How far is Cozad, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?

The driving distance from Cozad, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 219.8 miles (353.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 203.1 miles (326.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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
219.86 mi
03h 30m
Flight
203.09 mi
326.84 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cozad.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
203.09 mi
Kilometers
326.84 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
219.86 mi
Kilometers
353.83 km
Drive Time
03h 30m

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 03h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Scottsbluff
Wed, Apr 22, 10:11 PM MDT
Return by in Cozad
Thu, Apr 23, 2:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cozad
2026-04-22T19:40
Arrive Scottsbluff
Wed, Apr 22, 11:11 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:30 AM to 10:30 AM MDT

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

Leave by
10:00 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cozad
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
Brule
NE

Village in the United States

From Cozad
109.8 mi
01h 45m
To Scottsbluff
110 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Wednesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 30 mph SSE
Destination
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on H Street

    21 m · 8 sec · H Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 8th Street

    1140 ft · 39 sec · West 8th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto E Street

    132 m · 14 sec · E Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 21

    1591 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 21

  5. 5

    Continue on Meridian Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · Meridian Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I 80 West: North Platte

    1340 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    95.2 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant

    1578 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South Highway 26/61

    1.1 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61

  10. 10

    Continue on East A Street

    2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street

    101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Spruce Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Highway 26 West

    24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  15. 15

    Turn left

    1 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Turn right

    23.6 mi · 28 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Highway L79E

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Highway 26

    7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East 20th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street

  20. 20

    Continue on West 20th Street

    1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Avenue C

    17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
95.5 mi · 43%
Highway 26 West
84 mi · 38%
Highway 26
7.5 mi · 3%
North Spruce Street
2.25 mi · 1%
Highway L79E
2.14 mi · 1%
East 20th Street
1.16 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

95.2 mi · 01h 35m

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
03h 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.7 mi
203.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brule
01h 45m from Cozad
Leave By
10:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cozad and Mostly Sunny then Slight 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 Cozad to Scottsbluff?

The road trip is about 219.8 miles (353.8 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?

Brule is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.8 miles from Cozad and 110 miles from Scottsbluff.

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

The direct path is about 203.1 miles (326.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 10:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.26 one way or $58.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cozad and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Scottsbluff.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cozad and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 203.09 mi (326.84 km).

Cozad

#1 Cozad

City in Nebraska

Population3,715
Coordinates40.8597300, -99.9873400
Altitude759
CountryUnited States
Scottsbluff

#2 Scottsbluff

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population14,373
Coordinates41.8666300, -103.6671700
Altitude1186
CountryUnited States
Start: H Street (-99.98726, 40.85973)
End: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 354 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.76 gal
29.37 L · about $29.26
Round trip
$58.53
15.52 gal · 58.74 L
Estimated CO2
69 kg one way
Round trip: 137.9 kg / 304 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.26 $58.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.00 $66.01
Premium $4.65 $36.12 $72.23
Diesel $5.30 $41.16 $82.32

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 23, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Cozad, NE and Scottsbluff, NE. The current time in Cozad is 19:40:39, although it is 18:40:39 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.