How far is Kimball, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?

The driving distance from Kimball, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.6 miles (70.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.17 mi
00h 45m
Flight
43.58 mi
70.14 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kimball.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.58 mi
Kilometers
70.14 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.17 mi
Kilometers
72.7 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 00h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Scottsbluff
Thu, Apr 23, 1:12 AM MDT
Return by in Kimball
Thu, Apr 23, 1:58 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kimball
2026-04-23T00:26
Arrive Scottsbluff
Thu, Apr 23, 1:12 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:58 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kimball
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Melbeta
NE

Human settlement in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States of America

From Kimball
22.6 mi
00h 22m
To Scottsbluff
22.6 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
20 to 35 mph WNW
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
25 to 40 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Chesnut Street

    946 ft · 19 sec · South Chesnut Street

  2. 2

    Continue on North Chestnut Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Chestnut Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Road 41E

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Road 41E

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Highway 71

    31.8 mi · 35 min · North Highway 71

  5. 5

    Continue on Highway 71

    4.8 mi · 5 min · Highway 71

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Gering

    1.1 km · 54 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on Five Rocks Road

    3.6 mi · 6 min · Five Rocks Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Avenue I

    1.1 km · 1 min · Avenue I

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Overland Drive

    2638 ft · 60 sec · West Overland Drive

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Avenue B

    2650 ft · 1 min · Avenue B

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West 20th Street

    118 m · 13 sec · West 20th Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Avenue C

    17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kimball 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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Highway 71
31.8 mi · 70%
Highway 71
4.84 mi · 11%
Five Rocks Road
3.57 mi · 8%
Road 41E
1.73 mi · 4%
Avenue I
0.7 mi · 2%
North Chestnut Street
0.67 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Highway 71

At the end of the road, turn left onto North Highway 71

31.8 mi · 00h 35m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.6 mi
43.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Melbeta
00h 22m from Kimball
Leave By
4:58 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Kimball and 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 Kimball to Scottsbluff?

The road trip is about 45.2 miles (72.7 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Melbeta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.6 miles from Kimball and 22.6 miles from Scottsbluff.

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

The direct path is about 43.6 miles (70.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.00 one way or $11.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Kimball and Chance Rain Showers near Scottsbluff.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kimball and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 43.58 mi (70.14 km).

Kimball

#1 Kimball

City in Kimball County, Nebraska, United States

Population2,282
Coordinates41.2358100, -103.6630000
Altitude1437
CountryUnited States
Scottsbluff

#2 Scottsbluff

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population14,373
Coordinates41.8666300, -103.6671700
Altitude1186
CountryUnited States
Start: South Chesnut Street (-103.663011, 41.23581)
End: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.59 gal
6.03 L · about $6.00
Round trip
$11.99
3.18 gal · 12.06 L
Estimated CO2
14.1 kg one way
Round trip: 28.3 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.00 $11.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.76 $13.52
Premium $4.65 $7.40 $14.80
Diesel $5.30 $8.43 $16.87

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Kimball and Scottsbluff. The current time is 00:26:36.

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.