How far is South Sioux City, NE from Kearney, NE?

The driving distance from South Sioux City, NE to Kearney, NE is about 224.6 miles (361.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 184.5 miles (296.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
224.61 mi
04h 05m
Flight
184.48 mi
296.89 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Sioux City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
184.48 mi
Kilometers
296.89 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
224.61 mi
Kilometers
361.47 km
Drive Time
04h 05m

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 04h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kearney
Sat, May 2, 6:09 AM CDT
Return by in South Sioux City
Sat, May 2, 10:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Sioux City
2026-05-02T02:04
Arrive Kearney
Sat, May 2, 6:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:05 AM to 12:05 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Sioux City
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Oconee
NE

Township in Platte County, Nebraska

From South Sioux City
116.3 mi
02h 02m
To Kearney
108.3 mi
02h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Saturday

Areas Of Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Sioux City and Kearney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Sioux City and Kearney.

  1. 1

    Start on Dakota Avenue

    1499 ft · 55 sec · Dakota Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 21st Street

    1 km · 1 min · West 21st Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Highway 77

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Highway 77

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West

    2387 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.1 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Highway 110

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Highway 110

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Highway 35

    24.2 mi · 29 min · Highway 35

  8. 8

    Continue on Highway 35

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway 35

  9. 9

    Continue on Oak Street

    2956 ft · 52 sec · Oak Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 35

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Highway 35

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 35

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Highway 35

  12. 12

    Continue on East 7th Street

    2.1 mi · 5 min · East 7th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Highway 35

    7 mi · 8 min · Highway 35

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 35

    21.6 mi · 26 min · Highway 35

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Highway 35

    93 m · 5 sec · Highway 35

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 35

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 35

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Omaha Avenue

    2.3 mi · 3 min · East Omaha Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South 13th Street

    38.7 mi · 42 min · South 13th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto State Highway 22

    7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22

  20. 20

    Continue on Columbus Avenue

    2779 ft · 1 min · Columbus Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Gleason Street

    1138 ft · 31 sec · Gleason Street

  22. 22

    Continue on 370th Avenue

    8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Highway 30

    26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30

  24. 24

    Continue on 16th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 16th Street

  25. 25

    Continue on G Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · G Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Highway 30

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30

  27. 27

    Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road

  28. 28

    Continue on Husker Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Highway 34

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34

  30. 30

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street

  31. 31

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  32. 32

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 41 min

  33. 33

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

    1748 ft · 34 sec

  34. 34

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue

  35. 35

    Turn right onto West 24th Street

    730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street

  36. 36

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  37. 37

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Sioux City and Kearney.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
37 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 35
64.4 mi · 29%
South Locust Street
45.4 mi · 20%
Highway 30
43.8 mi · 19%
South 13th Street
38.7 mi · 17%
370th Avenue
8.92 mi · 4%
State Highway 22
7.76 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 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.

Drive Time
04h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.1 mi
184.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Oconee
02h 02m from South Sioux City
Leave By
8:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Sunny leaving South Sioux City and Sunny near Kearney.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Sioux City to Kearney?

The road trip is about 224.6 miles (361.5 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?

Oconee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.3 miles from South Sioux City and 108.3 miles from Kearney.

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

The direct path is about 184.5 miles (296.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.1 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 8:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.90 one way or $59.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Sunny around South Sioux City and Sunny near Kearney.

Stop Ideas Near Oconee

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

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

RAIL

Lincoln

99 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Sioux City and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 184.48 mi (296.89 km).

South Sioux City

#1 South Sioux City

City in Dakota County, Nebraska, United States

Population12,809
Coordinates42.4738800, -96.4136400
Altitude337
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: Dakota Avenue (-96.413706, 42.473915)
End: Central Avenue (-99.081657, 40.699462)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 361 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.93 gal
30 L · about $29.90
Round trip
$59.81
15.86 gal · 60 L
Estimated CO2
70.5 kg one way
Round trip: 140.9 kg / 311 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.90 $59.81
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.73 $67.45
Premium $4.65 $36.91 $73.81
Diesel $5.30 $42.06 $84.12

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 · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between South Sioux City and Kearney. The current time is 02:04:08.

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.