How far is Valley, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Valley, NE to Kearney, NE is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.8 miles (239.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in 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 Valley and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley and Kearney.
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1
Start on North Spruce Street
23 m · 4 sec · North Spruce Street
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2
Turn right onto East Gardiner Street
703 ft · 21 sec · East Gardiner Street
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3
Turn right onto North West Street
99 m · 14 sec · North West Street
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4
Turn left onto West Valley Street
1 mi · 1 min · West Valley Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto North 288th Street
2618 ft · 46 sec · North 288th Street
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6
Turn left onto Ida Street
3 mi · 5 min · Ida Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 7
1.1 km · 49 sec · County Road 7
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8
Turn straight onto County Road R
4 mi · 5 min · County Road R
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9
Turn left onto County Road 11
4.9 mi · 6 min · County Road 11
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10
Take the exit slight right
5.2 mi · 6 min
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
47 m · 2 sec · Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
11.7 mi · 13 min · Highway 77;Wahoo Expressway
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13
Continue on County Road 18
1.8 mi · 2 min · County Road 18
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14
Continue on North Highway 77
2678 ft · 44 sec · North Highway 77
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15
Continue on County Road 18
10.9 mi · 12 min · County Road 18
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west
32.2 mi · 37 min
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17
Continue straight
100.6 mi · 1 hr 41 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
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19
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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20
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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21
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Valley 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.
I 80 west
Continue straight
101 mi · 01h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Valley and Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Valley to Kearney?
The road trip is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Waco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Valley and 90.5 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.8 miles (239.4 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 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.98 one way or $47.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Valley and Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Waco
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 Waco.
Lincoln
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Valley and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 148.77 mi (239.43 km).
#1 Valley
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,928 |
| Coordinates | 41.3127800, -96.3461400 |
| Altitude | 348 |
| 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: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.98 | $47.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.05 | $54.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.60 | $59.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.73 | $67.47 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.