Hwy 2 thru Nebraska

[Twotoes]

I will be in Custer State Park the week after Labor Day and then head to Omaha NE. I usualy take I-90 east to Sioux Falls and then go south on I-29. I am thinking this time of taking Hwy 385 south to Aliance NE and getting on Hwy 2 thru NE to Grand Island jumping on I-80 to Omaha. Has anyone traveled Hwy 2 thru NE? I usualy stay on the interstates but want to try some of the back roads and see more of the country.

[Kirk W]

It has been some time but I have traveled all of that route and it was a good one, but I suggest that instead of going down to another interstate highway, why not take US20 east from Chadron and then US75 south to Omaha? That way you will see a lot more and experience small-town America. It was a few years ago that I last traveled most of that route, but it has always been reasonably good, lower in traffic and you actually see something!

[DJohns]

Either route is beautiful country. If taking HWY 2 cut off at Ansley and take 92 into Omaha. Way less traffic than I80 into Omaha.

[Bill w/bus]

Stop in North Platte for the Bailey Yard.  Huge railroad yard with retired railroad docents in the lookout tower.  There is/was a Passport America campground on the east side of town. 

And stay off the interstates they can be bad for your mental health. Small towns give you more to see and do. 

Try US 6 across Pennsylvania. Great trip, lots of neat towns.  Roughly parallel to I  80. 

Bill