U.S. Route 20 in Nebraska
Encyclopedia
U.S. Highway 20 in Nebraska
is a major east–west artery running across northern Nebraska. It enters the state in sparsely populated northwest Nebraska as a rural two lane highway. It exits concurrently with Interstate 129
and U.S. Highway 75 by a Missouri River
crossing at South Sioux City
.
and continues 9 miles (14.5 km) before encountering the first city on the route, Harrison
. It then crosses the White River near Fort Robinson and, at Crawford
heads northeast where it meets with U.S. Highway 385 for two miles (3 km) before entering Chadron
. It then heads southeast toward Hay Springs
where it again turns in an east/northeasterly direction toward Merriman
. At this point U.S. 20 is only about 5 miles (8 km) from the South Dakota
border. From Merriman it heads east through the small towns of Cody
, Nenzel
, and Kilgore
to Valentine
. This 196 miles (315.4 km) section of U.S. 20 has been noted by the Department of Roads for its history and natural beauty and has been designated as the "Bridges to Buttes Byway."
At Valentine U.S. 20 heads south as it overlaps U.S. Highway 83 for 5 miles (8 km). It then continues southeast towards Ainsworth
passing through Wood Lake
and Johnstown
on the way. At Ainsworth it heads due east past Bassett
and Newport
. Then near Stuart
it follows the Elkhorn River
through Atkinson
and Emmet
before meeting up with U.S. 275 in O'Neill.
In O'Neill
U.S. 20 turns southeast and joins with U.S. Highway 275 for 13 miles (20.9 km), passing through Inman
before again branching off on its own. From there it passes through Orchard
, Royal
, Plainview
and Osmond
before it junctions with U.S. Highway 81. From there it continues east through Laurel
where it turns due north on a concurrency with Nebraska Highway 15
for 3 miles (4.8 km). Heading east again it passes through Willis and then Jackson
near the South Sioux City outskirts.
The last section of U.S. 20 is essentially a southern bypass of South Sioux City
. About one mile (1.6 km) before the U.S. 20/U.S. 75/77 Jct it becomes an expressway
. At the junction of U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 77 it joins with U.S. 75 and Interstate 129
as a freeway into Iowa
. From there it continues its function as a southeast bypass of Sioux City.
.
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
is a major east–west artery running across northern Nebraska. It enters the state in sparsely populated northwest Nebraska as a rural two lane highway. It exits concurrently with Interstate 129
Interstate 129
Interstate 129 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway which connects South Sioux City to Interstate 29 in Sioux City, Iowa. Opened in 1976, I-129 is a long route, running in Nebraska. At , Interstate 129 is the shortest highway in the state of Iowa...
and U.S. Highway 75 by a Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
crossing at South Sioux City
South Sioux City, Nebraska
-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,925 people, 4,304 households, and 2,961 families residing in the city. Of the 11,925 people, 48.6% are male and 51.4% are female. The population density was 2,431.6 people per square mile . There were 4,557 housing units at an average density of...
.
Route description
U.S. 20 enters Nebraska from Wyoming near the Niobrara RiverNiobrara River
The Niobrara River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, running through the U.S. states of Wyoming and Nebraska. The river drains one of the most arid sections of the Great Plains, and has a low flow for a river of its length...
and continues 9 miles (14.5 km) before encountering the first city on the route, Harrison
Harrison, Nebraska
Harrison is a village in Sioux County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 279 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sioux County.-Geography:Harrison is located at ....
. It then crosses the White River near Fort Robinson and, at Crawford
Crawford, Nebraska
Crawford is a city in Dawes County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 997 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated in 1886 and was named for the late Captain Emmet Crawford who had previously been stationed at nearby Fort Robinson.-Geography:...
heads northeast where it meets with U.S. Highway 385 for two miles (3 km) before entering Chadron
Chadron, Nebraska
Chadron is a city in Dawes County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 5,851 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dawes County. Chadron is the home of Chadron State College....
. It then heads southeast toward Hay Springs
Hay Springs, Nebraska
Hay Springs is a village in Sheridan County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 652 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hay Springs is located at ....
where it again turns in an east/northeasterly direction toward Merriman
Merriman, Nebraska
Merriman is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 118 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Merriman is located at ....
