How far is Mitchell, NE from Grand Island, NE?

The driving distance from Mitchell, NE to Grand Island, NE is about 326.7 miles (525.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 291.7 miles (469.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
326.69 mi
05h 04m
Flight
291.68 mi
469.41 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mitchell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
291.68 mi
Kilometers
469.41 km
Flight Time
00h 35m

Driving Distance

Road route
326.69 mi
Kilometers
525.76 km
Drive Time
05h 04m

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 05h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grand Island
Sun, May 3, 8:31 AM CDT
Return by in Mitchell
Sun, May 3, 12:35 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mitchell
2026-05-03T02:27
Arrive Grand Island
Sun, May 3, 7:31 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:04 PM to 2:04 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:52 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mitchell
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Sutherland
NE

Historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county of Scotland

From Mitchell
163.2 mi
02h 32m
To Grand Island
163.5 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
38°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 1:00 AM MDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mitchell and Grand Island.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mitchell and Grand Island.

  1. 1

    Start on Center Avenue

    933 ft · 45 sec · Center Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Broadway Street

    2215 ft · 60 sec · Broadway Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway 26

    17.5 mi · 22 min · Highway 26

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Highway L79E

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Highway 92

    11 mi · 13 min · Highway 92

  6. 6

    Continue on US Highway 26

    12.5 mi · 15 min · US Highway 26

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    84 mi · 1 hr 39 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Spruce Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · North Spruce Street

  10. 10

    Turn left

    93 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South Highway 26/61

    1.4 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61

  12. 12

    Turn left onto I 80 east

    2067 ft · 52 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    186.6 mi · 3 hr 7 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island

    2525 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    6.6 mi · 10 min · South Locust Street

  16. 16

    Continue on South Locust Street

    76 m · 4 sec · South Locust Street

  17. 17

    Continue on South Walnut Street

    1796 ft · 40 sec · South Walnut Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    122 m · 18 sec · West 3rd Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mitchell and Grand Island.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 east
187 mi · 57%
Main Street
85 mi · 26%
Highway 26
17.5 mi · 5%
US Highway 26
12.5 mi · 4%
Highway 92
11 mi · 3%
South Locust Street
6.67 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 east

Merge slight left

187 mi · 03h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35 mi
291.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sutherland
02h 32m from Mitchell
Leave By
6:52 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Mitchell and Mostly Sunny near Grand Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mitchell to Grand Island?

The road trip is about 326.7 miles (525.8 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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?

Sutherland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.2 miles from Mitchell and 163.5 miles from Grand Island.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 291.7 miles (469.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 6:52 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.48 one way or $86.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.5 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Mitchell and Grand Island, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Mitchell and Mostly Sunny near Grand Island.

Stop Ideas Near Sutherland

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sutherland, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sutherland.

RAIL

McCook

115 mi away
101 Norris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mitchell and Grand Island. Straight-line distance: 291.68 mi (469.41 km).

Mitchell

#1 Mitchell

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population1,608
Coordinates41.9402400, -103.8085600
Altitude1205
CountryUnited States
Grand Island

#2 Grand Island

The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.

Population51,004
Coordinates40.9250100, -98.3420100
Altitude567
CountryUnited States
Start: 13th Street (-103.808562, 41.940154)
End: West 3rd Street (-98.342013, 40.925014)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 526 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.53 gal
43.64 L · about $43.48
Round trip
$86.96
23.06 gal · 87.28 L
Estimated CO2
102.5 kg one way
Round trip: 204.9 kg / 452 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $43.48 $86.96
Mid-grade $4.25 $49.04 $98.07
Premium $4.65 $53.66 $107.32
Diesel $5.30 $61.16 $122.31

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 03, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Mitchell, NE and Grand Island, NE. The current time in Mitchell is 02:27:02, although it is 03:27:02 in Grand Island.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.