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Trip from Scottsbluff, NE to Schuyler, NE

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

7h 31m

Distance

399.6 mi

643 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$62

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 22m ★
6 AM
7h 32m
8 AM
7h 52m
10 AM
7h 39m
12 PM
7h 37m
3 PM
7h 40m
5 PM
7h 51m
8 PM
7h 26m

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

city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States

Scottsbluff, NE

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Schuyler, NE covers 399.6 miles and takes about 7h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, US 26, Highway 30 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 186.6 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $62.47 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

199.8 miles from Scottsbluff, NE

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 7h 31m highway drive covering 399.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US 26. The longest continuous stretch is about 186.6 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 186.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 26. 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

The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 21 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

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 119.6 miles (North Spruce Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 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.
4
119.6 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | North Spruce Street

Turn right onto North Spruce Street

Navigation decision point

4
122.2 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | US 26; US 30; N-61; I 80 Alt

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

Navigation decision point

4
122.3 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | US 26; N-61 / South Highway 26/61

Turn right onto US 26; N-61 / South Highway 26/61

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Schuyler, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Island along the way.

Grand Island

310.2 mi in | ~5h 38m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 186.6 mi 3h 6m
US 26 84 mi 1h 39m
Highway 30 43.8 mi 52m
US Highway 26 12.5 mi 15m
Highway 92 11 mi 12m
US Highway 30 10.4 mi 12m
Road D 8.3 mi 8m
Highway 26 7.5 mi 9m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 186.6 mi, about 3h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

187 mi · 3 hr 6 min · I 80
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Grand Island
16

Turn left onto South Locust Street

4.4 mi · 5 min · South Locust Street
17

Turn right onto US 34; N-2; I 80 Alt

2.4 mi · 3 min · Highway 34
18

Turn left onto Husker Highway

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Husker Highway
19

Continue on South Gunbarrel Road

4.0 mi · 5 min · South Gunbarrel Road
20

Turn right onto US 30

18 mi · 21 min · Highway 30
21

Continue on US 30

0.9 mi · 1 min · G Street
22

Continue on US 30

0.6 mi · 1 min · 16th Street
23

Continue on US 30

26 mi · 31 min · Highway 30
24

Continue on US 30

10 mi · 12 min · US Highway 30
25

Continue on US 30

2.8 mi · 3 min · South 9th Street
26

Turn left onto US 30; US 81

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 30; US 81
27

Turn right onto 8th Street

2.0 mi · 3 min · 8th Street
28

Turn left onto 3rd Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue
29

Turn right onto US 30

4.0 mi · 5 min · 23rd Street
30

Continue on US 30

8.3 mi · 8 min · Road D
31

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Schuyler
32

Turn right onto Road 9

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Road 9
33

Continue on Road E

1.0 mi · 1 min · Road E
34

Continue on West 16th Street

0.5 mi · 58 sec · West 16th Street
35

Turn right onto N-15

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Colfax Street
36

Turn left onto East 11th Street

90 ft · 2 sec · East 11th Street
37

Arrive at destination

East 11th Street

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.8 miles from Scottsbluff, NE, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.6 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 88 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 199.8 miles or 3h 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Schuyler, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Scottsbluff, NE

This is one driving day of about 399.6 miles and 7h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Scottsbluff, NE.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 186.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 199.8 mi from Scottsbluff, NE · 3h 47m into the drive

Downtown North Platte, NE, NE

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Platte, NE

200 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

Grant, NE

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cozad, NE

Meal break

The midpoint is around 199.8 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 I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.6 miles.

Arriving in Schuyler, NE

The final approach into Schuyler, 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 Schuyler, NE.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.47 one way

$124.95 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 140 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $68.59 $137.19
premium $4.89 $76.90 $153.80
diesel $5.61 $88.23 $176.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$62

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 139.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 119.9 1 $41.96 $19.18
Efficient EV 99.9 1 $34.96 $15.98
EV Truck/SUV 159.8 1 $55.94 $25.57

Gas CO2

140 kg

EV CO2

47 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Scottsbluff, NE

Evening in Scottsbluff on Wednesday

Local time

5:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Schuyler, NE

Evening in Schuyler on Wednesday

Local time

6:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°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

31 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

7h 31m 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 Scottsbluff, NE to Schuyler, NE covers 399.6 miles and takes about 7h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US 26, Highway 30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 199.8 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 $62.47 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 7h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 21 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 119.6 miles (North Spruce Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Scottsbluff, NE to Schuyler, NE, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Island along the way.

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