. At this point U.S. 20 is only about 5 miles (8 km) from the South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
border. From Merriman it heads east through the small towns of Cody
Cody, Nebraska
Cody is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 149.-Geography:Cody is located at ....
, Nenzel
Nenzel, Nebraska
Nenzel is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 13 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nenzel is located at ....
, and Kilgore
Kilgore, Nebraska
Kilgore is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 99 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kilgore is located at ....
to Valentine
Valentine, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,820 people, 1,209 households, and 733 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,401.1 people per square mile . There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 682.2 per square mile...
. This 196 miles (315.4 km) section of U.S. 20 has been noted by the Department of Roads for its history and natural beauty and has been designated as the "Bridges to Buttes Byway."
Ainsworth, Nebraska
Ainsworth is a city in Brown County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,862 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Brown County.-Geography:Ainsworth is located at ....
passing through Wood Lake
Wood Lake, Nebraska
Wood Lake is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 72 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wood Lake is located at ....
and Johnstown
Johnstown, Nebraska
Johnstown is a village in Brown County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 53 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Johnstown is located at ....
on the way. At Ainsworth it heads due east past Bassett
Bassett, Nebraska
Bassett is a city in Rock County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 743 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rock County.-Geography:Bassett is located at ....
and Newport
Newport, Nebraska
Newport is a village in Rock County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 98 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Newport is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
. Then near Stuart
Stuart, Nebraska
Stuart is a village in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 625 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Stuart is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
it follows the Elkhorn River
Elkhorn River
The Elkhorn River originates in the eastern Sandhills of Nebraska and is one of the largest tributaries of the Platte River, flowing and joining the Platte just southwest of Omaha, approximately 1 mile south and 3 miles west of Gretna.Located in northeast and north-central Nebraska, the Elkhorn...
through Atkinson
Atkinson, Nebraska
Atkinson, Nebraska is a city in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,244 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Atkinson is located at ....
and Emmet
Emmet, Nebraska
Emmet is a village in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 77 at the 2000 census.-History:Emmet was founded in 1882 on the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad...
before meeting up with U.S. 275 in O'Neill.
In O'Neill
O'Neill, Nebraska
O'Neill is a city in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,733 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Holt County.-Geography:O'Neill is located at ....
U.S. 20 turns southeast and joins with U.S. Highway 275 for 13 miles (20.9 km), passing through Inman
Inman, Nebraska
Inman is a village in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 148 at the 2000 census. The community is named after W.H. Inman, a merchant.-Geography:Inman is located at ....
before again branching off on its own. From there it passes through Orchard
Orchard, Nebraska
Orchard is a village in Antelope County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 379 at the 2010 census.-History:*Orchard Historical Society...
, Royal
Royal, Nebraska
Royal is a village in Antelope County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 75 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Royal is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
, Plainview
Plainview, Nebraska
Plainview is a city in Pierce County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,353 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Plainview is located at ....
and Osmond
Osmond, Nebraska
Osmond is a city in Pierce County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 796 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Osmond is located at ....
before it junctions with U.S. Highway 81. From there it continues east through Laurel
Laurel, Nebraska
Laurel is a city in Cedar County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 964 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Laurel is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
where it turns due north on a concurrency with Nebraska Highway 15
Nebraska Highway 15
Nebraska Highway 15 is a highway in Nebraska. It has a southern terminus at the Kansas border south of Fairbury and a northern terminus northeast of Maskell at the South Dakota border.-Route description:...
for 3 miles (4.8 km). Heading east again it passes through Willis and then Jackson
Jackson, Nebraska
Jackson is a village in Dakota County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area...
near the South Sioux City outskirts.
The last section of U.S. 20 is essentially a southern bypass of South Sioux City
South Sioux City, Nebraska
-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,925 people, 4,304 households, and 2,961 families residing in the city. Of the 11,925 people, 48.6% are male and 51.4% are female. The population density was 2,431.6 people per square mile . There were 4,557 housing units at an average density of...
