Origin
Scottsbluff, NE
Morning in Scottsbluff on Saturday
Local time
7:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsbluff, NE to Ainsworth, NE
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
262.2 mi
422 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 36m
10 AM
5h 18m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 20m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsbluff, NE
Wikimedia Commons
Ainsworth, NE
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
The drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Ainsworth, NE covers 262.2 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 2, State Highway 7, Southeast 1st Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.4 miles on State Highway 2. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.99 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
131.1 miles from Scottsbluff, NE
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 262.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 9m highway drive covering 262.2 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 2 and State Highway 7. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.4 miles on State Highway 2.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 2 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 2 and State Highway 7. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 20th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 9m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 26; N-71; N-92 / Highway 26): Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles (US 385 / US Highway 385): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 20th Street
Turn left onto West 20th Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 26; N-71; N-92 / Highway 26
Turn right onto US 26; N-71; N-92 / Highway 26
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
28 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 385 / US Highway 385
At end of road, turn left onto US 385 / US Highway 385
Navigation decision point
4
51.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
West Kansas Street
Turn right onto West Kansas Street
Navigation decision point
3
54.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
N-2 / Perkins Road
Turn right onto N-2 / Perkins Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 2 | 88.4 mi | 1h 44m |
| State Highway 7 | 32 mi | 36m |
| Southeast 1st Street | 25.2 mi | 29m |
| US Highway 385 | 16.9 mi | 18m |
| Highway 2 | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| Highway 26 | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| N-91 | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| Highway 7 | 11 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 2
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff, NE and Ainsworth, NE.
1
Start on Avenue C
54 ft
·
7 sec
·
Avenue C
2
Turn left onto West 20th Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West 20th Street
3
Continue on East 20th Street
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East 20th Street
4
Turn right onto US 26; N-71; N-92
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 26
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on US 26
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 26
6
Continue on US 26
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Heartland Expressway
7
Continue on L-62A
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
L62A
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 385
17 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 385
9
Continue on US 385
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
South Highway 385
10
Turn right onto West Kansas Street
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Kansas Street
11
Turn right onto N-2
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Perkins Road
12
Continue on N-2
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 2
13
Continue on N-2
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
1st Street
14
Continue on N-2
82 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
State Highway 2
15
Continue on N-2
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Southeast 1st Street
16
Continue on N-2
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
Court Street
17
Continue on N-2
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 2
18
Continue on N-2
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Jewett Avenue
19
Turn left onto N-91
15 mi
·
17 min
·
N-91
20
Turn left onto N-7
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 7
21
Continue on N-7
32 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 7
22
Continue on N-7
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.1 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 miles.
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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.1 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ainsworth, NE than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scottsbluff, 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 Scottsbluff, NE
This is one driving day of about 262.2 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Scottsbluff, 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.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 2 for about 88.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131.1 mi from Scottsbluff, NE · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.1 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before State Highway 2 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.4 miles.
Arriving in Ainsworth, NE
The final approach into Ainsworth, 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 Ainsworth, 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
$40.99 one way
$81.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $45.01 | $90.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $50.46 | $100.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.89 | $115.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.7 | 0 | $27.53 | $12.59 |
| Efficient EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.94 | $10.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.9 | 1 | $36.71 | $16.78 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Ainsworth, NE
Morning in Ainsworth on Saturday
Local time
8:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Ainsworth, NE covers 262.2 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 2, State Highway 7, Southeast 1st Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131.1 miles from Scottsbluff, NE. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a straightforward 5h 9m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 26; N-71; N-92 / Highway 26): Lane positioning matters here; at 28 miles (US 385 / US Highway 385): Navigation decision point.
The route from Scottsbluff, NE to Ainsworth, NE does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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