How far is Plainview, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Plainview, NE to Kearney, NE is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.1 miles (212.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 02m 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 01m.
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.
City in Nance County, Nebraska, United States
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 Plainview and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainview and Kearney.
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1
Start on South Maple Street
119 m · 23 sec · South Maple Street
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2
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
2802 ft · 1 min · West Park Avenue
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3
Continue on Highway 20
11.6 mi · 13 min · Highway 20
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4
Turn left onto Highway 14
14.7 mi · 17 min · Highway 14
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5
Continue on S Street
1750 ft · 35 sec · S Street
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6
Continue on Highway 14
10.6 mi · 12 min · Highway 14
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7
Continue on 2nd Street
1 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street
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8
Continue on Highway 14
8.2 mi · 9 min · Highway 14
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9
Continue on Front Street
3224 ft · 1 min · Front Street
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10
Continue on Highway 14
12.1 mi · 14 min · Highway 14
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11
Continue on North 6th Street
1979 ft · 44 sec · North 6th Street
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12
Turn left onto West State Street
1879 ft · 38 sec · West State Street
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13
Continue on Highway 14
1.6 km · 1 min · Highway 14
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Highway 14
12.6 mi · 15 min · Highway 14
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15
Continue on State Highway 14
8.9 mi · 10 min · State Highway 14
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16
Continue on North Johnson Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Johnson Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 14
4.4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 14
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18
Continue on Highway 14
7.1 mi · 8 min · Highway 14
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19
Turn right onto Highway 92
1 mi · 1 min · Highway 92
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20
Turn left onto Highway 14
4 mi · 5 min · Highway 14
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21
Continue on 17th Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · 17th Avenue
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22
Turn slight right onto G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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23
Continue on Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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24
Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road
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25
Continue on Husker Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway
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26
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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27
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street
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28
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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29
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
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31
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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32
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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33
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainview 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.
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 Plainview and Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Plainview to Kearney?
The road trip is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Fullerton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.7 miles from Plainview and 90.8 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.1 miles (212.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.4 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 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Plainview and Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Fullerton
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 Fullerton.
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainview and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 132.1 mi (212.59 km).
#1 Plainview
City in Pierce County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 1,197 |
| Coordinates | 42.3497300, -97.7920100 |
| Altitude | 513 |
| 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: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.76 | $47.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.42 | $66.83 |
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.