How far is Fairbury, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?
The driving distance from Fairbury, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 418.4 miles (673.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 358.6 miles (577.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 25m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Nebraska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbury and Scottsbluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury and Scottsbluff.
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1
Start on 6th Street
57 m · 13 sec · 6th Street
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2
Turn left onto E Street
1 km · 2 min · E Street
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3
Turn left onto 14th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · 14th Street
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4
Continue on Highway 136
20.1 mi · 23 min · Highway 136
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5
Turn right
47.7 mi · 52 min
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6
Turn left onto I 80 west
1730 ft · 42 sec
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7
Merge slight left
225.8 mi · 3 hr 46 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
1578 ft · 40 sec
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9
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.1 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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10
Continue on East A Street
2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street
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12
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
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13
Turn left onto Highway 61
1.5 mi · 2 min · Highway 61
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14
Continue on Highway 26
82.5 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Highway 26
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15
Turn left
1 mi · 2 min
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16
Turn right
23.6 mi · 28 min
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17
Turn right onto Highway L79E
2.1 mi · 2 min · Highway L79E
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18
Turn left onto Highway 26
7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26
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19
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street
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20
Continue on West 20th Street
1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street
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21
Turn right onto Avenue C
17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbury and Scottsbluff.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 west
Merge slight left
226 mi · 03h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Fairbury and Mostly Sunny near Scottsbluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairbury to Scottsbluff?
The road trip is about 418.4 miles (673.3 km) and usually takes 06h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gothenburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 209 miles from Fairbury and 209.4 miles from Scottsbluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 358.6 miles (577.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.8 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.66 one way or $111.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 131.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Fairbury 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 Fairbury and Mostly Sunny near Scottsbluff.
Stop Ideas Near Gothenburg
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 Gothenburg.
Holdrege
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbury and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 358.61 mi (577.12 km).
#1 Fairbury
City in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 3,646 |
| Coordinates | 40.1372200, -97.1805900 |
| Altitude | 404 |
| 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: 673 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $55.66 | $111.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $62.77 | $125.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $68.69 | $137.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $78.29 | $156.57 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.