. About one mile (1.6 km) before the U.S. 20/U.S. 75/77 Jct it becomes an expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
. At the junction of U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 77 it joins with U.S. 75 and Interstate 129
Interstate 129
Interstate 129 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway which connects South Sioux City to Interstate 29 in Sioux City, Iowa. Opened in 1976, I-129 is a long route, running in Nebraska. At , Interstate 129 is the shortest highway in the state of Iowa...
as a freeway into Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. From there it continues its function as a southeast bypass of Sioux City.
Former alignment
An older alignment of US-20 ran about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the current section east of Laurel. This alignment went due east from Laurel, passing just north of Dixon and Allen, then headed north to the current alignment along Nebraska Highway 9Nebraska Highway 9
Nebraska Highway 9 is a highway in northeastern Nebraska. The southern terminus is located just north of West Point at an intersection with U.S. Highway 275. Its northern terminus is at an intersection with Nebraska Highway 12 just south of Ponca....
.
Major intersections
| County | Location | Mile | Junction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Sioux County, Nebraska -National protected areas:* Agate Fossil Beds National Monument* Nebraska National Forest * Oglala National Grassland -Demographics:... |
0.00 | Wyoming border | ||
| Harrison Harrison, Nebraska Harrison is a village in Sioux County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 279 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sioux County.-Geography:Harrison is located at .... |
8.99 | |||
| Dawes Dawes County, Nebraska -National protected areas:*Nebraska National Forest *Oglala National Grassland *Pine Ridge National Recreation Area-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,060 people, 3,512 households, and 2,086 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile... |
Crawford Crawford, Nebraska Crawford is a city in Dawes County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 997 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated in 1886 and was named for the late Captain Emmet Crawford who had previously been stationed at nearby Fort Robinson.-Geography:... |
35.34 | West end of NE 2/NE 71 overlap | |
| 36.20 | East end of NE 2/NE 71 overlap | |||
| Whitney Whitney, Nebraska Whitney is a village in Dawes County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 77 at the 2010 census. Originally called Dawes City, then Earth Lodge, it was renamed in honor of a railroad official... |
45.07 | |||
| 56.06 | ||||
| 56.39 | West end of US 385 overlap | |||
| Chadron Chadron, Nebraska Chadron is a city in Dawes County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 5,851 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dawes County. Chadron is the home of Chadron State College.... |
58.59 | East end of US 385 overlap | ||
| Sheridan Sheridan County, Nebraska -History:Sheridan County was formed in 1885. It was named after General Philip H. Sheridan.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,198 people, 2,549 households, and 1,728 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile . There were 3,013 housing... |
Hay Springs Hay Springs, Nebraska Hay Springs is a village in Sheridan County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 652 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hay Springs is located at .... |
78.88 | West end of NE 87 overlap | |
| Rushville Rushville, Nebraska Rushville is a city in Sheridan County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 890 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Sheridan County.-Geography:Rushville is located at .... |
90.27 | East end of NE 87 overlap | ||
| 91.29 | ||||
| Gordon Gordon, Nebraska Gordon is a city in Sheridan County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,612 at the 2010 census.- Geography :Gordon is located at .... |
105.91 | |||
| Cherry Cherry County, Nebraska Cherry County is unusual in being split between two time zones, Mountain Time and Central Time. The lines between the two runs roughly north to south along the eastern third of the county. Cherry County is also the location of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, the Fort Niobrara National... |
Merriman Merriman, Nebraska Merriman is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 118 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Merriman is located at .... |
135.81 | West end of NE 61 overlap | |
| 135.84 | East end of NE 61 overlap | |||
| Nenzel Nenzel, Nebraska Nenzel is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 13 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nenzel is located at .... |
167.03 | |||
| Valentine Valentine, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,820 people, 1,209 households, and 733 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,401.1 people per square mile . There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 682.2 per square mile... |
196.72 | |||
| 196.92 | West end of US 83 overlap | |||
| 202.08 | East end of US 83 overlap | |||
| Brown Brown County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,525 people, 1,530 households, and 996 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,916 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile... |
Ainsworth Ainsworth, Nebraska Ainsworth is a city in Brown County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,862 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Brown County.-Geography:Ainsworth is located at .... |
242.08 | West end of NE 7 overlap | |
