How far is Madison, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Madison, NE to Kearney, NE is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115 miles (185 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m 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 23m.
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.
City in Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Kearney.
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1
Start on the route
5 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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3
Turn right
24.2 mi · 26 min
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4
Turn right onto State Highway 22
7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22
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5
Continue on Columbus Avenue
2779 ft · 1 min · Columbus Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Gleason Street
1138 ft · 31 sec · Gleason Street
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7
Continue on 370th Avenue
8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue
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8
Turn right onto Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
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9
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
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10
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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11
Continue on Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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12
Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road
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13
Continue on Husker Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway
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14
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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15
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street
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16
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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17
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
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19
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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20
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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21
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Kearney.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
South Locust Street
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Madison and Partly Cloudy near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Kearney?
The road trip is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?
Central City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.3 miles from Madison and 62.4 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115 miles (185 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.80 one way or $35.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Madison and Partly Cloudy near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Central City
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 Central City.
Hastings
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 114.97 mi (185.03 km).
#1 Madison
City in Madison County, Florida, United States
| Population | 2,343 |
| Coordinates | 41.8283400, -97.4550500 |
| Altitude | 483 |
| 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: 215 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.80 | $35.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.07 | $40.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.97 | $43.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.03 | $50.07 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.