How far is Lexington, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Lexington, NE to Kearney, NE is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35 miles (56.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 41m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lexington and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lexington and Kearney.
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1
Start on North Washington Street
735 ft · 25 sec · North Washington Street
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2
Turn left onto East 6th Street
759 ft · 23 sec · East 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
813 ft · 15 sec · North Jackson Street
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4
Continue on Plum Creek Parkway
2.5 mi · 4 min · Plum Creek Parkway
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5
Turn left onto I 80 East: Kearney
1623 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left
34.8 mi · 35 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1865 ft · 34 sec
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8
Turn left onto South 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · South 2nd Avenue
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9
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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10
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lexington 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
34.8 mi · 00h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Lexington and Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lexington to Kearney?
The road trip is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km) and usually takes 00h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Elm Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Lexington and 15.2 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35 miles (56.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.71 one way or $9.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Lexington and Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Elm Creek
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 Elm Creek.
Holdrege
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lexington and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 35.01 mi (56.34 km).
#1 Lexington
City in Dawson County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 10,109 |
| Coordinates | 40.7808400, -99.7415000 |
| Altitude | 729 |
| 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: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.71 | $9.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.32 | $10.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.82 | $11.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.63 | $13.26 |
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.