How far is Kearney, NE from Valley, NE?
The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Valley, NE is about 180.2 miles (290 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.8 miles (239.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m 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 17m.
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, 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 Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Valley.
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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
132.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
1893 ft · 46 sec
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7
Turn left onto North 56th Street
11.1 mi · 12 min · North 56th Street
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8
Continue on South Highway 77
555 ft · 10 sec · South Highway 77
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9
Continue on County Road 18
2.2 mi · 2 min · County Road 18
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10
Continue on Highway 77
11.6 mi · 13 min · Highway 77
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Road M
66 m · 3 sec · County Road M
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12
Exit the roundabout onto County Road M
5.2 mi · 6 min · County Road M
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13
Turn left onto County Road 11
5 mi · 6 min · County Road 11
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14
Turn right onto County Road R
4 mi · 5 min · County Road R
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15
Continue on County Road 7
1 km · 51 sec · County Road 7
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16
Turn right
3 mi · 5 min
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17
Turn right onto North 288th Street
2618 ft · 46 sec · North 288th Street
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18
Turn left onto West Valley Street
1 mi · 1 min · West Valley Street
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19
Turn right onto North West Street
99 m · 14 sec · North West Street
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20
Turn left onto West Gardiner Street
703 ft · 24 sec · West Gardiner Street
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21
Turn left onto North Spruce Street
23 m · 2 sec · North Spruce Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Spruce Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Valley.
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 East
Merge slight left
132 mi · 02h 17m
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 Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Valley?
The road trip is about 180.2 miles (290 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Waco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from Kearney and 90.2 miles from Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.8 miles (239.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.4 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 10:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.98 one way or $47.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 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 Valley.
Stop Ideas Near Waco
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 Waco.
Lincoln
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Valley. Straight-line distance: 148.77 mi (239.43 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 Valley
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,928 |
| Coordinates | 41.3127800, -96.3461400 |
| Altitude | 348 |
| Country | United States |
End: Valley (-96.34614, 41.31278)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.98 | $47.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.05 | $54.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.60 | $59.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.73 | $67.47 |
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.