How far is Scottsbluff, NE from McCook, NE?

The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to McCook, NE is about 230 miles (370.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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
230.04 mi
03h 58m
Flight
195.83 mi
315.15 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
195.83 mi
Kilometers
315.15 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
230.04 mi
Kilometers
370.22 km
Drive Time
03h 58m

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 03h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in McCook
Thu, Apr 23, 2:35 AM CDT
Return by in Scottsbluff
Thu, Apr 23, 5:33 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Scottsbluff
2026-04-22T21:37
Arrive McCook
Thu, Apr 23, 1:35 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:04 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Scottsbluff
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Ogallala
NE

City in Keith County, Nebraska, United States

From Scottsbluff
115 mi
01h 59m
To McCook
115 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
89°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 30 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Highway L79E

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Highway 92

    11 mi · 13 min · Highway 92

  7. 7

    Continue on US Highway 26

    12.5 mi · 15 min · US Highway 26

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    84 mi · 1 hr 39 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Spruce Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · North Spruce Street

  11. 11

    Turn left

    93 m · 8 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Highway 26/61

    1.4 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61

  13. 13

    Continue on Highway 61 South

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 61 South

  14. 14

    Continue on Central Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto A Street

    1177 ft · 24 sec · A Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Highway 23

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 23

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Highway 61

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Highway 61

  18. 18

    Continue on 333 Avenue

    13.3 mi · 15 min · 333 Avenue

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 6

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Highway 6

  20. 20

    Continue on 736 Road

    3 mi · 3 min · 736 Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Highway 6

    2667 ft · 35 sec · Highway 6

  22. 22

    Continue on 338 Avenue

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 338 Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Highway 6

    38.4 mi · 45 min · Highway 6

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway 34

    7.3 mi · 9 min · Highway 34

  25. 25

    Continue on Highway 6 & 34

    6.4 mi · 8 min · Highway 6 & 34

  26. 26

    Continue on West B Street

    1.6 km · 3 min · West B Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Norris Avenue

    1213 ft · 24 sec · Norris Avenue

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Norris Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsbluff and McCook.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
28 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
85 mi · 37%
Highway 6
40.8 mi · 18%
Highway 61 South
17.8 mi · 8%
333 Avenue
13.3 mi · 6%
US Highway 26
12.5 mi · 5%
Highway 92
11 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Main Street

Continue straight

84 mi · 01h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.1 mi
195.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ogallala
01h 59m from Scottsbluff
Leave By
9:04 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Scottsbluff and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McCook.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 230 miles (370.2 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?

Ogallala is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115 miles from Scottsbluff and 115 miles from McCook.

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

The direct path is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.1 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:04 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.62 one way or $61.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.2 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsbluff and McCook, 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 Rain Showers around Scottsbluff and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McCook.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and McCook. Straight-line distance: 195.83 mi (315.15 km).

Scottsbluff

#1 Scottsbluff

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

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

#2 McCook

McCook is a city in Red Willow County, Nebraska.

Population7,499
Coordinates40.2019500, -100.6257100
Altitude784
CountryUnited States
Start: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)
End: Norris Avenue (-100.625785, 40.201952)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 370 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.12 gal
30.73 L · about $30.62
Round trip
$61.24
16.24 gal · 61.46 L
Estimated CO2
72.2 kg one way
Round trip: 144.3 kg / 318 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.62 $61.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.53 $69.07
Premium $4.65 $37.79 $75.58
Diesel $5.30 $43.07 $86.14

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 23, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Scottsbluff, NE and McCook, NE. The current time in Scottsbluff is 21:37:14, although it is 22:37:14 in McCook.

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.