There’s nothing quite like a country drive to help you get away from the busy world and clear your head. There are hundreds of country roads to travel in Nebraska, but if you want to drive for miles and miles without seeing another person, Highway 71 might be the perfect path.
Highway 71 runs through the panhandle from the Colorado border to the South Dakota border. It’s only 170 miles long, but it packs in a whole lot of Nebraska along the way.
By Stratosphere - Own work, CC0
The road starts (or ends, depending on the direction you’re traveling) a little south of Kimball. You can choose to take Old Highway 71 (S Chestnut Street) straight through the town, or take the newer route which veers off to the east.
By Ammodramus [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
If you keep your eyes open, you’ll see some beautiful sights like Lodgepole Creek (pictured above), historic farms, old churches, and a wealth of natural beauty.
By Ammodramus [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
You’ll pass right by Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, which is without question one of western Nebraska’s most breathtaking natural areas.
By DickClarkMises [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons
Keep driving and you’ll pass by Gering and Scottsbluff. The iconic Scotts Bluff Monument towers in the background - it’s a majestic sight from any distance.
By Flyingkow at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
But between the towns, what you’ll see on Highway 71 is a whole lot of this. Nothing but peaceful ranch land, quiet farms, stunning grasslands, and long stretches of open road.
TripAdvisor/EdwardL2
This is the kind of scenery that some out-of-staters find boring, but we Nebraskans know better. This is the quiet life we choose out here, and there’s nothing more beautiful.
TripAdvisor/EdwardL2
There are long distances between towns, and you’re likely to have the whole road to yourself along much of the journey. Isn’t that a breath of fresh air, particularly if you’re out here to escape from city life?
TripAdvisor/EdwardL2
Before hitting the South Dakota border, Highway 71 will take you past Fort Robinson State Park and straight into Oglala National Grassland. This area is one of those hidden gems that most people from outside of the region don’t know about, and its raw natural beauty is simply awe-inspiring.
By Brian Kell (Bkell) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
This may be Nebraska’s least-traveled road, but once you take this drive you’ll want to come back to drive it again. Have you ever driven the whole route? Tell us about your trip in the comments!
By Stratosphere - Own work, CC0
By Ammodramus [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
By DickClarkMises [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons
By Flyingkow at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
TripAdvisor/EdwardL2
By Brian Kell (Bkell) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Looking for more scenic drives in Nebraska? Here are our nine official scenic byways.
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