Scottsbluff, NE Road Trips
Sitting in the Great Plains, Scottsbluff, NE is a local road trip base with 5 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 359 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Scottsbluff, NE head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
466.9 mi
Blair, NE
Quickest Drive
4h 26m
Lexington, NE
Plan Around Scottsbluff, NE
Continue From Scottsbluff, NE
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Scottsbluff, NE
Driving from Scottsbluff, NE
The typical drive from Scottsbluff, NE covers about 359 miles and takes around 6h 44m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 467 miles (8h 49m), while the shortest is just 236 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Scottsbluff, NE most often head toward Blair, NE (466.9 mi, 8h 26m), Macy, NE (439.7 mi, 8h 49m), Stromsburg, NE (369.5 mi, 6h 43m), Gibbon, NE (285.5 mi, 5h 16m), and Lexington, NE (235.5 mi, 4h 26m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 359-mile drive from Scottsbluff, NE, expect to burn about 14.1 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. These are full-day drives. Start by 7 or 8 AM if you want to arrive at a reasonable hour without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Scottsbluff, NE and 0 routes heading into Scottsbluff, NE, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 236 to 467 miles.
The longest mapped route from Scottsbluff, NE covers 467 miles and takes approximately 8h 49m. Shorter options start at just 236 miles.
The average route from Scottsbluff, NE runs about 359 miles with a drive time of roughly 6h 44m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Scottsbluff, NE include Blair, NE, Macy, NE, Stromsburg, NE and Gibbon, NE. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Scottsbluff, NE by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
14,406
Median Income
$53,448
Median Home Value
$141,300
Median Age
37.0
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Scottsbluff, NE at a Glance
Founded
1900
Elevation
3,891 ft
Area
6 mi²
Sister Cities
Notable People from Scottsbluff, NE
A sampling of people born in Scottsbluff, NE.
Randy Meisner
1946–2023
American musician and founding member of the Eagles (1946–2023)
Adrian Smith
1970
American politician
Robert G. Simmons
1891–1969
American politician (1891–1969)
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Scottsbluff, NE.
Western Public Service Building
building in Scottsbluff, United States of America
Lincoln Hotel
hotel in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, United States
Fontenelle Apartment House
apartment building in Scottsbluff, United States of America
Marquis Opera House
opera house in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, United States
City data from Wikidata (Q959484), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Scottsbluff, NE
Scottsbluff is a town in the Panhandle region of Nebraska, USA. The geological structure that gives the town its name was an important waypoint on the Oregon Trail and is preserved today as a national monument. The town of Gering is 1½ miles (2 km) south.
1 Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail (Follow NE-71 to the Old NE-92 exit, turn right, go through Gering. Take the Old Highway 92 west into the monument), ☏ +1 308-436-9700. Park open sunrise to sunset, Visitor center open 8AM-5PM. Located to the southwest of Scottsbluff over the North Platte River, this historical founding site offers breathtaking views. Opportunity to drive up the bluffs for scenic outlook over Scottsbluff-Gering, road could be closed because of high winds Free admission. (updated May 2021) 2 Midwest Theater, 1707 Broadway, ☏ +1 308 632-4311. Hours depend on show. The downtown legend with stylish shows all year 'round. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Price depends on show. (updated May 2017)
1 Westmoor Pool (in Westmoor Park), 1936 Ave I, ☏ +1 308 632-8881. Hours Unknown. Close to the Riverside Zoo. (updated May 2017) 2 Riverside Discovery Center, 1600 South Beltline (NE-79H), ☏ +1 308 630-6236. Daily 10AM-4PM, in summer until 4ː30PM. Lions to reptiles, and everything in between! The riverside zoo also has a splash pool in summer. The only zoo within a 150 mi (240 km) radius. (updated Jan 2026)
1 Rosita's Spanish Restaurant, 1205 E. Overland Dr, ☏ +1 308 632-2429. Tu-Su 11AM-10PM, closed major holidays. "Tex-Mex" restaurant with quesadillas, chips, salsa, and American drinks. 2 Scotty's Drive-In, 618 E 27th St (Corner of 27th St and Circle Drive). M-Sa 10:30AM-9PM, Sunday closed. Scottsbluff burger institution since 1963, with variety of other sandwiches, shakes, malts, etc. (updated Mar 2026)
1 Flyover Brewing Company, 1824 Broadway (Corner of 19th and Broadway), ☏ +1 308 575-0335. Tu-Su 11AM-11PM, Monday closed. Brewery with scratch kitchen, prides itself on locally sourced ingredients (updated May 2021)
1 Comfort Inn Scottsbluff, 1902 21st Avenue, ☏ +1 308 632-7510. Simple duplex that has free breakfast, indoor pool, with a car rental just behind the hotel. Lodging place is wheelchair accessible. $97-101. 2 The Candlelight Inn, 1822 E 20th Pl, ☏ +1 308-635-3751. Located 3 miles from Western Nebraska Regional Airport, this hotel offers airport transfers and a fitness room. (updated Oct 2021)
1 Western Nebraska Regional Airport (BFF IATA). has nonstop service on Great Lakes Airlines to Denver, Alliance, and Chadron. The town is located along US 26, one of the major routes across the Nebraska Panhandle. You may also get in by traveling I-80 to exit 22, and then follow Highway 71 up to the area
Scottsbluff is a small city that has very easy roads to work with. Avoid Avenue I during the 5PM rush hour.
Travel tips adapted from Scottsbluff on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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