Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2
Across the grass-covered dunes of the Sandhills on one of America’s emptiest two-lane roads, from Grand Island to Carhenge.
- Distance
- 503 km (312 mi)
- Driving
- 5 h 35 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- States
- NE
- Updated
- May 19, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 503 km (312 mi) with 7 stops, from Grand Island to Carhenge. About 5 h 35 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Nebraska
Route description
Begin in Grand Island; in March the nearby Platte River hosts hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes, one of the great wildlife events in North America. NE-2 heads north-west through Broken Bow, the last sizable town for a while.
Beyond Broken Bow the farmland gives way to the Sandhills, the largest area of sand dunes in the Western Hemisphere, held in place by prairie grass. The road follows a busy railroad line, so expect to race long coal trains through the empty hills.
At Halsey, the Bessey District of the Nebraska National Forest is the largest hand-planted forest in the country; drive up to the Scott Lookout Tower and camp under the pines. West of here, Mullen and Hyannis are small ranching towns with little more than fuel and a café.
Fill up whenever you can: gaps between gas stations are long. At Alliance, finish at Carhenge, a replica of Stonehenge made of gray-painted cars. Late spring and early fall are best; winter storms can close the road.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Grand Island
NE - 2145 km
Broken Bow
NE - 393 km
Nebraska National Forest, Bessey District
NatureHalsey, NEThe largest hand-planted forest in the US, started in 1902 to prove trees could grow in the Sandhills. Climb the Scott Lookout Tower for a view of pines against the dunes.
- 477 km
Mullen
NE - 571 km
Hyannis
NE - 6111 km
Alliance
NE - 76 km
Carhenge
OdditiesAlliance, NEStonehenge rebuilt from 39 gray-painted vintage cars, standing in a field in the Nebraska Sandhills.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Grand Island → Broken Bow · 90 mi · 1 h 37 min
- Day 2: Broken Bow → Mullen · 106 mi · 1 h 53 minOn the way: Nebraska National Forest, Bessey District.
- Day 3: Mullen → Carhenge · 117 mi · 2 h 05 minOn the way: Hyannis, Alliance.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Themes
FAQs
How long is Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2?
3-day road trip of about 503 km (312 mi) with 7 stops, from Grand Island to Carhenge. About 5 h 35 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2?
We suggest 3 days: about 5 h 35 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2 start and end?
It starts in Grand Island and ends in Carhenge.
Which states does Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2 pass through?
Nebraska.
Where can you camp along Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2?
OpenStreetMap lists 7 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Streeter Park Campground, Bessey Recreation Area and Natick Campground.
When is the best time for Nebraska Sandhills on Highway 2?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
