Waverly to Scottsbluff is 408.9 miles and takes about 7h 23m via I 80 and US 26, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Nebraska, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. It's a largely straightforward, single-day drive that sticks to major highways for most of its length. If you're looking for an efficient way to cross the state, this trip offers a direct path with minimal complexity.
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
204.4 miles from Waverly, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
282.8 mi
4h 47m
US 26
84.3 mi
1h 41m
Highway 26 West
24.2 mi
28m
Highway 26
7.5 mi
9m
North Spruce Street
2.2 mi
3m
US Highway 6
2.2 mi
3m
Highway L79E
2.1 mi
2m
East 20th Street
1.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 282.8 mi, about 4h 47m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~822 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,161
Quietest
2 AM
~112 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Waverly, NE and Scottsbluff, NE.
1
Start on Kenilworth Street
359 ft·21 sec·Kenilworth Street
2
Turn left onto North 141st Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·North 141st Street
3
Turn right onto US 6; I 80 Alt
2.2 mi·3 min·US Highway 6
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 80 west
5
Merge onto I 80
283 mi·4 hr 47 min·I 80
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
7
Turn right onto US 26; N-61
0.7 mi·1 min·South Highway 26/61
8
Continue on East A Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·East A Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto East 8th Street
330 ft·9 sec·East 8th Street
10
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi·3 min·North Spruce Street
11
Turn left onto N-61
24 mi·28 min·Highway 26 West
12
Continue on US 26
60 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 26
13
Turn left onto US 26; US 385
1.0 mi·1 min·US 26; US 385
14
Turn right onto US 26; N-92
24 mi·27 min·US 26; N-92
15
Turn right onto L-79E
2.1 mi·2 min·Highway L79E
16
Turn left onto US 26
7.5 mi·9 min·Highway 26
17
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi·3 min·East 20th Street
18
Continue on West 20th Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·West 20th Street
19
Turn right onto Avenue C
54 ft·2 sec·Avenue C
20
Arrive at destination
Avenue C
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, aim to leave Waverly by mid-morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the entire trip. With only two recommended stops, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps once on I 80 and again closer to Scottsbluff. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 282.8 miles on I 80, so be sure to fuel up before embarking on this segment. Since it's designed as a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to US 26 West.
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 204.4 miles from Waverly, NE, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 282.8 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 90 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.4 miles or 3h 29m 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 8m
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 Waverly, 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 Waverly, NE
This is one driving day of about 408.9 miles and 7h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Waverly, 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 282.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 408.9 — 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|North 141st Street
Turn left onto North 141st Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Turn left toward I 80 west
Navigation decision point
Toward I 80 west
5
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
285.6 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
5
408.9 mi into trip|~7h 23m in|Avenue C
Turn right onto Avenue C
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.39 one way
$120.77 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg143 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$66.66
$133.33
premium
$4.72
$75.92
$151.84
diesel
$4.80
$77.21
$154.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.7
1
$42.93
$19.63
Efficient EV
102.2
1
$35.78
$16.36
EV Truck/SUV
163.6
2
$57.25
$26.17
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Waverly, NE
Evening
in Waverly on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Scottsbluff, NE
Evening
in Scottsbluff on Saturday
Local time
7:26 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive 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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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
7h 23m 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
near mile 408.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely on major highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 80, covering a continuous stretch of 282.8 miles. The transition to US 26 West will happen later in the drive, marking the shift from interstate cruising to a more rural highway feel. Expect frequent exits on I 80 before reaching the less developed stretches.
98% 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: 282.8 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 around 0.1 miles in near North 141st 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 23m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North 141st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,888 ft1,123 ft
Total Climb
2,946 ft
Total Descent
180 ft
Highest Point
3,888 ft
~408.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,765 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waverly, NE to Scottsbluff, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Grant along the way.
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 282.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Scottsbluff, 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. There are 28 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 (North 141st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Scotts Bluff National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 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.
