How far is Grand Island, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?
The driving distance from Grand Island, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 320.3 miles (515.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 283.5 miles (456.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m 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 04h 56m.
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.
Village in Nebraska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Island and Scottsbluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Island and Scottsbluff.
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1
Start on West 3rd Street
122 m · 25 sec · West 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
1799 ft · 36 sec · North Walnut Street
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3
Continue on South Locust Street
6.4 mi · 11 min · South Locust Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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5
Merge slight left
186.8 mi · 3 hr 7 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
1578 ft · 40 sec
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7
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.1 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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8
Continue on East A Street
2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street
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10
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
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11
Turn left onto Highway 26 West
24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West
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12
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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13
Turn left
1 mi · 2 min
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14
Turn right
23.6 mi · 28 min
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15
Turn right onto Highway L79E
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E
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16
Turn left onto Highway 26
7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26
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17
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street
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18
Continue on West 20th Street
1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street
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19
Turn right onto Avenue C
17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Island 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Grand Island and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Scottsbluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Island to Scottsbluff?
The road trip is about 320.3 miles (515.4 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?
Hershey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.3 miles from Grand Island and 161.9 miles from Scottsbluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 283.5 miles (456.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.8 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.61 one way or $85.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Grand Island and Scottsbluff, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Grand Island and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Scottsbluff.
Stop Ideas Near Hershey
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 Hershey.
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Island and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 283.52 mi (456.28 km).
#1 Grand Island
The most populous city in Hall County, Nebraska.
| Population | 51,004 |
| Coordinates | 40.9250100, -98.3420100 |
| Altitude | 567 |
| 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: 515 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.61 | $85.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.06 | $96.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.59 | $105.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $59.94 | $119.87 |
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 · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.