How far is Wakefield, NE from Kearney, NE?
The driving distance from Wakefield, NE to Kearney, NE is about 188.7 miles (303.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m 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 22m.
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 Merrick County, Nebraska, United States of America
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 Wakefield and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wakefield and Kearney.
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1
Start on 3rd Street
779 ft · 36 sec · 3rd Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Oak Street
2554 ft · 45 sec · Oak Street
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3
Continue on Highway 35
1.8 mi · 2 min · Highway 35
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4
Continue on Highway 35
6.9 mi · 8 min · Highway 35
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5
Continue on East 7th Street
2.1 mi · 5 min · East 7th Street
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6
Continue on Highway 35
7 mi · 8 min · Highway 35
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7
Continue on Highway 35
21.6 mi · 26 min · Highway 35
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Highway 35
93 m · 5 sec · Highway 35
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 35
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 35
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10
Turn right onto East Omaha Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · East Omaha Avenue
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11
Turn left onto South 13th Street
38.7 mi · 42 min · South 13th Street
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12
Turn right onto State Highway 22
7.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 22
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13
Continue on Columbus Avenue
2779 ft · 1 min · Columbus Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Gleason Street
1138 ft · 31 sec · Gleason Street
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15
Continue on 370th Avenue
8.9 mi · 11 min · 370th Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Highway 30
26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
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17
Continue on 16th Street
1 km · 1 min · 16th Street
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18
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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19
Continue on Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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20
Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road
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21
Continue on Husker Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway
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22
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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23
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street
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24
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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25
Merge slight left
40.8 mi · 41 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
1748 ft · 34 sec
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27
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
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28
Turn right onto West 24th Street
730 ft · 37 sec · West 24th Street
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29
Turn left onto Central Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wakefield and Kearney.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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 Wakefield and Sunny near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wakefield to Kearney?
The road trip is about 188.7 miles (303.7 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Silver Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.9 miles from Wakefield and 88.9 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.9 miles (254.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.11 one way or $50.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wakefield and Sunny near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Silver Creek
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 Silver Creek.
Lincoln
Hastings
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wakefield and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 157.87 mi (254.06 km).
#1 Wakefield
City in Nebraska
| Population | 1,362 |
| Coordinates | 42.2691700, -96.8650400 |
| Altitude | 428 |
| 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: 304 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.11 | $50.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.32 | $56.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.00 | $61.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.32 | $70.65 |
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.