How far is Kearney, NE from Wahoo, NE?

The driving distance from Kearney, NE to Wahoo, NE is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
158.22 mi
02h 50m
Flight
133.2 mi
214.37 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kearney.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
133.2 mi
Kilometers
214.37 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
158.22 mi
Kilometers
254.63 km
Drive Time
02h 50m

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 02h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wahoo
Tue, May 12, 9:44 PM CDT
Return by in Kearney
Wed, May 13, 12:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kearney
2026-05-12T18:53
Arrive Wahoo
Tue, May 12, 9:44 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kearney
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
York
NE

City in Nebraska, USA

From Kearney
79 mi
01h 25m
To Wahoo
79.2 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, May 12 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kearney and Wahoo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kearney and Wahoo.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    16 m · 4 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 32 sec · West 24th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    2.2 mi · 5 min · 2nd Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 80 East

    1626 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    132.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo

    1893 ft · 46 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto North 56th Street

    11.1 mi · 12 min · North 56th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on South Highway 77

    555 ft · 10 sec · South Highway 77

  9. 9

    Continue on County Road 18

    2.2 mi · 2 min · County Road 18

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 77

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Highway 77

  11. 11

    Turn right onto County Road J

    3131 ft · 54 sec · County Road J

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South Chestnut Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Chestnut Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West 6th Street

    718 ft · 37 sec · West 6th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Broadway Street

    51 m · 13 sec · North Broadway Street

  15. 15

    Turn left

    29 m · 7 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kearney and Wahoo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
133 mi · 84%
North 56th Street
11.1 mi · 7%
Highway 77
7.2 mi · 5%
2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 1%
County Road 18
2.16 mi · 1%
South Chestnut Street
1.34 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25 mi
133.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
York
01h 25m from Kearney
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Kearney and Mostly Sunny near Wahoo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kearney to Wahoo?

The road trip is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km) and usually takes 02h 50m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

York is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79 miles from Kearney and 79.2 miles from Wahoo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.04 one way or $42.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Kearney and Mostly Sunny near Wahoo.

Stop Ideas Near York

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around York, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to York.

RAIL

Hastings

74 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

74 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Wahoo. Straight-line distance: 133.2 mi (214.37 km).

Kearney

#1 Kearney

City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Population34,235
Coordinates40.6994600, -99.0814800
Altitude656
CountryUnited States
Wahoo

#2 Wahoo

City in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States

Population4,603
Coordinates41.2113900, -96.6203000
Altitude369
CountryUnited States
Start: Kearney (-99.08148, 40.69946)
End: Wahoo (-96.6203, 41.21139)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 255 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.58 gal
21.13 L · about $21.04
Round trip
$42.08
11.16 gal · 42.26 L
Estimated CO2
49.6 kg one way
Round trip: 99.2 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.04 $42.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.73 $47.46
Premium $4.65 $25.97 $51.94
Diesel $5.30 $29.60 $59.19

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Kearney and Wahoo. The current time is 18:53:38.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.