How far is Ralston, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?
The driving distance from Ralston, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 444.3 miles (715.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 396.9 miles (638.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 31m 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 45m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ralston and Scottsbluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ralston and Scottsbluff.
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1
Start on Q Street
54 m · 12 sec · Q Street
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2
Continue on Q Street
98 m · 19 sec · Q Street
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3
Turn left onto South 84th Street
1 mi · 2 min · South 84th Street
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4
Turn right onto Harrison Street
3.6 mi · 6 min · Harrison Street
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5
Turn left onto Giles Road
1378 ft · 29 sec · Giles Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West
2210 ft · 43 sec
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7
Merge slight left
315.5 mi · 5 hr 20 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 26 West
24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West
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14
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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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 · 3 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 Ralston 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
316 mi · 05h 21m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ralston and Sunny near Scottsbluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ralston to Scottsbluff?
The road trip is about 444.3 miles (715.1 km) and usually takes 06h 45m 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?
Cozad is a useful midpoint, sitting about 221.7 miles from Ralston and 222.7 miles from Scottsbluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 396.9 miles (638.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.4 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 $59.13 one way or $118.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 139.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Ralston and Scottsbluff, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Ralston and Sunny near Scottsbluff.
Stop Ideas Near Cozad
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 Cozad.
Holdrege
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ralston and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 396.84 mi (638.66 km).
#1 Ralston
City in Douglas County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 7,254 |
| Coordinates | 41.2052800, -96.0425200 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| 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: 715 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $59.13 | $118.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $66.69 | $133.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $72.97 | $145.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $83.17 | $166.33 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.