How far is Scottsbluff, NE from Ainsworth, NE?
The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to Ainsworth, NE is about 262.2 miles (422 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 200.3 miles (322.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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 05h 09m.
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.
Village in Grant County, Nebraska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scottsbluff and Ainsworth.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff and Ainsworth.
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1
Start on Avenue C
17 m · 8 sec · Avenue C
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2
Turn left onto West 20th Street
1149 ft · 37 sec · West 20th Street
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3
Continue on East 20th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street
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4
Turn right onto Highway 26
15.6 mi · 19 min · Highway 26
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5
Continue on US Highway 26
1.8 mi · 2 min · US Highway 26
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6
Continue on Heartland Expressway
552 ft · 7 sec · Heartland Expressway
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7
Continue on L62A
9.1 mi · 11 min · L62A
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 385
16.9 mi · 18 min · US Highway 385
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9
Continue on South Highway 385
6.8 mi · 8 min · South Highway 385
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10
Turn right onto West Kansas Street
2.9 mi · 5 min · West Kansas Street
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11
Turn right onto Perkins Road
7.3 mi · 8 min · Perkins Road
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12
Continue on State Highway 2
6 mi · 7 min · State Highway 2
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13
Continue on 1st Street
2868 ft · 38 sec · 1st Street
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14
Continue on State Highway 2
82.4 mi · 1 hr 38 min · State Highway 2
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15
Continue on Southeast 1st Street
25.2 mi · 29 min · Southeast 1st Street
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16
Continue on Court Street
1.1 km · 45 sec · Court Street
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17
Continue on Highway 2
16.5 mi · 19 min · Highway 2
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18
Continue on Jewett Avenue
10.4 mi · 12 min · Jewett Avenue
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19
Turn left
15.1 mi · 18 min
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20
Turn left onto Highway 7
11 mi · 13 min · Highway 7
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21
Continue on State Highway 7
32 mi · 37 min · State Highway 7
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22
Continue on South Main Street
3211 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsbluff and Ainsworth.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 2
Continue on State Highway 2
82.4 mi · 01h 38m
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 Snow Showers leaving Scottsbluff and Sunny near Ainsworth.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsbluff to Ainsworth?
The road trip is about 262.2 miles (422 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?
Hyannis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.9 miles from Scottsbluff and 131.3 miles from Ainsworth.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 200.3 miles (322.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.9 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 MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:42 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.88 one way or $69.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsbluff and Ainsworth, 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 Snow Showers around Scottsbluff and Sunny near Ainsworth.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and Ainsworth. Straight-line distance: 200.33 mi (322.4 km).
#1 Scottsbluff
City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 14,373 |
| Coordinates | 41.8666300, -103.6671700 |
| Altitude | 1186 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ainsworth
City in Brown County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 1,630 |
| Coordinates | 42.5500000, -99.8626200 |
| Altitude | 768 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ainsworth (-99.86262, 42.55)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 422 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.88 | $69.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.34 | $78.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.05 | $86.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.06 | $98.12 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.