How far is Wood River, NE from Scottsbluff, NE?
The driving distance from Wood River, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is about 299.4 miles (481.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.5 miles (438.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 04h 40m.
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.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wood River and Scottsbluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wood River and Scottsbluff.
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1
Start on East Street
7 m · 8 sec · East Street
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2
Turn right onto Highway 30
1.1 km · 1 min · Highway 30
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3
Turn right onto Elm Street
3184 ft · 52 sec · Elm Street
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4
Turn right onto West Schultz Road
2645 ft · 47 sec · West Schultz Road
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5
Turn left onto Walnut Street
48 m · 9 sec · Walnut Street
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6
Turn left onto South Highway 11
3.8 mi · 4 min · South Highway 11
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7
Take the ramp right toward I 80 west
1727 ft · 42 sec
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8
Merge slight left
172.9 mi · 2 hr 53 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
1578 ft · 40 sec
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10
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
1.1 km · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
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11
Continue on East A Street
2278 ft · 50 sec · East A Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
101 m · 10 sec · East 8th Street
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13
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
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14
Turn left onto Highway 26 West
24.2 mi · 28 min · Highway 26 West
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15
Continue straight
59.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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16
Turn left
1 mi · 2 min
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17
Turn right
23.6 mi · 28 min
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18
Turn right onto Highway L79E
2.1 mi · 3 min · Highway L79E
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19
Turn left onto Highway 26
7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26
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20
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East 20th Street
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21
Continue on West 20th Street
1191 ft · 40 sec · West 20th Street
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22
Turn right onto Avenue C
17 m · 2 sec · Avenue C
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Avenue C
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wood River and Scottsbluff.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 west
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.
Sunny leaving Wood River and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers near Scottsbluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wood River to Scottsbluff?
The road trip is about 299.4 miles (481.9 km) and usually takes 04h 40m 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 150.7 miles from Wood River and 148.7 miles from Scottsbluff.
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 26.9 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.86 one way or $79.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Wood River and Scottsbluff, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wood River and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers near Scottsbluff.
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 Wood River and Scottsbluff. Straight-line distance: 272.55 mi (438.63 km).
#1 Wood River
City in Nebraska
| Population | 1,307 |
| Coordinates | 40.8205700, -98.6000700 |
| Altitude | 599 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Scottsbluff
City in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 14,373 |
| Coordinates | 41.8666300, -103.6671700 |
| Altitude | 1186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Avenue C (-103.667064, 41.86663)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 482 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.86 | $79.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.95 | $89.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.19 | $98.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.06 | $112.13 |
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.