Scottsbluff, NE to Hickman, NE is 412 miles and takes about 7 hours and 28 minutes via I 80 and US 26, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape for much of the drive. It's primarily a highway trip, making it efficient for covering ground. With a recommended one-day drive, this is a straightforward option for getting from western Nebraska to the southeastern part of 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
206.1 miles from Scottsbluff, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
269.8 mi
4h 33m
US 26
84 mi
1h 39m
US Highway 26
12.5 mi
15m
Highway 92
11 mi
12m
Highway 26
7.5 mi
9m
US Highway 77
5.6 mi
6m
Homestead Expressway
4.7 mi
5m
Hickman Road
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 269.8 mi, about 4h 33m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~833 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,214
Quietest
2 AM
~115 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff, NE and Hickman, NE.
1
Start on Avenue C
54 ft·7 sec·Avenue C
2
Turn left onto West 20th Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·West 20th Street
3
Continue on East 20th Street
1.2 mi·3 min·East 20th Street
4
Turn right onto US 26; N-71; N-92
7.5 mi·9 min·Highway 26
5
Turn right onto L-79E
2.1 mi·2 min·Highway L79E
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto N-92
11 mi·12 min·Highway 92
7
Continue on US 26; N-92
13 mi·15 min·US Highway 26
8
Turn left onto US 26; US 385
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
9
Continue on US 26
84 mi·1 hr 39 min·US 26
10
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.7 mi·4 min·North Spruce Street
11
Turn left onto US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt
305 ft·7 sec·US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt
12
Turn right onto US 26; N-61
0.9 mi·1 min·South Highway 26/61
13
Turn left
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 80 east
14
Merge onto I 80
270 mi·4 hr 33 min·I 80
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Exit 397Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
16
Continue on US 77
4.7 mi·5 min·Homestead Expressway
17
Continue on US 77
4.1 mi·4 min·US Highway 77
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77
1.5 mi·1 min·US Highway 77
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Continue on US 77
3.5 mi·3 min·South 12th Street
20
Turn left onto S-55G
4.0 mi·5 min·Hickman Road
21
Enter roundabout onto Chestnut Street
12 ft·0 sec·Chestnut Street
22
Continue on Chestnut Street
0.4 mi·56 sec·Chestnut Street
23
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
45 ft·1 sec·East 2nd Street
24
Arrive at destination
East 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7.5-hour estimated drive time, departing in the morning from Scottsbluff is advisable to allow ample daylight. The route has two recommended stops, which can help break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the long 269.8-mile stretch on I 80, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. Planning your fuel stops in advance will ensure a smoother journey. The fuel cost is estimated at $64, so factor that into your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 206.1 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.8 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 91 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.1 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hickman, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scottsbluff, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scottsbluff, NE
This is one driving day of about 412.1 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Scottsbluff, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 269.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 402.8 — 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 20th Street
Turn left onto West 20th Street
Navigation decision point
5
8.9 mi into trip|~12m in|L-79E / Highway L79E
Turn right onto L-79E / Highway L79E
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
119.6 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|North Spruce Street
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
Navigation decision point
6
393.4 mi into trip|~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 397
Toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska...
6
402.8 mi into trip|~7h 16m in|US 77 / US Highway 77
Keep slight right at fork onto US 77 / US Highway 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.74 one way
$137.49 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$74.71
$149.43
premium
$5.26
$85.32
$170.65
diesel
$6.18
$100.25
$200.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.6
1
$43.27
$19.78
Efficient EV
103
1
$36.06
$16.48
EV Truck/SUV
164.8
2
$57.69
$26.37
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Scottsbluff, NE
Late night
in Scottsbluff on Saturday
Local time
3:33 AM
MDT
Current temp
29°F
Widespread Frost
NW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 3:36AM CDT until October 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
Destination
Hickman, NE
Late night
in Hickman on Saturday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 18 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 3:36AM CDT until October 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS North Platte NE
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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
12 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
7h 28m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was home...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 412.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a predominantly highway drive, with 96% of the 412 miles on major roads like I 80 and US 26. You'll experience a long stretch of 269.8 miles on I 80, which means extended periods of cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, likely within the last 10-15 miles, offering a change of pace as you approach your destination.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 20th Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 28m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (L-79E / Highway L79E): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.6 miles (North Spruce Street): 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
The longest stretch is about 269.8 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hickman, NE before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (L-79E / Highway L79E): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.6 miles (North Spruce Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Scotts Bluff National Monument and Homestead National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hickman, NE before the return drive.
