How far is Kimball, NE from Grand Island, NE?
The driving distance from Kimball, NE to Grand Island, NE is about 301.6 miles (485.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 277.9 miles (447.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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 04h 22m.
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.
City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kimball and Grand Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimball and Grand Island.
-
1
Start on South Chesnut Street
13 m · 8 sec · South Chesnut Street
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2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East 3rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Link 53E
1568 ft · 27 sec · Link 53E
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Link 53E
60 m · 3 sec · Link 53E
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Link 53E
142 m · 12 sec · Link 53E
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6
Turn right onto South Highway 71
1.1 mi · 1 min · South Highway 71
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 east
1250 ft · 31 sec
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8
Merge slight left
290.8 mi · 4 hr 51 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island
2525 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto South Locust Street
6.6 mi · 10 min · South Locust Street
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11
Continue on South Locust Street
76 m · 4 sec · South Locust Street
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12
Continue on South Walnut Street
1796 ft · 40 sec · South Walnut Street
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13
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
122 m · 18 sec · West 3rd Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kimball and Grand Island.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 east
Merge slight left
291 mi · 04h 51m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Kimball and Sunny near Grand Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kimball to Grand Island?
The road trip is about 301.6 miles (485.4 km) and usually takes 04h 22m 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?
North Platte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.3 miles from Kimball and 151.3 miles from Grand Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 277.9 miles (447.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:16 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.12 one way or $80.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Kimball and Grand Island, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Kimball and Sunny near Grand Island.
Stop Ideas Near North Platte
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 North Platte.
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kimball and Grand Island. Straight-line distance: 277.91 mi (447.26 km).
#1 Kimball
City in Kimball County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,282 |
| Coordinates | 41.2358100, -103.6630000 |
| Altitude | 1437 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Grand Island
The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.
| Population | 51,004 |
| Coordinates | 40.9250100, -98.3420100 |
| Altitude | 567 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 3rd Street (-98.342013, 40.925014)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 485 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.12 | $80.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.25 | $90.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.52 | $99.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.43 | $112.87 |
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.