Origin
Kearney, NE
Evening in Kearney on Sunday
Local time
6:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kearney, NE to Hastings, NE
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
50.2 mi
81 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kearney, NE
Jean-Rene Chazottes
Hastings, NE
Angel Smith
Trip Overview
Spanning 50.2 miles across the Nebraska Great Plains, this route between Kearney and Hastings is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 4 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it functions perfectly as a quick day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend roughly $8 on fuel for the trek, making it an affordable option for travelers. The drive keeps you within the same region, ensuring a consistent landscape as you move from one Great Plains town to the next. It is a practical, no-fuss connection that is ideal if you are looking to get from point A to point B without any unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
25.1 miles from Kearney, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions between high-speed interstate travel and more localized roadways. With 56% of the journey spent on highways, you will encounter a blend of fast-paced stretches and more relaxed driving conditions. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on West Highway 6, which lasts for 16 miles. As you navigate the 50.2-mile distance, you will find yourself moving between I-80 and secondary routes like 40 Road. The character of the road is functional and direct, providing a steady pace that allows you to settle in behind the wheel without the fatigue of a long-haul interstate grind.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Highway 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 16 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 24th Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 4m drive. You will face about 14 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 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 24th Street
Turn right onto West 24th Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I 80 East
Navigation decision point
Toward I 80 East
4
15 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward NE 10C Link: Gibbon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward NE 10C Link: Gibbon
4
15.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
Lowell Road
Turn right onto Lowell Road
Navigation decision point
5
50 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
US 6 Business / West 3rd Street
Turn left onto US 6 Business / West 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Highway 6 | 16 mi | 18m |
| I 80 | 12.3 mi | 12m |
| 40 Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Lowell Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| W Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| 2nd Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| West 2nd Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
West Highway 6
— 16 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, NE and Hastings, NE.
1
Start on Central Avenue
51 ft
·
3 sec
·
Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto West 24th Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West 24th Street
3
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
2nd Avenue
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 80 East
5
Merge onto I 80
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward NE 10C Link: Gibbon
7
Turn right onto Lowell Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Lowell Road
8
Turn left onto W Road
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
W Road
9
Turn right onto 40 Road
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
40 Road
10
Turn left onto Q Road
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Q Road
11
Continue on Q Road
136 ft
·
7 sec
·
Q Road
12
Turn left onto US 6; US 34
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive
13
Continue on US 6; US 34
14 mi
·
16 min
·
West Highway 6
14
Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 34
146 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Highway 6
15
Continue on US 6; US 34
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Highway 6
16
Turn left onto South Marian Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marian Road
17
Turn right onto US 6 Business
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West 2nd Street
18
Turn left onto North Kansas Avenue
334 ft
·
22 sec
·
North Kansas Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 6 Business
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West 3rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 6 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility, allowing you to depart whenever it best suits your plans. You won't need to worry about planning for intermediate stops, as the entire 1 hour and 4 minute drive is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is quite low at $8, so filling up before you leave Kearney should easily get you to your destination and back. If you are comfortable with the mix of I-80 and West Highway 6, you will find the navigation straightforward. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep a close eye on your speed as you transition between the interstate and the local roads, as speed limits will shift as you enter and exit the smaller stretches.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 25.1 miles from Kearney, NE, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16 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 50.2 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.1 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hastings, 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 50.2 miles and 1h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kearney, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on West Highway 6 for about 16 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.1 mi from Kearney, NE · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from Kearney, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hastings, NE
The final approach into Hastings, 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 Hastings, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.62 one way
$15.25 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $8.41 | $16.81 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.48 | $18.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.15 | $22.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Hastings, NE
Evening in Hastings on Sunday
Local time
6:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 4m 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 Hastings, NE covers 50.2 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Highway 6, I 80, 40 Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.1 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 $7.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 4m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Kearney, NE to Hastings, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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