Origin
Fairbury, NE
Late night in Fairbury on Thursday
Local time
4:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairbury, NE to Scottsbluff, NE
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 25m
Distance
418.4 mi
673 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 13m
★
6 AM
6h 25m
8 AM
6h 50m
10 AM
6h 34m
12 PM
6h 32m
3 PM
6h 35m
5 PM
6h 49m
8 PM
6h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairbury, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Scottsbluff, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairbury, NE to Scottsbluff, NE covers 418.4 miles and takes about 6h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on E Street, 14th Street, Highway 136 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
209.2 miles from Fairbury, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 418.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 25m drive with frequent turns across 418.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
E Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 25m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fairbury, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| E Street | — | — |
| 14th Street | — | — |
| Highway 136 | — | — |
| I 80 west | — | — |
| US 26 | — | — |
| Highway 26 | — | — |
| East A Street | — | — |
| East 8th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
E Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury, NE and Scottsbluff, NE.
1
Start on 6th Street
187 ft
·
13 sec
·
6th Street
2
Turn left onto E Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
E Street
3
Turn left onto 14th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
4
Continue on Highway 136
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Highway 136
5
Turn right
48 mi
·
51 min
6
Turn left onto I 80 west
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 80 west
7
Merge slight left
226 mi
·
3 hr 45 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 26, NE 61: Ogallala, Grant
9
Turn right onto South Highway 26/61
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Highway 26/61
10
Continue on East A Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
East A Street
11
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street
331 ft
·
10 sec
·
East 8th Street
12
Turn right onto North Spruce Street
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Spruce Street
13
Turn left onto Highway 61
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 61
14
Continue on Highway 26
82 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Highway 26
15
Turn left
1.0 mi
·
1 min
16
Turn right
24 mi
·
27 min
17
Turn right onto Highway L79E
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway L79E
18
Turn left onto Highway 26
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Highway 26
19
Turn left onto East 20th Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East 20th Street
20
Continue on West 20th Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
West 20th Street
21
Turn right onto Avenue C
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
Avenue C
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 209.2 miles from Fairbury, NE, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 92 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 209.2 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsbluff, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairbury, NE so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairbury, NE
This is one driving day of about 418.4 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Fairbury, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 209.2 mi from Fairbury, NE · 3h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
209 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 209.2 miles from Fairbury, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Scottsbluff, NE
The final approach into Scottsbluff, NE usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Scottsbluff, NE.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.41 one way
$130.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $71.82 | $143.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $80.52 | $161.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $92.38 | $184.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 125.5 | 1 | $43.93 | $20.08 |
| Efficient EV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.61 | $16.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 167.4 | 2 | $58.58 | $26.78 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Scottsbluff, NE
Late night in Scottsbluff on Thursday
Local time
3:49 AM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 25m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairbury, NE to Scottsbluff, NE covers 418.4 miles and takes about 6h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are E Street, 14th Street, Highway 136. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 209.2 miles from Fairbury, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 25m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fairbury, NE to Scottsbluff, NE is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fairbury, NE to Scottsbluff, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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