Burwell to Scottsbluff is 263.3 miles and takes about 5h 11m via H Street and South 8th Avenue, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Nebraska, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on surface roads, making it a good option if you prefer to avoid interstate speeds. With a single recommended stop and a drive time under six hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.7 miles from Burwell, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
N-2
148.9 mi
2h 54m
Highway 91
57.5 mi
1h 6m
US Highway 385
16.9 mi
18m
Highway 26
15.6 mi
18m
L62A
9.1 mi
10m
South Highway 385
6.8 mi
7m
East Kansas Street
2.9 mi
5m
US Highway 26
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
N-2
— 148.9 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burwell, NE and Scottsbluff, NE.
1
Start on South 7th Avenue
394 ft·19 sec·South 7th Avenue
2
Turn right onto H Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·H Street
3
Turn left onto South 8th Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·South 8th Avenue
4
Continue on 466 Avenue
0.5 mi·43 sec·466 Avenue
5
Turn right onto N-91
13 mi·14 min·Highway 91
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 183; N-91
0.8 mi·52 sec·Highway 183
7
Continue on US 183; N-91
0.2 mi·27 sec·3rd Street
8
Turn left onto N-91
0.4 mi·41 sec·Broadway Street
9
Continue on N-91
45 mi·51 min·Highway 91
10
At end of road, turn right onto N-2
149 mi·2 hr 54 min·N-2
11
Turn left onto East Kansas Street
2.9 mi·5 min·East Kansas Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 385
6.8 mi·7 min·South Highway 385
13
Continue on US 385
17 mi·18 min·US Highway 385
14
Turn right onto L-62A
9.1 mi·10 min·L62A
15
Continue on US 26
0.1 mi·7 sec·Heartland Expressway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 26
1.8 mi·2 min·US Highway 26
17
Continue on US 26
16 mi·18 min·Highway 26
18
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi·3 min·East 20th Street
19
Continue on West 20th Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·West 20th Street
20
Turn right onto Avenue C
54 ft·2 sec·Avenue C
21
Arrive at destination
Avenue C
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 11m estimated drive time, leaving Burwell in the morning is advisable to ensure you reach Scottsbluff with plenty of daylight. The route has one recommended stop, which should be sufficient for a break without significantly extending your travel day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $42, and it's always wise to top off before heading into longer stretches on surface roads. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly or add an extra brief stop if needed.
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 131.7 miles from Burwell, NE, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.9 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.7 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsbluff, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burwell, 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 Burwell, NE
This is one driving day of about 263.3 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Burwell, 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 N-2 for about 148.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 263.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|H Street
Turn right onto H Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South 8th Avenue
Turn left onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
13.8 mi into trip|~17m in|US 183; N-91 / Highway 183
At end of road, turn right onto US 183; N-91 / Highway 183
Navigation decision point
5
211.7 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|US 385 / South Highway 385
At end of road, turn left onto US 385 / South Highway 385
Navigation decision point
5
263.3 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|Avenue C
Turn right onto Avenue C
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.92 one way
$87.84 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.74
$95.47
premium
$5.26
$54.52
$109.03
diesel
$6.18
$64.05
$128.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79
0
$27.65
$12.64
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.04
$10.53
EV Truck/SUV
105.3
1
$36.86
$16.85
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 15, 2026
Origin
Burwell, NE
Morning
in Burwell on Friday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Rain Showers Likely
NNW 5 to 30 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 15 at 3:03AM CDT until October 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 15 at 12:50AM MDT until October 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
Destination
Scottsbluff, NE
Late night
in Scottsbluff on Friday
Local time
5:51 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Rain
N 10 to 15 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 15 at 3:03AM CDT until October 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 15 at 12:50AM MDT until October 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Cheyenne WY
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
16 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
5h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Scotts Bluff National Monument
National Monument
Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Ri...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 263.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 263.3 miles and takes approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes, with 0% of the drive on highways. You'll be on surface roads for the entire trip, starting on H Street and South 8th Avenue before transitioning onto 466 Avenue. Given the lack of highway driving and its mostly surface road profile, anticipate a cruising speed closer to what you'd experience on rural roads rather than a freeway. The longest stretch without a significant break is not specified, but the overall duration suggests a consistent pace.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.9 mi on N-2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near H Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 11m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (H Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (US 183; N-91 / Highway 183): Navigation decision point.
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.
Top landmarks
•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
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.9 miles on N-2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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: at 0.1 miles (H Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (US 183; N-91 / Highway 183): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Scotts Bluff National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scottsbluff, NE before the return drive.
