How far is Kimball, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Kimball, NE to Kearney, NE is about 255.4 miles (411.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 241.8 miles (389.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m 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 03h 41m.
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.
Human settlement in Keith County, Nebraska, United States of America
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 Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimball and Kearney.
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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
249.5 mi · 4 hr 10 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1865 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn left onto South 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · South 2nd Avenue
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11
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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12
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kimball and Kearney.
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
249 mi · 04h 10m
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 Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kimball to Kearney?
The road trip is about 255.4 miles (411.1 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?
Paxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.3 miles from Kimball and 128.2 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 241.8 miles (389.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 9:38 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.98 one way or $67.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Kimball and Kearney, 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 Kearney.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kimball and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 241.85 mi (389.22 km).
#1 Kimball
City in Kimball County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,282 |
| Coordinates | 41.2358100, -103.6630000 |
| Altitude | 1437 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 411 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.98 | $67.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.32 | $76.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.93 | $83.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.79 | $95.58 |
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.