How far is Central City, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?
The driving distance from Central City, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 340.3 miles (547.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 297.7 miles (479.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central City and Scottsbluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City and Scottsbluff.
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1
Start on 17th Avenue
22 m · 11 sec · 17th Avenue
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2
Turn sharp left onto G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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3
Continue on Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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4
Turn left onto North Gunbarrel Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · North Gunbarrel Road
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5
Continue on Husker Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Husker Highway
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6
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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7
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Locust Street
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8
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
186.8 mi · 3 hr 7 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
1578 ft · 40 sec
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11
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.1 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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12
Continue on East A Street
2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street
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14
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
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15
Turn left onto Highway 26 West
24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West
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16
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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17
Turn left
1 mi · 2 min
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18
Turn right
23.6 mi · 28 min
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19
Turn right onto Highway L79E
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E
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20
Turn left onto Highway 26
7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26
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21
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street
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22
Continue on West 20th Street
1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street
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23
Turn right onto Avenue C
17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central City and Scottsbluff.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
South Locust Street
Merge slight left
187 mi · 03h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Central City and Sunny near Scottsbluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central City to Scottsbluff?
The road trip is about 340.3 miles (547.6 km) and usually takes 05h 19m 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?
North Platte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 169.9 miles from Central City and 170.3 miles from Scottsbluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 297.7 miles (479.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.6 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 6:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.29 one way or $90.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 106.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Central City and Scottsbluff, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Central City and Sunny near Scottsbluff.
Stop Ideas Near North Platte
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Platte.
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central City and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 297.71 mi (479.12 km).
#1 Central City
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,874 |
| Coordinates | 41.1158500, -98.0017200 |
| Altitude | 518 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Scottsbluff
City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 14,373 |
| Coordinates | 41.8666300, -103.6671700 |
| Altitude | 1186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 548 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.29 | $90.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.08 | $102.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $55.89 | $111.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $63.70 | $127.40 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.