Trip from Scottsbluff, NE to Stromsburg, NE

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 43m

Distance

369.5 mi

595 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 32m ★

6 AM

6h 44m

8 AM

7h 8m

10 AM

6h 52m

12 PM

6h 50m

3 PM

6h 53m

5 PM

7h 6m

8 PM

6h 37m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Scottsbluff, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Stromsburg, NE

Enric Cruz López

Trip Overview

Scottsbluff, NE to Stromsburg, NE is 369.5 miles and takes about 6h 43m via I 80 and US 34, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Nebraska, offering a straightforward drive across the state. Given its duration and mostly highway profile, it's a manageable one-day excursion for most drivers. You'll spend the bulk of your time on major interstates and highways, making it a relatively efficient way to travel between these two points.

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

184.7 miles from Scottsbluff, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	220.7 mi	3h 40m
US 26	84 mi	1h 39m
US 34	16.1 mi	19m
US Highway 26	12.5 mi	15m
Highway 92	11 mi	12m
Highway 26	7.5 mi	9m
Road H	4.7 mi	6m
Highway 34	4 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 220.7 mi, about 3h 40m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~702 veh/hr typical · worst 1,053

Quietest

3 AM

~101 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 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 Stromsburg, NE.

Start on Avenue C

54 ft · 7 sec · Avenue C

Turn left onto West 20th Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · West 20th Street

Continue on East 20th Street

1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street

Turn right onto US 26; N-71; N-92

7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26

Turn right onto L-79E

2.1 mi · 2 min · Highway L79E

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto N-92

11 mi · 12 min · Highway 92

Continue on US 26; N-92

13 mi · 15 min · US Highway 26

Turn left onto US 26; US 385

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on US 26

84 mi · 1 hr 39 min · US 26

Turn right onto North Spruce Street

2.7 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street

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

Turn right onto US 26; N-61

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Highway 26/61

Turn left

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 80 east

Merge onto I 80

221 mi · 3 hr 40 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec

Toward Bradshaw

Turn left onto Road H

4.7 mi · 6 min · Road H

Turn right onto US 34; I 80 Alt

4.0 mi · 4 min · Highway 34

Turn left onto US 34; US 81; I 80 Alt

16 mi · 19 min · US 34; US 81; I 80 Alt

Turn left onto 4th Street

164 ft · 7 sec · 4th Street

Arrive at destination

4th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. With a total drive time of under 7 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $56, you can comfortably complete this route in a single day. The longest stretch without a major town is 220.7 miles on I 80, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 184.7 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, or about 3h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 220.7 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 81 miles or 1h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 184.7 miles or 3h 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 5h 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stromsburg, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Scottsbluff, NE

This is one driving day of about 369.5 miles and 6h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Scottsbluff, 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 220.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ogallala, NE

185 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

Julesburg, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Platte, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 184.7 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.3 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 122.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 20th Street

Turn left onto West 20th Street

Navigation decision point

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.

119.6 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | North Spruce Street

Turn right onto North Spruce Street

Navigation decision point

122.2 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt

Turn left onto US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt

Navigation decision point

122.3 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | US 26; N-61 / South Highway 26/61

Turn right onto US 26; N-61 / South Highway 26/61

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$61.43 one way

$122.87 round trip

$4.22/gal 25.4 MPG avg 129 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$66.92	$133.83
premium	$5.18	$75.40	$150.80
diesel	$5.35	$77.83	$155.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 129.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	110.9	1	$38.80	$17.74
Efficient EV	92.4	1	$32.33	$14.78
EV Truck/SUV	147.8	1	$51.73	$23.65

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 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 May 21, 2026

Origin

Scottsbluff, NE

Afternoon in Scottsbluff on Wednesday

Local time

1:05 PM

MDT

Current temp

42°F

Mostly Clear

SE 10 to 15 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Destination

Stromsburg, NE

Afternoon in Stromsburg on Wednesday

Local time

2:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

ESE 5 to 10 mph 17% chance 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

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

1 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

6h 43m 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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect to spend 97% of your 369.5-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 220.7 miles on I 80. You’ll experience rural cruising for the most part, with exits spaced out on the highway segments. The transition to surface roads will occur after the main highway portion of your trip concludes.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 220.7 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

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 Effort 3/10

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 6h 43m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

3,888 ft 1,677 ft

Total Climb

187 ft

Total Descent

2,398 ft

Highest Point

3,888 ft

Elevation Range

2,211 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Stromsburg, NE

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Cappuccino and Company

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Lasso Espresso

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Gothenburg, NE

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Daylight Donuts

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Subway

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Stromsburg, NE

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: 08:30-21:30

Visit website

Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Visit website

Arby's

Fast_food

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ogallala, NE

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00

Visit website

Corner Cafe

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Stromsburg, NE

Cuisine: american

American Legion

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Stromsburg, NE

Tacos Mexico

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Scottsbluff, NE

Cuisine: mexican

Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00

Visit website

City Square Park

Park

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Ogallala KOA

Park

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ogallala, NE

Hours: 24/7

Buckly Park Free Campgrounds

Camp_site

Full guide →

Founded 1900

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

Arriving in Stromsburg, NE

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 43m. Total distance: 369.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 220.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 22 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.

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 Stromsburg, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 22 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.

Yes — Scotts Bluff National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stromsburg, NE before the return drive.

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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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