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Trip from Schuyler, NE to Kearney, NE

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 40m

Distance

132.4 mi

213 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 30m ★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Schuyler, NE, NE

Schuyler, NE

Oliver Schröder

city in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Kearney, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Schuyler, NE to Kearney, NE covers 132.4 miles and takes about 2h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Highway 30, I 80, US 30 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.8 miles on Highway 30. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.70 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

66.2 miles from Schuyler, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 132.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 40m highway drive covering 132.4 miles, with most of the trip on Highway 30 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.8 miles on Highway 30.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 30 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 40m 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: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward US 30 West: Columbus

Navigation decision point

Toward US 30 West: Columbus
4
15.5 mi into trip | ~20m in | 10th Avenue

Turn left onto 10th Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
16.6 mi into trip | ~22m in | 8th Street

Turn right onto 8th Street

Navigation decision point

5
129.9 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Take the exit toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
5
132.4 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | Central Avenue

Turn left onto Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Highway 30 43.8 mi 52m
I 80 40.8 mi 40m
US 30 12.9 mi 15m
US Highway 30 10.4 mi 12m
South Locust Street 4.1 mi 5m
North Gunbarrel Road 4.1 mi 5m
South 9th Street 2.7 mi 3m
Highway 34 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Highway 30 — 43.8 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Schuyler, NE and Kearney, NE.

1

Start on East 11th Street

45 ft · 3 sec · East 11th Street
2

Turn right onto N-15

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Colfax Street
3

Turn left onto West 16th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 16th Street
4

Continue on Road E

1.0 mi · 1 min · Road E
5

Turn straight onto Road 9

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Road 9
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward US 30 West: Columbus
7

Merge onto US 30

13 mi · 15 min · US 30
8

Turn left onto 10th Avenue

0.5 mi · 54 sec · 10th Avenue
9

Continue on 15th Street

0.1 mi · 16 sec · 15th Street
10

Turn left onto 12th Avenue

0.5 mi · 56 sec · 12th Avenue
11

Turn right onto 8th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
12

Turn left onto US 30; US 81

0.9 mi · 1 min · 33rd Avenue
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
14

Merge onto US 30

2.7 mi · 3 min · South 9th Street
15

Continue on US 30

10 mi · 12 min · US Highway 30
16

Continue on US 30

26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
17

Continue on US 30

0.6 mi · 1 min · 16th Street
18

Continue on US 30

0.9 mi · 1 min · G Street
19

Continue on US 30

18 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
20

Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road

4.1 mi · 5 min · North Gunbarrel Road
21

Continue on Husker Highway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Husker Highway
22

Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt

2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
23

Turn left onto South Locust Street

4.1 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street
24

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
25

Merge onto I 80

41 mi · 40 min · I 80
26

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward NE 44: Kearney, Archway Monument
27

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue

2.0 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
28

Turn right onto West 24th Street

0.1 mi · 37 sec · West 24th Street
29

Turn left onto Central Avenue

51 ft · 1 sec · Central Avenue
30

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

Trip Plan

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 66.2 miles from Schuyler, NE, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.8 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 29 miles or 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 66.2 miles or 1h 24m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kearney, NE than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Schuyler, 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 Schuyler, NE

This is one driving day of about 132.4 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Schuyler, 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 Highway 30 for about 43.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 66.2 mi from Schuyler, NE · 1h 24m into the drive

largest or most important city of a metropolitan area

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Central City, NE

66 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

Columbus, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Central City, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.2 miles from Schuyler, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kearney, NE

The final approach into Kearney, 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 Kearney, 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

$20.70 one way

$41.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.73 $45.45
premium $4.89 $25.48 $50.96
diesel $5.61 $29.23 $58.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.7 0 $13.90 $6.36
Efficient EV 33.1 0 $11.58 $5.30
EV Truck/SUV 53 0 $18.54 $8.47

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Schuyler, NE

Night in Schuyler on Thursday

Local time

10:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kearney, NE

Night in Kearney on Thursday

Local time

10:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Sunny

SSW 15 to 25 mph 0% chance Live forecast

80°F

Central City, NE

66 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

6 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

2h 40m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Schuyler, NE to Kearney, NE covers 132.4 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 30, I 80, US 30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.2 miles from Schuyler, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.70 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 40m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.5 miles (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Schuyler, NE to Kearney, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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