How far is Lincoln, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Lincoln, NE to Kearney, NE is about 133 miles (214 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 02m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Hamilton County, in the state Nebraska in the Midwestern United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lincoln and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln and Kearney.
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1
Start on B Street
93 m · 16 sec · B Street
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2
Turn left onto South 37th Street
103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street
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3
Turn right onto A Street
1983 ft · 55 sec · A Street
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4
Turn slight right onto Capitol Parkway
1.2 mi · 3 min · Capitol Parkway
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5
Continue on L Street
1.5 km · 3 min · L Street
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6
Continue on Rosa Parks Way
1.9 mi · 3 min · Rosa Parks Way
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 north, To I 80
1619 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Homestead Expressway
1.2 km · 57 sec · Homestead Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Grand Island
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left
124.3 mi · 2 hr 8 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
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12
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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13
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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14
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lincoln 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 West
Merge slight left
124 mi · 02h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny leaving Lincoln and Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lincoln to Kearney?
The road trip is about 133 miles (214 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Hampton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.4 miles from Lincoln and 66.5 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.69 one way or $35.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Sunny around Lincoln and Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Hampton
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 Hampton.
Hastings
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lincoln and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 126.57 mi (203.69 km).
#1 Lincoln
The capital of Nebraska and the center of the Lincoln metropolitan area.
| Population | 290,505 |
| Coordinates | 40.8000000, -96.6669600 |
| Altitude | 367 |
| 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: 214 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.69 | $35.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.95 | $39.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.83 | $43.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.88 | $49.75 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.