How far is Atkinson, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?

The driving distance from Atkinson, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 309.6 miles (498.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
309.55 mi
05h 02m
Flight
244.33 mi
393.21 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Atkinson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
244.33 mi
Kilometers
393.21 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
309.55 mi
Kilometers
498.17 km
Drive Time
05h 02m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Scottsbluff
Wed, Apr 29, 10:56 PM MDT
Return by in Atkinson
Thu, Apr 30, 4:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Atkinson
2026-04-29T18:54
Arrive Scottsbluff
Wed, Apr 29, 11:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Atkinson
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mullen
NE

Village in Hooker County, Nebraska, United States

From Atkinson
154.4 mi
02h 31m
To Scottsbluff
155.2 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
33°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
61°F
Wednesday

Patchy Fog then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Atkinson and Scottsbluff.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atkinson and Scottsbluff.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1930 ft · 2 min · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 5th Street

    1823 ft · 39 sec · West 5th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway 20

    36.8 mi · 44 min · Highway 20

  4. 4

    Continue on US Highway 20

    8.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 20

  5. 5

    Continue on East 4th Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East 4th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    3170 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 7

    32 mi · 37 min · State Highway 7

  8. 8

    Continue on Highway 7

    11 mi · 13 min · Highway 7

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Highway 91

    15.1 mi · 17 min · Highway 91

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn right

    148.9 mi · 2 hr 55 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto East Kansas Street

    2.9 mi · 5 min · East Kansas Street

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Highway 385

    6.8 mi · 8 min · South Highway 385

  13. 13

    Continue on US Highway 385

    16.9 mi · 18 min · US Highway 385

  14. 14

    Turn right onto L62A

    9.1 mi · 11 min · L62A

  15. 15

    Continue on Heartland Expressway

    552 ft · 7 sec · Heartland Expressway

  16. 16

    Continue on US Highway 26

    1.8 mi · 2 min · US Highway 26

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway 26

    15.6 mi · 19 min · Highway 26

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East 20th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street

  19. 19

    Continue on West 20th Street

    1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Avenue C

    17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Atkinson and Scottsbluff.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 20
36.8 mi · 12%
State Highway 7
32 mi · 10%
US Highway 385
16.9 mi · 5%
Highway 26
15.6 mi · 5%
Highway 91
15.1 mi · 5%
Highway 7
11 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

At the end of the road, turn right

149 mi · 02h 55m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+65.3 mi
244.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mullen
02h 31m from Atkinson
Leave By
6:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Atkinson and Patchy Fog then Chance Rain Showers near Scottsbluff.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Atkinson to Scottsbluff?

The road trip is about 309.6 miles (498.2 km) and usually takes 05h 02m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mullen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.4 miles from Atkinson and 155.2 miles from Scottsbluff.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.18 one way or $82.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Atkinson and Scottsbluff, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Atkinson and Patchy Fog then Chance Rain Showers near Scottsbluff.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Atkinson and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 244.33 mi (393.21 km).

Atkinson

#1 Atkinson

Town in Nebraska, United States

Population1,221
Coordinates42.5313900, -98.9781500
Altitude642
CountryUnited States
Scottsbluff

#2 Scottsbluff

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population14,373
Coordinates41.8666300, -103.6671700
Altitude1186
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-98.978254, 42.53139)
End: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 498 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.92 gal
41.35 L · about $41.18
Round trip
$82.36
21.84 gal · 82.7 L
Estimated CO2
97 kg one way
Round trip: 194.1 kg / 428 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.18 $82.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $46.44 $92.89
Premium $4.65 $50.82 $101.64
Diesel $5.30 $57.92 $115.84

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Nebraska · Apr 29, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Atkinson, NE and Scottsbluff, NE. The current time in Atkinson is 18:54:23, although it is 17:54:23 in Scottsbluff.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.