How far is Scottsbluff, NE from North Platte, NE?

The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to North Platte, NE is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.41 mi
02h 54m
Flight
158.69 mi
255.38 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Scottsbluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.69 mi
Kilometers
255.38 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.41 mi
Kilometers
287.12 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 02h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Platte
Thu, Apr 23, 4:26 AM CDT
Return by in Scottsbluff
Thu, Apr 23, 6:21 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Scottsbluff
2026-04-23T00:32
Arrive North Platte
Thu, Apr 23, 3:26 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:55 AM to 1:55 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:40 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Scottsbluff
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Lewellen
NE

Village in Garden County, Nebraska, United States

From Scottsbluff
87.5 mi
01h 27m
To North Platte
90.9 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
25 to 40 mph WNW
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 30 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff and North Platte.

  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

    Turn left onto I 80 east

    2067 ft · 52 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    49.4 mi · 49 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 83: North Platte, McCook

    2273 ft · 55 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on US 83 North: North Platte

    2759 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto South Jeffers Street

    2419 ft · 56 sec · South Jeffers Street

  18. 18

    Continue on South Dewey Street

    3211 ft · 60 sec · South Dewey Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Philip Avenue

    98 m · 21 sec · East Philip Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Jeffers Street

    657 ft · 13 sec · South Jeffers Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West William Avenue

    122 m · 23 sec · West William Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left

    48 m · 12 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
85 mi · 48%
I 80 east
49.8 mi · 28%
US Highway 26
12.5 mi · 7%
Highway 92
11 mi · 6%
Highway 26
7.49 mi · 4%
North Spruce Street
2.68 mi · 2%
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 comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.7 mi
158.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lewellen
01h 27m from Scottsbluff
Leave By
12:40 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Scottsbluff and Sunny near North Platte.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Scottsbluff to North Platte?

The road trip is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km) and usually takes 02h 54m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lewellen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.5 miles from Scottsbluff and 90.9 miles from North Platte.

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

The direct path is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:40 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Scottsbluff and Sunny near North Platte.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and North Platte. Straight-line distance: 158.69 mi (255.38 km).

Scottsbluff

#1 Scottsbluff

City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Population14,373
Coordinates41.8666300, -103.6671700
Altitude1186
CountryUnited States
North Platte

#2 North Platte

City in Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States

Population23,202
Coordinates41.1238900, -100.7654200
Altitude854
CountryUnited States
Start: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)
End: (-100.765465, 41.124013)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.3 gal
23.83 L · about $23.76
Round trip
$47.51
12.6 gal · 47.66 L
Estimated CO2
56 kg one way
Round trip: 112 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.76 $47.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.79 $53.59
Premium $4.65 $29.32 $58.64
Diesel $5.30 $33.42 $66.83

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 North Platte, NE. The current time in Scottsbluff is 00:32:06, although it is 01:32:06 in North Platte.

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.