How far is McCook, NE from Grand Island, NE?
The driving distance from McCook, NE to Grand Island, NE is about 149.3 miles (240.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.9 miles (209 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m 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 31m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McCook and Grand Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McCook and Grand Island.
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1
Start on Norris Avenue
1011 ft · 22 sec · Norris Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East H Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East H Street
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3
Turn right onto East 11th Street
2219 ft · 50 sec · East 11th Street
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4
Turn left onto East B Street
2595 ft · 1 min · East B Street
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5
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
9.8 mi · 11 min · Highway 6 & 34
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6
Continue on D Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · D Street
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7
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
4.9 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34
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8
Continue on Maple Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Maple Street
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9
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
6.8 mi · 8 min · Highway 6 & 34
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10
Continue on Nasby Street
8.6 mi · 11 min · Nasby Street
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11
Continue on 6 & 34 Highway Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 6 & 34 Highway Street
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12
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6 & 34
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13
Continue on Chestnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Chestnut Street
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14
Continue on Highway 6 & 34
21.8 mi · 25 min · Highway 6 & 34
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15
Continue on US Highway 6 & 34
9.2 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34
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16
Continue on West 4th Avenue
1964 ft · 50 sec · West 4th Avenue
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17
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · 4th Avenue
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18
Continue on US Highway 6 & 34
9.6 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6 & 34
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19
Continue on Highway 6
5.1 mi · 6 min · Highway 6
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20
Turn left
12.6 mi · 15 min
-
21
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 East
1700 ft · 42 sec
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22
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island
2525 ft · 1 min
-
24
Turn left onto South Locust Street
6.6 mi · 10 min · South Locust Street
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25
Continue on South Locust Street
76 m · 4 sec · South Locust Street
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26
Continue on South Walnut Street
1796 ft · 40 sec · South Walnut Street
-
27
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
122 m · 18 sec · West 3rd Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McCook and Grand Island.
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
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving McCook 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 McCook to Grand Island?
The road trip is about 149.3 miles (240.3 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?
Holdrege is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.8 miles from McCook and 74.6 miles from Grand Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.9 miles (209 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 1:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.87 one way or $39.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around McCook and Sunny near Grand Island.
Stop Ideas Near Holdrege
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 Holdrege.
Holdrege
Hastings
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McCook and Grand Island. Straight-line distance: 129.86 mi (208.99 km).
#1 McCook
McCook is a city in Red Willow County, Nebraska.
| Population | 7,499 |
| Coordinates | 40.2019500, -100.6257100 |
| Altitude | 784 |
| 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: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.87 | $39.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.41 | $44.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.53 | $49.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
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.