How far is McCook, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?
The driving distance from McCook, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 230.2 miles (370.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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 03h 56m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Keith County, Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McCook and Scottsbluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McCook and Scottsbluff.
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1
Start on Norris Avenue
1213 ft · 28 sec · Norris Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West B Street
1.6 km · 3 min · West B Street
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3
Continue on West Highway 6 & 34
6.4 mi · 8 min · West Highway 6 & 34
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4
Continue on Highway 34
6.8 mi · 8 min · Highway 34
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5
Turn slight right onto US 6
103 m · 5 sec
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6
Continue on US 6
1.3 km · 54 sec
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7
Keep slight right
134 m · 6 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Highway 6
37.8 mi · 44 min · Highway 6
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9
Continue on 338 Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · 338 Avenue
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10
Continue on Highway 6
2667 ft · 35 sec · Highway 6
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11
Continue on 736 Road
3 mi · 3 min · 736 Road
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12
Continue on Highway 6
1.9 mi · 2 min · Highway 6
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13
Turn right onto 333 Avenue
13.3 mi · 15 min · 333 Avenue
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14
Continue on Highway 61
10.6 mi · 12 min · Highway 61
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15
Turn left onto Highway 23
2.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 23
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16
Continue on A Street
1177 ft · 26 sec · A Street
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17
Turn right onto Central Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue
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18
Continue on Highway 61
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 61
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19
Continue on South Highway 26/61
1.4 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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20
Continue on East A Street
2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street
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22
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
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23
Turn left onto Highway 26 West
24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West
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24
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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25
Turn left
1 mi · 2 min
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26
Turn right
23.6 mi · 28 min
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27
Turn right onto Highway L79E
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E
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28
Turn left onto Highway 26
7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26
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29
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street
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30
Continue on West 20th Street
1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street
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31
Turn right onto Avenue C
17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McCook and Scottsbluff.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Highway 26 West
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 01h 11m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving McCook 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 McCook to Scottsbluff?
The road trip is about 230.2 miles (370.5 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Ogallala is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115 miles from McCook and 115.3 miles from Scottsbluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.3 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 9:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.62 one way or $61.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between McCook 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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around McCook and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Scottsbluff.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McCook and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 195.83 mi (315.15 km).
#1 McCook
McCook is a city in Red Willow County, Nebraska.
| Population | 7,499 |
| Coordinates | 40.2019500, -100.6257100 |
| Altitude | 784 |
| 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: 370 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.62 | $61.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.53 | $69.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.79 | $75.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.07 | $86.14 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.