Origin
Kearney, NE
Morning in Kearney on Monday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kearney, NE to Ashland, NE
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
156 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kearney, NE
Jean-Rene Chazottes
Ashland, NE
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to traverse the Great Plains of Nebraska, this 156-mile journey from Kearney to Ashland is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Navigating primarily via I-80, you will find the transition between these two Nebraska hubs simple and reliable. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this drive offers a practical connection across the state without unnecessary complications.
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 miles from Kearney, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 96% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel—specifically 147.7 miles—is dedicated to the steady, uninterrupted pace of I-80. You will transition from the interstate onto 238th Street and 2nd Avenue as you approach your final destination in Ashland. While the drive is largely characterized by its efficiency, the personality of the road remains consistent and predictable throughout the Great Plains. It is an ideal route for drivers who prefer a direct, high-speed path over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 147.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and 238th Street. 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 Ashland, NE is easy. At 2h 45m with 96% 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 6 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
150.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward NE 63: Ashland, Greenwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NE 63: Ashland, Greenwood
4
155.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
N-66 / Highway 66
Enter roundabout onto N-66 / Highway 66
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 147.7 mi | 2h 32m |
| 238th Street | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| 2nd Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Highway 6 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South 14th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Highway 66 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 24th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Central Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 147.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, NE and Ashland, NE.
1
Start on Central Avenue
52 ft
·
4 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 onto I 80 East
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 80 East
5
Merge slight left
148 mi
·
2 hr 32 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward NE 63: Ashland, Greenwood
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
NE 63: Ashland, Greenwood
7
Turn left onto 238th Street
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
238th Street
8
Turn right onto Highway 6
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 6
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Highway 66
226 ft
·
4 sec
·
Highway 66
10
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 66
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Highway 66
11
Continue on South 14th Street
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South 14th Street
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for a single stop will help keep you refreshed during the 156-mile haul. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the longest stretch of 147.7 miles on I-80 provides a significant block of highway driving where you will want to remain focused. Because the vast majority of your route is highway-based, check traffic reports for I-80 before you leave to ensure the smoothest possible transit. Utilizing your one planned stop to stretch your legs will make the final transition onto 238th Street and 2nd Avenue feel much easier once you exit the interstate.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78 miles from Kearney, NE, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.7 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 78 miles or 1h 23m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, 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 156 miles and 2h 45m.
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 147.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78 mi from Kearney, NE · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 78 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 147.7 miles.
Arriving in Ashland, NE
The final approach into Ashland, 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 Ashland, 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
$23.69 one way
$47.39 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.12 | $52.24 |
| premium | $4.80 | $29.45 | $58.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.66 | $69.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.38 | $7.49 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.65 | $6.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.84 | $9.98 |
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.
Destination
Ashland, NE
Morning in Ashland on Monday
Local time
6:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
41°F
Aurora, NE
78 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
30 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
2h 45m 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 Ashland, NE covers 156 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, 238th Street, 2nd Avenue. 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 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 $23.69 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.
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 Ashland, NE is easy. At 2h 45m with 96% 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.
The route from Kearney, NE to Ashland, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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