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Trip from Scottsbluff, NE to Cambridge, NE

Drive Time

5h 5m

Distance

254.8 mi

410 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 52m ★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Scottsbluff, NE

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Trip Overview

The drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Cambridge, NE covers 254.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 26, I 80, South Jeffers Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84 miles on US 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.70 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

127.4 miles from Scottsbluff, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 5m highway drive covering 254.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 26 and I 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 84 miles on US 26.

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.
US 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 84 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 26 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 20th Street.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 15 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 8.9 miles (L-79E / Highway L79E): Lane positioning matters here; at 173 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These 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
8.9 mi into trip | ~12m in | L-79E / Highway L79E

Turn right onto L-79E / Highway L79E

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
173 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Take the exit toward US 83: North Platte, McCook

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 83: North Platte, McCook
5
173.4 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 83 South: McCook

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 83 South: McCook
5
173.8 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in | US 83 / South Jeffers Street

Merge onto US 83 / South Jeffers Street

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Cambridge, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Mccook along the way.

Mccook

173 mi in | ~3h 21m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 26 84 mi 1h 39m
I 80 49.4 mi 49m
South Jeffers Street 33.2 mi 38m
Center Avenue 20.2 mi 25m
Road 407 17.6 mi 24m
US Highway 26 12.5 mi 15m
Highway 92 11 mi 12m
Highway 26 7.5 mi 9m
Longest stretch: US 26 — 84 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Scottsbluff, NE and Cambridge, 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

7.5 mi · 9 min · Highway 26
5

Turn right onto L-79E

2.1 mi · 2 min · Highway L79E
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left onto N-92

11 mi · 12 min · Highway 92
7

Continue on US 26; N-92

13 mi · 15 min · US Highway 26
8

Turn left onto US 26; US 385

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street
9

Continue on US 26

84 mi · 1 hr 39 min · US 26
10

Turn right onto North Spruce Street

2.7 mi · 4 min · North Spruce Street
11

Turn left onto US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt

305 ft · 7 sec · US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt
12

Turn right onto US 26; N-61

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Highway 26/61
13

Turn left

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 80 east
14

Merge onto I 80

49 mi · 49 min · I 80
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward US 83: North Platte, McCook
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward US 83 South: McCook
17

Merge onto US 83

33 mi · 38 min · South Jeffers Street
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn slight left onto N-23

7.5 mi · 9 min · N-23
19

Turn right onto N-18

20 mi · 25 min · Center Avenue
20

Continue on Road 407

18 mi · 24 min · Road 407
21

At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 34

1.9 mi · 2 min · Highway 6 & 34
22

Continue on US 6; US 34

0.6 mi · 1 min · Nasby Street
23

Arrive at destination

US 6; US 34

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 127.4 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127.4 miles or 2h 35m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cambridge, 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 254.8 miles and 5h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 US 26 for about 84 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 127.4 mi from Scottsbluff, NE · 2h 35m into the drive

Downtown North Platte, NE, NE

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Platte, NE

127 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

North Platte, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Platte, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.4 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.

Arriving in Cambridge, NE

The final approach into Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, NE.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument

National Monument

Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Ri...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.70 one way

$77.40 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $42.66 $85.33
premium $4.80 $48.10 $96.20
diesel $5.64 $56.61 $113.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.4 0 $26.75 $12.23
Efficient EV 63.7 0 $22.29 $10.19
EV Truck/SUV 101.9 1 $35.67 $16.31

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Scottsbluff, NE

Afternoon in Scottsbluff on Monday

Local time

4:06 PM

MDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cambridge, NE

Evening in Cambridge on Monday

Local time

5:06 PM

CDT

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 later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

39 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

5h 5m 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 Cambridge, NE covers 254.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 26, I 80, South Jeffers 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 127.4 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 $38.70 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 5m drive. You will face about 15 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 8.9 miles (L-79E / Highway L79E): Lane positioning matters here; at 173 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Cambridge, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Mccook along the way.

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