Drive Time
59m
Distance
58.4 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Quick day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
The drive from Kearney, NE to Hastings, NE covers 58.4 miles and takes about 59m 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 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.93 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
29.2 miles from Kearney, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Expect a 59m drive with frequent turns across 58.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 24th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NE 10C | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lowell Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| W Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 40 Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Q Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Kearney, NE and Hastings, NE.
Start on Central Avenue
Turn right onto West 24th Street
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
Turn left onto I 80 East
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward NE 10C Link: Gibbon
Turn right onto Lowell Road
Turn left onto W Road
Turn right onto 40 Road
Turn left onto Q Road
Continue on Q Road
Turn left onto Senator Carl T. Curtis Drive
Continue on West Highway 6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Highway 6
Exit the roundabout onto West Highway 6
Turn left onto South Marian Road
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Turn left onto North Kansas Avenue
Turn left onto West 3rd 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 58.4 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.2 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hastings, 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 58.4 miles and 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.2 mi from Kearney, NE · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 58.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Kearney, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$7.93 one way
$15.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $8.85 | $17.70 |
| premium | $4.15 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $8.62 | $17.24 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Kearney on Saturday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Hastings on Saturday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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.
Explore more options from Kearney, NE or browse trips ending in Hastings, NE.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.
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