How far is Norfolk, NE from Kearney, NE?

The driving distance from Norfolk, NE to Kearney, NE is about 150.8 miles (242.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126 miles (202.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
150.83 mi
02h 42m
Flight
126.01 mi
202.8 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Norfolk.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.01 mi
Kilometers
202.8 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
150.83 mi
Kilometers
242.73 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 3:43 AM CDT
Return by in Norfolk
Thu, Apr 23, 6:26 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Norfolk
2026-04-23T01:01
Arrive Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 3:43 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Norfolk
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Central City
NE

City in Nebraska, United States

From Norfolk
78.7 mi
01h 21m
To Kearney
72.1 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Norfolk and Kearney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Norfolk and Kearney.

  1. 1

    Start on South 7th Street

    805 ft · 22 sec · South 7th Street

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Pasewalk Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · West Pasewalk Avenue

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto West Pasewalk Avenue

    2594 ft · 1 min · West Pasewalk Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South 13th Street

    39.2 mi · 42 min · South 13th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto State Highway 22

    7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22

  6. 6

    Continue on Columbus Avenue

    2779 ft · 1 min · Columbus Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Gleason Street

    1138 ft · 31 sec · Gleason Street

  8. 8

    Continue on 370th Avenue

    8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Highway 30

    26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30

  10. 10

    Continue on 16th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 16th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on G Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · G Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway 30

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Husker Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Highway 34

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 41 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument

    1748 ft · 34 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Norfolk and Kearney.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Locust Street
45.4 mi · 30%
Highway 30
43.8 mi · 29%
South 13th Street
39.2 mi · 26%
370th Avenue
8.92 mi · 6%
State Highway 22
7.76 mi · 5%
North Gunbarrel Road
4.05 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.8 mi
126 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Central City
01h 21m from Norfolk
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Norfolk and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Kearney.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Norfolk to Kearney?

The road trip is about 150.8 miles (242.7 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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 78.7 miles from Norfolk and 72.1 miles from Kearney.

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

The direct path is about 126 miles (202.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.06 one way or $40.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Norfolk and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Kearney.

Stop Ideas Near Central City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Central City, 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 Central City.

RAIL

Hastings

67 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

113 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Norfolk and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 126.01 mi (202.8 km).

Norfolk

#1 Norfolk

City in Madison County, Nebraska, United States

Population24,363
Coordinates42.0283400, -97.4170000
Altitude464
CountryUnited States
Kearney

#2 Kearney

City in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Population34,235
Coordinates40.6994600, -99.0814800
Altitude656
CountryUnited States
Start: South 7th Street (-97.416847, 42.028339)
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 243 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.32 gal
20.15 L · about $20.06
Round trip
$40.12
10.64 gal · 40.3 L
Estimated CO2
47.3 kg one way
Round trip: 94.6 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.06 $40.12
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.63 $45.25
Premium $4.65 $24.76 $49.52
Diesel $5.30 $28.22 $56.43

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

There is no time difference between Norfolk and Kearney. The current time is 01:01:16.

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.