Drive Time
58m
Distance
53.6 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
The drive from Kearney, NE to Cozad, NE covers 53.6 miles and takes about 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 24th Street, 2nd Avenue, I 80 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.28 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
26.8 miles from Kearney, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Expect a 58m drive with frequent turns across 53.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 24th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NE 21 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NE 21 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Meridian Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 21 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| E Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, NE and Cozad, NE.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn right onto West 24th Street
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward NE 21: Cozad
Keep slight right to continue on NE 21 North: Cozad
Turn straight onto South Meridian Avenue
Continue on State Highway 21
Continue on E Street
Turn left onto East 8th Street
Turn right onto H Street
Arrive at your 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 53.6 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.8 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cozad, 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 53.6 miles and 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.8 mi from Kearney, NE · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 53.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.8 miles from Kearney, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Cozad, 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 Cozad, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.28 one way
$14.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $8.12 | $16.25 |
| premium | $4.15 | $8.76 | $17.51 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $7.91 | $15.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| Efficient EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.69 | $2.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Kearney on Saturday
Local time
8:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Cozad on Saturday
Local time
8:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
41°F
McCook, NE
27 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Kearney, NE or browse trips ending in Cozad, NE.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.
Explore maps for Kearney, NE or Cozad, NE on MapSof.net.
