How far is Scottsbluff, NE from Ralston, NE?
The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to Ralston, NE is about 444.5 miles (715.4 km), with a travel time of about 08h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 396.9 miles (638.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 01m 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 08h 00m.
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 Nebraska
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scottsbluff and Ralston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff and Ralston.
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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
317.3 mi · 5 hr 23 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 275, NE 92
1563 ft · 23 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 275 East, NE 92 East
3109 ft · 53 sec
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17
Turn straight onto L Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · L Street
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18
Turn right onto South 84th Street
2571 ft · 51 sec · South 84th Street
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19
Turn left onto Q Street
59 m · 11 sec · Q Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Q Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsbluff and Ralston.
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
317 mi · 05h 23m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ralston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsbluff to Ralston?
The road trip is about 444.5 miles (715.4 km) and usually takes 08h 00m 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?
Cozad is a useful midpoint, sitting about 221.8 miles from Scottsbluff and 222.7 miles from Ralston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 396.9 miles (638.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.6 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 $59.17 one way or $118.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 139.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsbluff and Ralston, 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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ralston.
Stop Ideas Near Cozad
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 Cozad.
Holdrege
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and Ralston. Straight-line distance: 396.84 mi (638.66 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 Ralston
City in Douglas County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 7,254 |
| Coordinates | 41.2052800, -96.0425200 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ralston (-96.04252, 41.20528)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 715 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $59.17 | $118.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $66.73 | $133.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $73.02 | $146.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $83.22 | $166.44 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.