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Trip from Kearney, NE to Ainsworth, NE

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

157.2 mi

253 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
city in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Kearney, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ainsworth, NE, NE

Ainsworth, NE

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

The drive from Kearney, NE to Ainsworth, NE covers 157.2 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Highway 183, State Highway 7, Highway 91 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34.4 miles on Highway 183. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.58 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

78.6 miles from Kearney, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 157.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 5m highway drive covering 157.2 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 183 and State Highway 7. The longest continuous stretch is about 34.4 miles on Highway 183.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 183 is the longest continuous segment at about 34.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 183 and State Highway 7. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 2nd Avenue.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Kearney, NE to Ainsworth, NE is easy. At 3h 5m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (N-10 / 2nd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 49.1 miles (US 183 / Highway 183): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | 2nd Avenue

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
3.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | N-10 / 2nd Avenue

Enter roundabout onto N-10 / 2nd Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
49.1 mi into trip | ~1h in | US 183 / Highway 183

Turn left onto US 183 / Highway 183

Navigation decision point

4
83.7 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | N-91 / Broadway Street

Turn left onto N-91 / Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

4
113.6 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in | N-7 / Highway 7

Turn right onto N-7 / Highway 7

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Highway 183 34.4 mi 39m
State Highway 7 32 mi 36m
Highway 91 29.5 mi 34m
Highway 2 21.4 mi 24m
Highway 10 21.2 mi 24m
Highway 7 11 mi 12m
2nd Avenue 5.9 mi 9m
South Main Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Highway 183 — 34.4 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, NE and Ainsworth, NE.

1

Start on Central Avenue

321 ft · 10 sec · Central Avenue
2

Turn left onto US 30; I 80 Alt

0.1 mi · 29 sec · West 25th Street
3

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

3.4 mi · 6 min · 2nd Avenue
4

Enter roundabout onto N-10

192 ft · 8 sec · 2nd Avenue
5

Continue on N-10

2.5 mi · 2 min · 2nd Avenue
6

Continue on N-10

21 mi · 24 min · Highway 10
7

Turn left onto N-2

21 mi · 24 min · Highway 2
8

Turn right onto US 183; N-92

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Highway 92
9

Turn left onto US 183

34 mi · 39 min · Highway 183
10

Continue on US 183; N-91

0.2 mi · 27 sec · 3rd Street
11

Turn left onto N-91

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Broadway Street
12

Continue on N-91

29 mi · 34 min · Highway 91
13

Turn right onto N-7

11 mi · 12 min · Highway 7
14

Continue on N-7

32 mi · 36 min · State Highway 7
15

Continue on N-7

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
16

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.6 miles from Kearney, NE, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.4 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 35 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78.6 miles or 1h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ainsworth, NE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kearney, NE so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Kearney, NE

This is one driving day of about 157.2 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Kearney, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Highway 183 for about 34.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 78.6 mi from Kearney, NE · 1h 34m into the drive

Downtown Arcadia, NE, NE

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Arcadia, NE

79 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Arcadia, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Burwell, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.6 miles from Kearney, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ainsworth, NE

The final approach into Ainsworth, NE usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Ainsworth, NE.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 157.2

Ainsworth, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Big Apple Fun Center

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Kearney, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+13082344545

Visit website

Kearney Area Children's Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Kearney, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13086982228

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.58 one way

$49.15 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.98 $53.97
premium $4.89 $30.25 $60.50
diesel $5.61 $34.71 $69.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.2 0 $16.51 $7.55
Efficient EV 39.3 0 $13.75 $6.29
EV Truck/SUV 62.9 0 $22.01 $10.06

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Kearney, NE

Afternoon in Kearney on Friday

Local time

2:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ainsworth, NE

Afternoon in Ainsworth on Friday

Local time

2:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

81°F

Arcadia, NE

79 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 5m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Kearney, NE to Ainsworth, NE covers 157.2 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Highway 183, State Highway 7, Highway 91. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 78.6 miles from Kearney, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.58 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The drive from Kearney, NE to Ainsworth, NE is easy. At 3h 5m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (N-10 / 2nd Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 49.1 miles (US 183 / Highway 183): Navigation decision point.

The route from Kearney, NE to Ainsworth, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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