Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Kearney, NE to Yutan, NE

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 7m

Distance

172.1 mi

277 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 56m ★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States

Kearney, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Yutan, NE, NE

Yutan, NE

Merve Tuncay

Trip Overview

This 172.1-mile drive from Kearney, NE, to Yutan, NE, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80 and Highway 77, you'll experience a route that is 84% highway, making it a focused drive across the Great Plains. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it’s an economical option for a quick journey. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pacing. You'll be traveling within the same state and region, so expect consistent landscapes throughout.

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

86 miles from Kearney, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 132.5 mi 2h 17m
Highway 77 11.6 mi 13m
North 56th Street 11.1 mi 12m
County Road M 10.6 mi 13m
2nd Avenue 2.2 mi 4m
County Road 18 2.2 mi 2m
2nd Street 0.8 mi 2m
US 77 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 132.5 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Central Avenue

51 ft · 3 sec · Central Avenue
2

Turn right onto West 24th Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · West 24th Street
3

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

2.2 mi · 4 min · 2nd Avenue
4

Turn left

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 80 East
5

Merge onto I 80

132 mi · 2 hr 17 min · I 80
6

Take the exit onto US 77

0.4 mi · 46 sec · US 77
Toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
7

Turn left onto US 77

11 mi · 12 min · North 56th Street
8

Continue on US 77

0.1 mi · 9 sec · South Highway 77
9

Continue on US 77

2.2 mi · 2 min · County Road 18
10

Continue on US 77

12 mi · 13 min · Highway 77
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
11

Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92

217 ft · 2 sec · County Road M
12

Continue on US 77; N-92

11 mi · 13 min · County Road M
13

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 28 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn left onto 2nd Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street
15

Arrive at destination

2nd Street

Trip Plan

Given this drive's duration of just over 3 hours, it's easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility for when you choose to depart. Plan for one stop to break up the 172.1 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or before you transition off I-80. The longest stretch without a break is 132.5 miles, so consider this when planning your fuel and rest. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's a budget-friendly trip, but always check your fuel gauge before heading out, especially before embarking on the longer highway segments.

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 86 miles from Kearney, NE, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 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 38 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86 miles or 1h 32m 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 29m

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

Before You Leave

+

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 172.1 miles and 3h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Kearney, 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 I 80 for about 132.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Seward, NE, NE

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seward, NE

86 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

Wood River, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

York, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86 miles from Kearney, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Yutan Kitchen | Chinese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Yutan, Nebraska

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 172.1

Hours: 5–8 pm

+14026252055

Visit website

Chip's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wahoo, Nebraska

1.1 mi

Shoemakers Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lincoln, Nebraska

2.4 mi

Yutan Kitchen | Chinese Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 172.1

Yutan, Nebraska

Hours: 5–8 pm

+14026252055

Visit website

Chip's Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 159.8

Wahoo, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14024431164

Visit website

Shoemakers Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 122.9

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 5:30 am–9 pm

+14024741775

Visit website

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.6

Seward, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14026439544

Rath's Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.5

Aurora, Nebraska

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14026944607

Visit website

The Mill Coffee & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 135.2

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14024139191

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 159.8

Wahoo, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 159.8

Wahoo, Nebraska

+18668167584

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

York Rest Area Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

York Rest Area Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Blue River Rest Area Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Grand Island Rest Area Eastbound

0.2 mi from route

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

0.6 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.7 mi from route

Kearney Rest Area Westbound

1.8 mi from route

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

2.3 mi from route

Big Apple Fun Center

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Kearney, Nebraska

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+13082344545

Visit website

Kearney Area Children's Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Kearney, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13086982228

Visit website

Edgerton Explorit Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 61.5

Aurora, Nebraska

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14026944032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 160.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 24th Street

Turn right onto West 24th Street

Navigation decision point

4
2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Turn left toward I 80 East

Navigation decision point

Toward I 80 East
3
2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining

5
135.2 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | US 77

Take the exit onto US 77 toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo

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

Toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo
4
160.5 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in | US 77; N-92 / County Road M

Enter roundabout onto US 77; N-92 / County Road M

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.91 one way

$53.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.54 $59.08
premium $4.89 $33.12 $66.24
diesel $5.61 $38.00 $76.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.6 0 $18.07 $8.26
Efficient EV 43 0 $15.06 $6.88
EV Truck/SUV 68.8 0 $24.09 $11.01

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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

Kearney, NE

Night in Kearney on Saturday

Local time

11:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Yutan, NE

Night in Yutan on Saturday

Local time

11:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 7m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 172.1-mile journey, with 84% of the route on interstates and major highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 132.5 miles on I-80, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. The transition from I-80 to Highway 77 and then to North 56th Street will introduce some variation as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive that is primarily about efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.5 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Highway 77. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 24th Street.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Kearney, NE to Yutan, NE is easy. At 3h 7m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Kearney, NE to Yutan, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Wahoo along the way.

Wahoo

135.2 mi in | ~2h 23m | via US 77

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 172.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 132.5 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NE can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Yutan, NE, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Yutan, NE

Omaha, NE 27.2 mi · 41m

More from Kearney, NE

Valentine, NE 195.3 mi · 3h 50m Omaha, NE 185.3 mi · 3h 17m Ashland, NE 156 mi · 2h 45m Lincoln, NE 132.7 mi · 2h 25m Columbus, NE 115.4 mi · 2h 16m Burwell, NE 86.6 mi · 1h 44m
Escape planner: Kearney, NE Scenic drives in NE

Explore more options from Kearney, NE or browse trips ending in Yutan, NE.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NE road trips.