How far is Scottsbluff, NE from Central City, NE?
The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to Central City, NE is about 340.9 miles (548.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 297.7 miles (479.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 17m.
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 Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scottsbluff and Central City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff and Central City.
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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
7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26
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5
Turn right onto Highway L79E
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E
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6
Turn left onto Highway 92
11 mi · 13 min · Highway 92
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7
Continue on US Highway 26
12.5 mi · 15 min · US Highway 26
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8
Turn left onto Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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9
Continue straight
84 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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10
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · North Spruce Street
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11
Turn left
93 m · 8 sec
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12
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.4 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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13
Turn left onto I 80 east
2067 ft · 52 sec
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14
Merge slight left
186.6 mi · 3 hr 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Island
2525 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn left onto South Locust Street
4.4 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street
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17
Turn right onto Highway 34
2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
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18
Turn left onto Husker Highway
1.2 km · 59 sec · Husker Highway
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19
Continue on South Gunbarrel Road
4 mi · 6 min · South Gunbarrel Road
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20
Turn right onto Highway 30
17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
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21
Continue on G Street
1.4 km · 2 min · G Street
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22
Turn sharp right onto 17th Avenue
22 m · 1 sec · 17th Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsbluff and Central City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 east
Merge slight left
187 mi · 03h 07m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Scottsbluff and Mostly Sunny near Central City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsbluff to Central City?
The road trip is about 340.9 miles (548.7 km) and usually takes 06h 17m 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?
North Platte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 170.1 miles from Scottsbluff and 170.8 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 297.7 miles (479.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.2 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 $45.37 one way or $90.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 106.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsbluff and Central City, 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 near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near North Platte
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 North Platte.
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and Central City. Straight-line distance: 297.71 mi (479.12 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 Central City
City in Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,874 |
| Coordinates | 41.1158500, -98.0017200 |
| Altitude | 518 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-98.00172, 41.11585)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 549 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.37 | $90.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.16 | $102.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $55.99 | $111.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $63.81 | $127.61 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.