How far is Pierce, NE from Kearney, NE?

The driving distance from Pierce, NE to Kearney, NE is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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
162.46 mi
02h 55m
Flight
131.22 mi
211.18 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pierce.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.22 mi
Kilometers
211.18 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.46 mi
Kilometers
261.46 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 9:42 AM CDT
Return by in Pierce
Thu, Apr 23, 12:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pierce
2026-04-23T06:46
Arrive Kearney
Thu, Apr 23, 9:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pierce
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
Clarks
NE

Village in the United States

From Pierce
85.2 mi
01h 27m
To Kearney
77.3 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 to 24 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 Pierce and Kearney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    55 m · 6 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Second Street

    989 ft · 49 sec · South Second Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Willow Street

    1198 ft · 24 sec · East Willow Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 13

    1247 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 13

  5. 5

    Continue on Highway 13

    7 mi · 8 min · Highway 13

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto Old Hadar Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Old Hadar Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West Eisenhower Avenue

    143 m · 17 sec · West Eisenhower Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North 13th Street

    2 mi · 2 min · North 13th Street

  9. 9

    Continue on South 13th Street

    39.7 mi · 43 min · South 13th Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto State Highway 22

    7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22

  11. 11

    Continue on Columbus Avenue

    2779 ft · 1 min · Columbus Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Gleason Street

    1138 ft · 31 sec · Gleason Street

  13. 13

    Continue on 370th Avenue

    8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Highway 30

    26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30

  15. 15

    Continue on 16th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 16th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on G Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · G Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway 30

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Husker Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Highway 34

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34

  21. 21

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street

  22. 22

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 41 min

  24. 24

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

    1748 ft · 34 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
28 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Locust Street
45.4 mi · 28%
Highway 30
43.8 mi · 27%
South 13th Street
39.7 mi · 24%
370th Avenue
8.92 mi · 5%
State Highway 22
7.76 mi · 5%
Highway 13
6.99 mi · 4%
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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.3 mi
131.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clarks
01h 27m from Pierce
Leave By
12:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Pierce 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 Pierce to Kearney?

The road trip is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Clarks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.2 miles from Pierce and 77.3 miles from Kearney.

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

The direct path is about 131.2 miles (211.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.61 one way or $43.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Clarks

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

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

RAIL

Hastings

84 mi away
501 West First St.
RAIL

Lincoln

104 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pierce and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 131.22 mi (211.18 km).

Pierce

#1 Pierce

City in Nebraska

Population1,734
Coordinates42.1991700, -97.5267200
Altitude482
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: East Main Street (-97.526718, 42.199041)
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.73 gal
21.7 L · about $21.61
Round trip
$43.22
11.46 gal · 43.4 L
Estimated CO2
50.9 kg one way
Round trip: 101.8 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.61 $43.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.37 $48.74
Premium $4.65 $26.67 $53.33
Diesel $5.30 $30.39 $60.78

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 Pierce and Kearney. The current time is 06:46:45.

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.