Nebraska Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

When road-tripping around Nebraska, you’ll be amazed by how much natural beauty the state has. From the rolling hills of the Sandhills to the towering bluffs along the Missouri River, the Cornhusker State has something for everyone. There are many different routes to take, but no matter which one you pick, you will always be rewarded with breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. I highly recommend exploring this hidden gem of a state and checking out my list of the best Nebraska road trips. You won’t be disappointed!

1-Day Road Trip In Nebraska

By Flyingkow at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

• Route: Kimball > Lodgepole Creek > Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area > Scotts Bluff Monument > Fort Robinson State Park > Oglala National Grassland
• Distance: 170 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours driving time

If you're looking for the perfect one-day road trip, a drive along the least traveled road in Nebraska might be the solution. With only 170 miles in total, the scenic Highway 71, stretching from the borders of Colorado and South Dakota, offers a peaceful path with open roads and beautiful sights. So pack a picnic, hit the road, and enjoy stretches of ranch land, grasslands, and sights like Scotts Bluff Monument.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Nebraska

marekuliasz/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

• Route: Wood River > Loup Rivers Scenic Byway Interpretive Center > Dannebrog > Scotia > Ord > Taylor > Sandhills
• Distance: 141 miles
• Trip Time: 4 hours driving time

If you're planning a weekend road trip through Nebraska and looking for a scenic route with points of interest and places to stop with not a long drive time, the four-hour 141-mile Loup Rivers Scenic Byway is worth checking out. The drive takes you through the heart of central Nebraska, passing through beautiful farmlands and into the stunning Sandhills region. The byway gets its name from the North, Middle, and South Loup Rivers, and it follows Highways 11 and 91 before leading you to the Nebraska National Forest. Instead of rushing through the area, take your time and explore some of the charming towns like Dannebrog, Scotia, Ord, and Taylor along the way. It's a great way to experience Nebraska in a way that you just can't on the interstate.

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Western Nebraska Road Trip

JettyBo/TripAdvisor

• Route: Smith Falls State Park > Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge > Snake River Falls > Pine Ridge > Toadstool Geologic Park > Scotts Bluff National Monument > Chimney Rock > Courthouse & Jail Rocks > The Sandhills Scenic Byway > Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
• Distance: 662 miles
• Trip Time: 14 hours driving time

Are you excited about an unforgettable adventure through Western Nebraska? We’ve carefully planned a route that loops, taking you through some of the best natural wonders in the western area of Nebraska, like the rock formations of Courthouse and Jail Rocks, complete with scenic byways between stops. Be aware that this road trip is not short, it takes 14 hours, and a parks pass is required to access most of the attractions. It’s best to plan for a long weekend, the journey begins and ends at Smith Falls, but you can join or depart from the route at any point.

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Eastern Nebraska Road Trip

Dan Swanson

• Route: Captain Meriwether Lewis Dredge > Bailey House Museum > Peru State College > Seven Sisters Road > Ball Cemetery > Joslyn Castle > Fort Omaha > Hummel Park > Dana College > Barnard Park > Brother Sebastian's Steak House
• Distance: 189 miles
• Trip Time: 4 hours driving time

Love a good ghost story? Then this is the perfect adventure for you. Whether you're looking for a ghostly encounter at the Bailey House Museum or want to experience some of Nebraska's eerie history by taking a trip down Seven Sisters Road, these road trips will definitely satisfy your curiosity. So buckle up and get ready for a spine-tingling four-hour drive through some of Eastern Nebraska's spookiest places.

Best Nebraska Road Trip For Spring

NG City Cafe/Facebook

• Route: City Cafe > Crystal Cafe > Carter & Rye > Stauffer's Cafe & Pie Shop > The Farmer's Daughter Cafe > Picket Fence Cafe
• Distance: 431 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hours driving time

Looking for a great way to kick off the spring weather? Look no further than this charming, sweet adventure taking you on a journey through six of the state's best pie-serving restaurants. Whether you're looking for mouthwatering pies with fruit or decadent cream pies, you'll find something to satisfy your sweet tooth on this springtime road trip. And while you could rush through in just over seven hours, we recommend taking your time to savor the journey and enjoy the beautiful scenery between each stop.

