How far is Scottsbluff, NE from Lincoln, NE?
The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to Lincoln, NE is about 402.3 miles (647.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 370.5 miles (596.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 04m 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 02m.
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.
Village in Nebraska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scottsbluff and Lincoln.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff and Lincoln.
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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
-
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
269.8 mi · 4 hr 33 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 77 South, To NE 2: Beatrice, Nebraska City
2614 ft · 44 sec
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16
Continue on Homestead Expressway
1.2 km · 55 sec · Homestead Expressway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Rosa Parks Way
959 ft · 23 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Rosa Parks Way, Downtown Lincoln
635 ft · 18 sec
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19
Turn slight left onto Rosa Parks Way
2 mi · 3 min · Rosa Parks Way
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20
Continue on K Street
1 mi · 3 min · K Street
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21
Continue on Capitol Parkway
1 mi · 2 min · Capitol Parkway
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22
Turn left onto A Street
2046 ft · 60 sec · A Street
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23
Turn left onto South 37th Street
103 m · 17 sec · South 37th Street
-
24
Turn right onto B Street
93 m · 11 sec · B Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · B Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsbluff and Lincoln.
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
270 mi · 04h 33m
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.
Sunny leaving Scottsbluff and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Lincoln.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsbluff to Lincoln?
The road trip is about 402.3 miles (647.5 km) and usually takes 06h 02m 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?
Brady is a useful midpoint, sitting about 199.3 miles from Scottsbluff and 203 miles from Lincoln.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 370.5 miles (596.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 $53.55 one way or $107.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 126.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsbluff and Lincoln, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Scottsbluff and Areas Of Frost then Sunny near Lincoln.
Stop Ideas Near Brady
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 Brady.
McCook
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 370.47 mi (596.21 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 Lincoln
The capital of Nebraska and the center of the Lincoln metropolitan area.
| Population | 290,505 |
| Coordinates | 40.8000000, -96.6669600 |
| Altitude | 367 |
| Country | United States |
End: B Street (-96.66696, 40.799868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 648 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $53.55 | $107.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $60.39 | $120.79 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $66.09 | $132.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $75.32 | $150.63 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.