Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
126.6 mi
204 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kearney, NE
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Kearney, NE to David City, NE covers 126.6 miles and takes about 2h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, Highway 30, County Road 130 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.8 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.79 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.
Midpoint
63.3 miles from Kearney, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 126.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 2h 29m highway drive covering 126.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Highway 30. The longest continuous stretch is about 40.8 miles on I 80.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 30. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 24th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 29m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 43.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto West 24th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left toward I 80 East
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Grand Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34
Navigation decision point
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kearney, NE to David City, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Island along the way.
Grand Island
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 40.8 mi | 40m |
| Highway 30 | 26.1 mi | 30m |
| County Road 130 | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| 31 Road | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| Highway 81 & 92 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| South Locust Street | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| South Gunbarrel Road | 4 mi | 5m |
| Highway 92 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, NE and David City, NE.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn right onto West 24th Street
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn left onto South Locust Street
Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt
Turn left onto Husker Highway
Continue on South Gunbarrel Road
Turn right onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Take the exit
Turn left onto N-92
Continue on N-92
Continue on US 81; N-92
Continue on US 81; N-92
Continue on US 81; N-92
Continue on N-92
Continue on N-92
Turn left onto N-15
Continue on N-15
Turn right onto East D Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 12m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near David City, NE than in the middle of the route.
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 126.6 miles and 2h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.3 mi from Kearney, NE · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Kearney, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into David City, 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 David City, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.79 one way
$39.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.73 | $43.46 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.36 | $48.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.72 | $8.10 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Kearney on Thursday
Local time
3:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in David City on Thursday
Local time
3:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
80°F
Central City, NE
63 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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