How far is Kearney, NE from Sidney, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Sidney, NE is about 218.7 miles (351.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.7 miles (331 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 29m 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 44m.
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 Nebraska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Sidney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Sidney.
-
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
1.9 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West
2212 ft · 54 sec
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5
Merge slight left
168.4 mi · 2 hr 48 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Sidney, Cheyanne
43.5 mi · 43 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward NE 17J Link: Sidney, Bridgeport
1806 ft · 45 sec
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8
Turn right onto Upland Parkway
1.4 km · 1 min · Upland Parkway
-
9
Continue on Link 17J
1.2 mi · 2 min · Link 17J
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10
Turn left onto Illinois Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · Illinois Street
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11
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
723 ft · 17 sec · 10th Avenue
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12
Turn right onto King Street
106 m · 21 sec · King Street
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13
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · 11th Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 11th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Sidney.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
168 mi · 02h 48m
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 Mostly Sunny near Sidney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Sidney?
The road trip is about 218.7 miles (351.9 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?
Hershey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.1 miles from Kearney and 109.5 miles from Sidney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.7 miles (331 km), while the road route adds roughly 13 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 9:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.11 one way or $58.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Kearney and Sidney, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Kearney and Mostly Sunny near Sidney.
Stop Ideas Near Hershey
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 Hershey.
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Sidney. Straight-line distance: 205.7 mi (331.05 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 Sidney
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 6,235 |
| Coordinates | 41.1427600, -102.9779800 |
| Altitude | 1246 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sidney (-102.97798, 41.14276)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.11 | $58.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.83 | $65.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.93 | $71.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.95 | $81.89 |
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.