Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
217.6 mi
350 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Valentine, NE
alleksana
Scottsbluff, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 217.6 miles, the drive from Valentine to Scottsbluff is a straightforward journey across the Nebraska Great Plains that typically takes about 4 hours and 18 minutes. Since this trip is manageable in a single day, you can comfortably complete it without needing an overnight stop, though planning for one break along the way is recommended. Budgeting approximately $33 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. The route utilizes a mix of West C Street, Highway 71, and Dodge Road to connect these two points. Because both ends of the trip reside within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional atmosphere throughout your travel.
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
108.8 miles from Valentine, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West C Street | 105 mi | 2h 3m |
| Highway 71 | 38.4 mi | 44m |
| Dodge Road | 28.7 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 87 | 19.7 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 20 | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| Highway 87 | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Avenue I | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East 2nd Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Valentine, NE and Scottsbluff, NE.
Start on West 2nd Street
Turn right onto US 83
Turn right onto US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20; N-87
Continue on US 20; N-87
Turn left onto N-87
Continue on N-87
Turn right onto L-7E
Continue on N-2
Continue on N-2
Continue on N-71
Continue on N-71
Turn left onto West Railway Street
Turn left onto West 20th Street
Turn left onto Avenue C
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 18-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to handle the longest 105-mile stretch while traffic is light. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that time strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the remaining miles. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when traveling the more remote portions of the 217.6-mile route, as services may be spaced out. Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort levels. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to ensure your vehicle is prepped for the 105-mile stretch on West C Street, as it is the most demanding segment of your journey.
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.
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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 2h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsbluff, NE than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Valentine, 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 Valentine, NE
This is one driving day of about 217.6 miles and 4h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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.
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 108.8 miles from Valentine, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West C Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 217.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 83 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 20 / West C Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto N-87 / State Highway 87
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West 20th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Avenue C
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$34.02 one way
$68.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.35 | $74.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.88 | $83.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.04 | $96.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.85 | $10.44 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87 | 1 | $30.46 | $13.93 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Valentine on Saturday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Scottsbluff on Saturday
Local time
7:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Monument
In the early 1900s, paleontologists unearthed the Age of Mammals when they found full skeletons of extinct Miocene mammals in the hills of Nebraska -- species previously only known through fragments....
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This mixed-drive route offers a varied experience behind the wheel, transitioning through different road types as you navigate the 217.6-mile distance. While only 36% of the journey consists of highway driving, you will encounter a significant 105-mile stretch along West C Street that requires steady focus. Expect the road conditions to shift as you move between local connectors and the larger state highways. Navigating this path feels like a classic prairie transit, alternating between long, open stretches and more localized road segments. You should be prepared for the change in pace that comes with moving off the primary highway sections.
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 early in the drive near US 83 / North Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 18m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 83 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 20 / West C Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.3 miles (N-87 / State Highway 87): Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 217.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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