How far is Kearney, NE from Pierce, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Pierce, NE is about 172.1 miles (277 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Pierce.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Pierce.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
16 m · 4 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 32 sec · West 24th Street
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3
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue
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4
Turn left onto I 80 East
1626 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island
2525 ft · 1 min
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7
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.4 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street
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8
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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9
Turn left onto Husker Highway
1.2 km · 59 sec · Husker Highway
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10
Continue on South Gunbarrel Road
4 mi · 6 min · South Gunbarrel Road
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11
Turn right onto Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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12
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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13
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
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14
Continue on Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
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15
Turn left onto 370th Avenue
8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue
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16
Continue on Gleason Street
1138 ft · 33 sec · Gleason Street
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17
Turn right onto Columbus Avenue
2779 ft · 55 sec · Columbus Avenue
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18
Continue on State Highway 22
7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22
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19
At the end of the road, turn left
44.7 mi · 49 min
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20
Turn left onto Highway 13
1.6 km · 1 min · Highway 13
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21
Continue on Main Street
1977 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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22
Turn straight onto Highway 13
7 mi · 8 min · Highway 13
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23
Continue on State Highway 13
1247 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 13
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24
Continue on East Willow Street
1766 ft · 35 sec · East Willow Street
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25
Turn right onto South Lucas Street
1048 ft · 27 sec · South Lucas Street
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26
Turn right onto West Main Street
155 m · 10 sec · West Main Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Pierce.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Longest stretch
At the end of the road, turn left
44.7 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Kearney and Chance Rain Showers near Pierce.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Pierce?
The road trip is about 172.1 miles (277 km) and usually takes 03h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clarks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86 miles from Kearney and 86.1 miles from Pierce.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Kearney and Chance Rain Showers near Pierce.
Stop Ideas Near Clarks
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clarks.
Hastings
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Pierce. Straight-line distance: 131.22 mi (211.18 km).
#1 Kearney
City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 34,235 |
| Coordinates | 40.6994600, -99.0814800 |
| Altitude | 656 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pierce
City in Nebraska
| Population | 1,734 |
| Coordinates | 42.1991700, -97.5267200 |
| Altitude | 482 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pierce (-97.52672, 42.19917)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.89 | $45.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.25 | $56.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.20 | $64.39 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Nebraska · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.