Origin
Wakefield, NE
Afternoon in Wakefield on Friday
Local time
12:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wakefield, NE to Kearney, NE
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
200 mi
322 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 43m
★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wakefield, NE
Obes
Kearney, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Wakefield, NE to Kearney, NE covers 200 miles and takes about 3h 55m 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, South 13th Street 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 $31.27 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
100 miles from Wakefield, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 200 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 55m highway drive covering 200 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near N-35 / Oak Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Wakefield, NE to Kearney, NE is easy. At 3h 55m with 67% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (N-35 / Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 40.1 miles (N-35 / Highway 35): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 149.8 miles (US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
N-35 / Oak Street
At end of road, turn right onto N-35 / Oak Street
Navigation decision point
4
40.1 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
N-35 / Highway 35
Enter roundabout onto N-35 / Highway 35
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
149.8 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34
Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34
Navigation decision point
5
197.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m 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
200 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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 |
| South 13th Street | 38.7 mi | 41m |
| Highway 35 | 38.5 mi | 46m |
| 370th Avenue | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 22 | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| South Locust Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| North Gunbarrel Road | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Highway 30
— 43.8 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wakefield, NE and Kearney, NE.
1
Start on 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
3rd Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto N-35
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Oak Street
3
Continue on N-35
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 35
4
Continue on N-35
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 35
5
Continue on N-35
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on N-35
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 35
7
Continue on N-35
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Highway 35
8
Enter roundabout onto N-35
304 ft
·
5 sec
·
Highway 35
9
Continue on N-35
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 35
10
Turn right onto US 275
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Omaha Avenue
11
Turn left onto US 81
39 mi
·
41 min
·
South 13th Street
12
Turn right onto N-22
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 22
13
Continue on N-22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Columbus Avenue
14
Turn left onto Gleason Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Gleason Street
15
Continue on 370th Avenue
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
370th Avenue
16
Turn right onto 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
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 100 miles from Wakefield, NE, or about 1h 58m 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 44 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 17m
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 Wakefield, 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 Wakefield, NE
This is one driving day of about 200 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Wakefield, 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 100 mi from Wakefield, NE · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100 miles from Wakefield, 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
$31.27 one way
$62.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.33 | $68.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.49 | $76.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.16 | $88.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60 | 0 | $21.00 | $9.60 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.50 | $8.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80 | 0 | $28.00 | $12.80 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Kearney, NE
Afternoon in Kearney on Friday
Local time
12:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Columbus, NE
100 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
3 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
3h 55m 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 Wakefield, NE to Kearney, NE covers 200 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 30, I 80, South 13th 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 100 miles from Wakefield, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.27 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 Wakefield, NE to Kearney, NE is easy. At 3h 55m with 67% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (N-35 / Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 40.1 miles (N-35 / Highway 35): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 149.8 miles (US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt / Highway 34): Navigation decision point.
The route from Wakefield, NE to Kearney, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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