How far is O'Neill, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?

The driving distance from O'Neill, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 327.8 miles (527.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 260.3 miles (418.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 50m 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
327.87 mi
05h 25m
Flight
260.26 mi
418.85 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from O'Neill.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
260.26 mi
Kilometers
418.85 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
327.87 mi
Kilometers
527.65 km
Drive Time
05h 25m

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 05h 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Scottsbluff
Wed, Apr 22, 11:46 PM MDT
Return by in O'Neill
Thu, Apr 23, 6:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave O'Neill
2026-04-22T19:21
Arrive Scottsbluff
Thu, Apr 23, 12:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM MDT

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

Leave by
6:10 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in O'Neill
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
Thedford
NE

Human settlement in Thomas County, Nebraska, United States of America

From O'Neill
163.5 mi
02h 42m
To Scottsbluff
164.3 mi
02h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 30 mph S
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 O'Neill and Scottsbluff.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between O'Neill and Scottsbluff.

  1. 1

    Start on East Douglas Street

    2697 ft · 1 min · East Douglas Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Highway 20

    17.3 mi · 21 min · Highway 20

  3. 3

    Continue on South Hyde Street

    2765 ft · 59 sec · South Hyde Street

  4. 4

    Continue on East 5th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · East 5th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Highway 20

    36.8 mi · 44 min · Highway 20

  6. 6

    Continue on US Highway 20

    8.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 20

  7. 7

    Continue on East 4th Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East 4th Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    3170 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 7

    32 mi · 37 min · State Highway 7

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 7

    11 mi · 13 min · Highway 7

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Highway 91

    15.1 mi · 17 min · Highway 91

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn right

    148.9 mi · 2 hr 55 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Kansas Street

    2.9 mi · 5 min · East Kansas Street

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Highway 385

    6.8 mi · 8 min · South Highway 385

  15. 15

    Continue on US Highway 385

    16.9 mi · 18 min · US Highway 385

  16. 16

    Turn right onto L62A

    9.1 mi · 11 min · L62A

  17. 17

    Continue on Heartland Expressway

    552 ft · 7 sec · Heartland Expressway

  18. 18

    Continue on US Highway 26

    1.8 mi · 2 min · US Highway 26

  19. 19

    Continue on Highway 26

    15.6 mi · 19 min · Highway 26

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East 20th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street

  21. 21

    Continue on West 20th Street

    1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Avenue C

    17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between O'Neill and Scottsbluff.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 20
54.2 mi · 17%
State Highway 7
32 mi · 10%
US Highway 385
16.9 mi · 5%
Highway 26
15.6 mi · 5%
Highway 91
15.1 mi · 5%
Highway 7
11 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

At the end of the road, turn right

149 mi · 02h 55m

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
05h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+67.5 mi
260.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thedford
02h 42m from O'Neill
Leave By
6:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving O'Neill 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 O'Neill to Scottsbluff?

The road trip is about 327.8 miles (527.6 km) and usually takes 05h 25m 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?

Thedford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.5 miles from O'Neill and 164.3 miles from Scottsbluff.

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

The direct path is about 260.3 miles (418.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.5 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 6:10 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.63 one way or $87.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.8 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between O'Neill 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 O'Neill and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Scottsbluff.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between O'Neill and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 260.26 mi (418.85 km).

O'Neill

#1 O'Neill

City in Nebraska, United States

Population3,537
Coordinates42.4577800, -98.6475900
Altitude606
CountryUnited States
Scottsbluff

#2 Scottsbluff

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population14,373
Coordinates41.8666300, -103.6671700
Altitude1186
CountryUnited States
Start: East Douglas Street (-98.647589, 42.457684)
End: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 528 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.57 gal
43.79 L · about $43.63
Round trip
$87.26
23.14 gal · 87.58 L
Estimated CO2
102.8 kg one way
Round trip: 205.6 kg / 453 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $43.63 $87.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $49.21 $98.41
Premium $4.65 $53.85 $107.69
Diesel $5.30 $61.37 $122.73

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 O'Neill, NE and Scottsbluff, NE. The current time in O'Neill is 19:21:52, although it is 18:21:52 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.