How far is Valentine, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Valentine, NE to Kearney, NE is about 195.7 miles (315 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m 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 17m.
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 Blaine County, Nebraska, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Valentine and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valentine and Kearney.
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1
Start on West 2nd Street
34 m · 7 sec · West 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1892 ft · 32 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn left onto West C Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · West C Street
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4
Turn right
58.1 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 2
14.9 mi · 17 min · Highway 2
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6
Continue on Jewett Avenue
50.6 mi · 59 min · Jewett Avenue
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7
Continue on South E Street
2.1 mi · 2 min · South E Street
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8
Continue on Highway 2
36.8 mi · 42 min · Highway 2
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9
Turn right onto Highway 10
21.2 mi · 24 min · Highway 10
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10
Continue on 2nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 2nd Avenue
52 m · 7 sec · 2nd Avenue
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12
Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Avenue
3.4 mi · 6 min · 2nd Avenue
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13
Turn left onto West 25th Street
812 ft · 29 sec · West 25th Street
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14
Turn right onto Central Avenue
98 m · 9 sec · Central Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Valentine and Kearney.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn right
58.1 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Valentine and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Valentine to Kearney?
The road trip is about 195.7 miles (315 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Dunning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.6 miles from Valentine and 98.1 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.06 one way or $52.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Valentine and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kearney.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Valentine and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 168.16 mi (270.63 km).
#1 Valentine
City in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,745 |
| Coordinates | 42.8727800, -100.5509700 |
| Altitude | 787 |
| 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: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.06 | $52.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.39 | $58.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.16 | $64.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.65 | $73.30 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.