How far is Nebraska City, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Nebraska City, NE to Kearney, NE is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m 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 50m.
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 Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nebraska City and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nebraska City and Kearney.
-
1
Start on Central Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Steinhart Park Road
2314 ft · 49 sec · Steinhart Park Road
-
3
Turn right onto 4th Corso
1.4 km · 2 min · 4th Corso
-
4
Keep slight left
1723 ft · 29 sec
-
5
Keep slight left
3111 ft · 48 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Highway 2
10.5 mi · 11 min · Highway 2
-
7
Continue on I Road
2.2 mi · 2 min · I Road
-
8
Continue on Highway 2
2.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 2
-
9
Continue on H Road
3.5 mi · 4 min · H Road
-
10
Continue on Highway 2
2.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 2
-
11
Continue on F Road
4.7 mi · 5 min · F Road
-
12
Continue on Highway 2
1.1 km · 56 sec · Highway 2
-
13
Continue on F Road
3 mi · 3 min · F Road
-
14
Continue on Rokeby Road
4 mi · 4 min · Rokeby Road
-
15
Continue on Nebraska Highway 2
1.6 km · 1 min · Nebraska Highway 2
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward To Lincoln via Nebraska Parkway, 120th Street
1927 ft · 47 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on To Lincoln via Nebraska Parkway
614 ft · 15 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto Nebraska Parkway
9 mi · 14 min · Nebraska Parkway
-
19
Continue on South 10th Street
1791 ft · 38 sec · South 10th Street
-
20
Turn slight left onto To I 80, To US 77: West Van Dorn Street
1232 ft · 47 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto Van Dorn Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Van Dorn Street
-
22
Take the ramp straight toward US 77 north, To I 80
1828 ft · 45 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Homestead Expressway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Homestead Expressway
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Grand Island
1.3 km · 2 min
-
25
Merge slight left
124.3 mi · 2 hr 8 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
-
27
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
-
28
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
-
29
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nebraska City 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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Nebraska City and Mostly Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nebraska City to Kearney?
The road trip is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Waco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.6 miles from Nebraska City and 89.5 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.83 one way or $47.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Nebraska City and Mostly Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Waco
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 Waco.
Lincoln
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nebraska City and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 168.82 mi (271.69 km).
#1 Nebraska City
City and county seat of Otoe County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 7,292 |
| Coordinates | 40.6766700, -95.8591700 |
| Altitude | 322 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.