How far is Scottsbluff, NE from Wood River, NE?
The driving distance from Scottsbluff, NE to Wood River, NE is about 302.5 miles (486.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.5 miles (438.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county of Scotland
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scottsbluff and Wood River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff and Wood River.
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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
172.8 mi · 2 hr 53 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward NE 11: Wood River
1429 ft · 40 sec
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16
Turn left onto South Highway 11
4 mi · 5 min · South Highway 11
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17
Turn right onto Walnut Street
48 m · 7 sec · Walnut Street
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18
Turn right onto West Schultz Road
2645 ft · 47 sec · West Schultz Road
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19
Turn left onto Elm Street
3184 ft · 56 sec · Elm Street
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20
Turn left onto West Highway 30
1.1 km · 1 min · West Highway 30
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21
Turn sharp right onto East Street
18 m · 3 sec · East Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsbluff and Wood River.
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
173 mi · 02h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Scottsbluff and Sunny near Wood River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsbluff to Wood River?
The road trip is about 302.5 miles (486.8 km) and usually takes 05h 33m 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?
Sutherland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.9 miles from Scottsbluff and 151.5 miles from Wood River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.5 miles (438.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 5:54 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.24 one way or $80.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsbluff and Wood River, 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 Snow Showers around Scottsbluff and Sunny near Wood River.
Stop Ideas Near Sutherland
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 Sutherland.
McCook
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsbluff and Wood River. Straight-line distance: 272.55 mi (438.63 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 Wood River
City in Nebraska
| Population | 1,307 |
| Coordinates | 40.8205700, -98.6000700 |
| Altitude | 599 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wood River (-98.60007, 40.82057)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 487 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.24 | $80.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.38 | $90.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.66 | $99.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.59 | $113.19 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.