How far is Scottsbluff, NE from Atkinson, NE?

The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to Atkinson, NE is about 309.4 miles (497.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
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
309.36 mi
06h 06m
Flight
244.33 mi
393.21 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Scottsbluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
244.33 mi
Kilometers
393.21 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
309.36 mi
Kilometers
497.87 km
Drive Time
06h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atkinson
Mon, Apr 13, 11:26 AM CDT
Return by in Scottsbluff
Mon, Apr 13, 4:33 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Scottsbluff
2026-04-13T04:19
Arrive Atkinson
Mon, Apr 13, 10:26 AM MDT
Route Timing
06h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
1:07 PM to 2:37 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
11:46 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Scottsbluff
8:00 PM MDT
Overnight-style route

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
Mullen
NE

Village in Hooker County, Nebraska, United States

From Scottsbluff
154.4 mi
03h 03m
To Atkinson
155 mi
03h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 12:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W
Destination
76°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Avenue C

    17 m · 8 sec · Avenue C

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 20th Street

    1149 ft · 37 sec · West 20th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on East 20th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Highway 26

    15.6 mi · 19 min · Highway 26

  5. 5

    Continue on US Highway 26

    1.8 mi · 2 min · US Highway 26

  6. 6

    Continue on Heartland Expressway

    552 ft · 7 sec · Heartland Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue on L62A

    9.1 mi · 11 min · L62A

  8. 8

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

    16.9 mi · 18 min · US Highway 385

  9. 9

    Continue on South Highway 385

    6.8 mi · 8 min · South Highway 385

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West Kansas Street

    2.9 mi · 5 min · West Kansas Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Perkins Road

    7.3 mi · 8 min · Perkins Road

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 2

    6 mi · 7 min · State Highway 2

  13. 13

    Continue on 1st Street

    2868 ft · 38 sec · 1st Street

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 2

    82.4 mi · 1 hr 38 min · State Highway 2

  15. 15

    Continue on Southeast 1st Street

    25.2 mi · 29 min · Southeast 1st Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Court Street

    1.1 km · 45 sec · Court Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway 2

    16.5 mi · 19 min · Highway 2

  18. 18

    Continue on Jewett Avenue

    10.4 mi · 12 min · Jewett Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left

    15.1 mi · 18 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Highway 7

    11 mi · 13 min · Highway 7

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 7

    32 mi · 37 min · State Highway 7

  22. 22

    Continue on South Main Street

    3170 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto East 4th Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East 4th Street

  24. 24

    Continue on US Highway 20

    8.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 20

  25. 25

    Continue on Highway 20

    36.8 mi · 44 min · Highway 20

  26. 26

    Continue on West 5th Street

    1823 ft · 41 sec · West 5th Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1930 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  28. 28

    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 Atkinson.

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
28 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 2
88.4 mi · 29%
Highway 20
36.8 mi · 12%
State Highway 7
32 mi · 10%
Southeast 1st Street
25.2 mi · 8%
US Highway 385
16.9 mi · 5%
Highway 2
16.5 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
06h 06m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
12h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+65.1 mi
244.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mullen
03h 03m from Scottsbluff
Leave By
11:46 PM MDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Scottsbluff and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain near Atkinson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Scottsbluff to Atkinson?

The road trip is about 309.4 miles (497.9 km) and usually takes 06h 06m 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?

Mullen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.4 miles from Scottsbluff and 155 miles from Atkinson.

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

The direct path is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.1 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 MDT. 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 $41.18 one way or $82.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsbluff and Atkinson, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and Atkinson. Straight-line distance: 244.33 mi (393.21 km).

Scottsbluff

#1 Scottsbluff

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population14,373
Coordinates41.8666300, -103.6671700
Altitude1186
CountryUnited States
Atkinson

#2 Atkinson

Town in Nebraska, United States

Population1,221
Coordinates42.5313900, -98.9781500
Altitude642
CountryUnited States
Start: Scottsbluff (-103.66717, 41.86663)
End: Atkinson (-98.97815, 42.53139)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 498 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.92 gal
41.32 L · about $41.18
Round trip
$82.36
21.84 gal · 82.64 L
Estimated CO2
97 kg one way
Round trip: 194.1 kg / 428 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.18 $82.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $46.44 $92.89
Premium $4.65 $50.82 $101.64
Diesel $5.30 $57.92 $115.84

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 13, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Scottsbluff, NE and Atkinson, NE. The current time in Scottsbluff is 04:19:33, although it is 05:19:33 in Atkinson.

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.