Road Trips from Kearney, NE
Kearney, NE, NE is a good base for exploring Nebraska's diverse landscapes. You have options ranging from quick, under-an-hour trips to destinations over three hours away. Several routes feature parks, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation. The terrain varies from mostly flat to gently rolling, with a mix of highway-focused and mixed drives depending on your preference. Whether you're looking for a short day trip or a longer excursion, Kearney provides a solid starting point.
Total Routes
11
Shortest
0.7h
With Parks Nearby
1
Under 2 hours
Hastings, NE
1h 4m50.2 mi one way
This 1.1-hour trip to Hastings, NE, offers a mixed drive experience and has parks available. It's a shorter option compared to the longer drives further east, making it suitable for a quick outing.
Burwell, NE
1h 44m86.6 mi one way
Head north for 1.7 hours on this highway-focused drive to Burwell, NE. This route is longer than the closest options and includes park access, making it a solid choice for a day trip with outdoor potential.
Holdrege, NE
39m30.6 mi one way
For the shortest trip, take this 0.7-hour drive to Holdrege, NE. It's a mixed drive that gets you there quickly and has a good drive score, though it doesn't feature nearby parks.
Central City, NE
1h 25m74.2 mi one way
This 1.4-hour drive to Central City, NE, is a highway-focused route with mostly flat terrain. It's a mid-range option in terms of distance and offers park access, providing a straightforward excursion.
Cozad, NE
58m53.6 mi one way
This 1-hour highway-focused drive to Cozad, NE, covers 53.6 miles. It's a straightforward option for a quick trip out and back, falling between the closest destinations and the longer routes.
Full-day getaway
6 total in this range
Valentine, NE
3h 50m195.3 mi one way
This 3.8-hour journey to Valentine, NE, is the longest drive among the highway-focused options and includes park access. If you're looking for an extended day trip or a destination further afield, this is a good choice.
Columbus, NE
2h 16m115.4 mi one way
A 2.3-hour highway-focused drive leads to Columbus, NE. This route offers park access and a solid drive score, representing a substantial day trip destination from Kearney.
Lincoln, NE
2h 25m132.7 mi one way
Ashland, NE
2h 45m156 mi one way
This 2.8-hour highway-focused drive to Ashland, NE, features gently rolling terrain and park access. It's a longer trip than many other options, providing a more substantial outing with natural scenery.
Omaha, NE
3h 17m185.3 mi one way
Travel 3.3 hours on this highway-focused drive to Omaha, NE. It's one of the longer options available, includes park access, and offers a significant destination for a day trip.
Browse by Mood
Hastings, NE
1h 4m50.2 mi one way
Valentine, NE
3h 50m195.3 mi one way
Burwell, NE
1h 44m86.6 mi one way
Columbus, NE
2h 16m115.4 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
With available parks on several routes, spring offers pleasant conditions for drives featuring flat or gently rolling terrain.
Summer
The longer drives to destinations with parks are ideal for summer exploration.
Fall
Drives through Nebraska's landscapes, especially those with park access, are enjoyable in the fall.
Winter
The highway-focused drives provide consistent access to destinations, even in winter conditions.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Kearney, NE city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.