How far is Pender, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Pender, NE to Kearney, NE is about 188.4 miles (303.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.1 miles (252.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Merrick County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pender and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pender and Kearney.
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1
Start on Main Street
11 m · 5 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto 4th Street
1 km · 1 min · 4th Street
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3
Continue on Highway 9
16.9 mi · 25 min · Highway 9
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 275
2242 ft · 34 sec · Highway 275
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5
Continue on North Lincoln Street
1.8 mi · 2 min · North Lincoln Street
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6
Continue on Highway 275
8.6 mi · 9 min · Highway 275
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7
Turn right onto State Highway 91
94 m · 6 sec · State Highway 91
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8
Continue on Highway 91
3.7 mi · 4 min · Highway 91
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9
Continue on 4th Street
3104 ft · 1 min · 4th Street
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10
Continue on Highway 91
6 mi · 7 min · Highway 91
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11
Continue on Road W
7.9 mi · 9 min · Road W
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12
Turn left onto Road 11
16.9 mi · 20 min · Road 11
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13
Take the ramp right toward US 30 West: Columbus
2546 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Road F
10.4 mi · 11 min · Road F
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15
Continue on 23rd Street East
4.5 mi · 7 min · 23rd Street East
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16
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
2742 ft · 55 sec · 10th Avenue
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17
Continue on 15th Street
645 ft · 16 sec · 15th Street
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18
Turn left onto 12th Avenue
2708 ft · 56 sec · 12th Avenue
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19
Turn right onto 8th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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20
Turn left onto 33rd Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · 33rd Avenue
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21
Take the exit slight right
806 ft · 21 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto South 9th Street
2.7 mi · 3 min · South 9th Street
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23
Continue on US Highway 30
10.4 mi · 12 min · US Highway 30
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24
Continue on Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
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25
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
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26
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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27
Continue on Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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28
Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road
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29
Continue on Husker Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway
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30
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
-
31
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street
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32
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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33
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
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34
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
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35
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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36
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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37
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pender and Kearney.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Pender and Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pender to Kearney?
The road trip is about 188.4 miles (303.2 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Silver Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.9 miles from Pender and 90.6 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.1 miles (252.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.08 one way or $50.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Pender and Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Silver Creek
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 Silver Creek.
Lincoln
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pender and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 157.13 mi (252.87 km).
#1 Pender
Village in Nebraska, USA
| Population | 1,100 |
| Coordinates | 42.1141600, -96.7072600 |
| Altitude | 409 |
| 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: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.08 | $50.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.28 | $56.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.95 | $61.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.27 | $70.54 |
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.