Origin
Kearney, NE
Late night in Kearney on Wednesday
Local time
2:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kearney, NE to Yutan, NE
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
172.1 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kearney, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 172.1-mile drive from Kearney, NE, to Yutan, NE, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80 and Highway 77, you'll experience a route that is 84% highway, making it a focused drive across the Great Plains. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it’s an economical option for a quick journey. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pacing. You'll be traveling within the same state and region, so expect consistent landscapes throughout.
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
86 miles from Kearney, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 172.1-mile journey, with 84% of the route on interstates and major highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 132.5 miles on I-80, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. The transition from I-80 to Highway 77 and then to North 56th Street will introduce some variation as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive that is primarily about efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 132.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 77. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 24th Street.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Kearney, NE to Yutan, NE is easy. At 3h 7m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 2.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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
3
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
US 77
Take the exit onto US 77 toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
4
160.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
US 77; N-92 / County Road M
Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92 / County Road M
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kearney, NE to Yutan, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Wahoo along the way.
Wahoo
135.2 mi in
|
~2h 23m
|
via US 77
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 132.5 mi | 2h 17m |
| Highway 77 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| North 56th Street | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| County Road M | 10.6 mi | 13m |
| 2nd Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| County Road 18 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| US 77 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 132.5 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, NE and Yutan, 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
132 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit onto US 77
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 77
Toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
7
Turn left onto US 77
11 mi
·
12 min
·
North 56th Street
8
Continue on US 77
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
South Highway 77
9
Continue on US 77
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 18
10
Continue on US 77
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Highway 77
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
11
Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92
217 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Road M
12
Continue on US 77; N-92
11 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road M
13
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Street
15
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given this drive's duration of just over 3 hours, it's easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility for when you choose to depart. Plan for one stop to break up the 172.1 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or before you transition off I-80. The longest stretch without a break is 132.5 miles, so consider this when planning your fuel and rest. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's a budget-friendly trip, but always check your fuel gauge before heading out, especially before embarking on the longer highway segments.
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 86 miles from Kearney, NE, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 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 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 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 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yutan, 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 172.1 miles and 3h 7m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 132.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86 mi from Kearney, NE · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86 miles from Kearney, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.5 miles.
Arriving in Yutan, NE
The final approach into Yutan, 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 Yutan, NE.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.91 one way
$53.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.54 | $59.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.12 | $66.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.00 | $76.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.07 | $8.26 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.06 | $6.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.09 | $11.01 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Yutan, NE
Late night in Yutan on Wednesday
Local time
2:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Lincoln, NE
86 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
34 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 7m 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 Yutan, NE covers 172.1 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Highway 77, North 56th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86 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 $26.91 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 Yutan, NE is easy. At 3h 7m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.
On the drive from Kearney, NE to Yutan, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Wahoo along the way.
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