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Best Summer Road Trip In Nebraska

kanbaatar/TripAdvisor

• Route: Bailey Yard and Golden Spike Tower > Cody Park Railroad Museum > The Station Restaurant > Trails and Rails Museum > Stuhr Museum Railroad Town > Stolley Park Railroad
• Distance: 573 miles
• Trip Time: 10 hours driving time

On the search for something to do during the slow summer months? If exploring the captivating relationship between Nebraska and trains interests you, consider taking a 10-hour epic train-themed road trip itinerary. Nebraska's history is closely tied to the role trains have played, many of the state's towns were established near the railroads in their early days, and you'll have the opportunity to visit some. Some notable railroad-themed attractions are the Cody Park Railroad Museum and Stuhr Museum Railroad Town, to name a few.

Best Nebraska Road Trip For Fall

John Carrel/Flickr

• Route: Edison > Rock Creek Station State Historical Park > Indian Cave State Park > Brownville
• Distance: 238 miles
• Trip Time: 4 hours driving time

Looking for the best fall foliage in Nebraska? Check out the Outlaw Scenic Byway! This four-hour scenic drive runs along the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers and is the perfect way to take in the changing colors of the leaves. Whether you start in South Sioux City or Valentine, you'll be in for a treat. And with an interactive map that lets you customize your trip, it's easier than ever to plan the perfect fall road trip. Mark it on your calendar, grab your camera, and you'll be ready to hit the road come autumn.

Best Winter Road Trip In Nebraska

Tim O'Brien/Flickr

• Route: Fort Robinson > Hemingford > North Platte > Minden > Chester > Seward > Nebraska City > Omaha > Ponca > Creighton
• Distance: 854 miles
• Trip Time: 14 hours driving time

Take a road trip through Nebraska's charming Christmas towns for the ultimate wintertime activity. This Nebraska road trip map will take you through quaint townships like Hemingford and North Platte, each decked out in festive decorations and activities, including a stop at Nebraska's Christmas City in Miden to see the famous courthouse light display. It's sure to be a magical experience, a must-do during the holiday season.

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Family Friendly Nebraska Road Trip

Cultiva Espresso & Crepes/Facebook

• Route: Serendipity Chocolate > Old Market Candy Shop > Chocolat Abeille > Chocolaterie Stam > The Cordial Cherry > Bakers Candies > Sweet Minou Chocolates > A Chocolate Studio
• Distance: 129 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours driving time

Who doesn't love the delicious taste of chocolate? If you're a fan of this sweet treat, you'll be pleased to know that some of the best chocolate can be found here in Nebraska. You'll visit some of the tastiest chocolate shops in the eastern part of the midwest state, like Serendipity Chocolate and Old Market Candy Shop, sampling caramels, truffles, and yummy chocolate-covered cherries. So bring your appetite and load up the car for this delightful family-friendly three-hour ride to some of the best chocolate shops in Nebraska.

Road Trip to Nebraska Landmarks & Natural Wonders

By National Park Service - National Park Service, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15230763

• Route: Crane Trust > Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center > Lincoln Saline Wetland Nature Center > Indian Cave State Park and the Missouri Valley > Wildlife Safari Park/Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park > Fontenelle Forest > Glacier Creek Preserve > Ashfall Fossil Beds > Niobrara Valley Preserve > Nebraska National Forest
• Distance: 735 miles
• Trip Time: 13.5 hours driving time

With so much to see and do in this state, it's hard to fit everything into just one or two road trips. But we've found some of the most spectacular natural wonders you won't want to miss in eastern and central Nebraska. Start your day at Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center - they offer plenty of walking trails that will take you over the gorgeous Platte River. You'll also stop at Fontenelle Forest and end your day at Nebraska National Forest in the Bessey Ranger District, the nation's largest hand-planted forest.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Nebraska

Brett Whaley/Flickr

• Route: Ogallala > Lake McConaughy > Ash Hollow State Historical Park > Lewellen > Oshkosh > Courthouse and Jail Rocks > Chimney Rock > Scotts Bluff National Monument > Kiowa State Wildlife Management Area > Morrill > Henry
• Distance: 148 miles
• Trip Time: 2.5 hours driving time

Nebraska is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the Great Plains, making it an excellent destination for scenic drives. One such drive, known as the "road to nowhere," is a great option to take in some of the state's most beautiful sights without getting out of your car. This journey will take around two and a half hours, follows 26, and then switches to Scenic Highway 92. It starts in the small town of Ogallala and ends at the Nebraska/Wyoming border in the tiny village of Henry. This is one of the most picturesque drives in Nebraska, and we think you'll love it as much as we do.

Have you taken any of these fantastic road trips? We’d love to hear from you – let us know! Need more Nebraska road trip ideas with outdoor adventures? Discover a pristine paradise at Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area. History buffs will love the Archway Monument in Kearney and ice cream enthusiasts will enjoy the sweet corn ice cream at this old-fashioned shop.

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.