| Long Pine Long Pine, Nebraska Long Pine is a city in Brown County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 341 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Long Pine is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... |
247.55 | West end of US 183 overlap | ||
| 250.39 | ||||
| Rock Rock County, Nebraska -National protected areas:* John and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge* Niobrara National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,756 people, 763 households, and 501 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile . There were 935... |
Bassett Bassett, Nebraska Bassett is a city in Rock County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 743 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rock County.-Geography:Bassett is located at .... |
259.17 | East end of US 183/NE 7 overlap | |
| Newport Newport, Nebraska Newport is a village in Rock County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 98 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Newport is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.... |
270.25 | |||
| Holt Holt County, Nebraska -History:The county was created by an act of the Nebraska Legislature in 1862. It is named for Joseph Holt of Kentucky, who was Postmaster General and Secretary of War under President James Buchanan... |
Atkinson Atkinson, Nebraska Atkinson, Nebraska is a city in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,244 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Atkinson is located at .... |
289.25 | West end of NE 11 overlap | |
| 289.76 | East end of NE 11 overlap | |||
| O'Neill O'Neill, Nebraska O'Neill is a city in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,733 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Holt County.-Geography:O'Neill is located at .... |
307.09 | West end of US 281 overlap | ||
| 307.59 | East end of US 281 overlap, west end of US 275 overlap | |||
| 320.62 | East end of US 275 overlap | |||
| Page Page, Nebraska Page is a village in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 157 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Page is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.... |
322.80 | |||
| Ewing Ewing, Nebraska Ewing is a village in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 433 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ewing is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.... |
326.69 | |||
| Antelope Antelope County, Nebraska Antelope County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska, and was formed in 1871. As of 2010, the population estimate was 6,685. Its county seat is Neligh... |
342.73 | |||
| Brunswick Brunswick, Nebraska Brunswick is a village in Antelope County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 179 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Brunswick is located at .... |
345.77 | |||
| 349.75 | West end of NE 13 overlap | |||
| Pierce Pierce County, Nebraska -History:Pierce County was formed in 1856. It was named after President Franklin Pierce.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,857 people, 2,979 households, and 2,141 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile . There were 3,247 housing... |
Plainview Plainview, Nebraska Plainview is a city in Pierce County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,353 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Plainview is located at .... |
354.43 | East end of NE 13 overlap | |
| Osmond Osmond, Nebraska Osmond is a city in Pierce County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 796 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Osmond is located at .... |
364.55 | West end of NE 121 overlap | ||
| 367.84 | East end of NE 121 overlap | |||
| McLean McLean, Nebraska McLean is a village in Pierce County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Norfolk, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 38 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McLean is located at .... |
371.83 | |||
| 373.83 | ||||
| Cedar Cedar County, Nebraska -History:Cedar County was formed in 1855. It was named for the great number of cedars that grow there.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,615 people, 3,623 households, and 2,565 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile . There were... |
Belden Belden, Nebraska Belden is a village in Cedar County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 131 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Belden is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land.... |
385.36 | West end of NE 57 overlap | |
| 386.38 | East end of NE 57 overlap | |||
| Laurel Laurel, Nebraska Laurel is a city in Cedar County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 964 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Laurel is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.... |
391.41 | West end of NE 15 overlap | ||
| 393.92 | East end of NE 15 overlap | |||
| 394.62 | ||||
| Dixon Dixon County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,339 people, 2,413 households, and 1,705 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile . There were 2,673 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile... |
399.20 | |||
| 406.93 | West end of NE 9 overlap | |||
| 407.74 | East end of NE 9 overlap | |||
| Waterbury Waterbury, Nebraska Waterbury is a village in Dixon County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
413.05 | |||
| Dakota Dakota County, Nebraska -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 20,253 people, 7,095 households, and 5,087 families residing in the county. The population density was 77 people per square mile . There were 7,528 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile... |
418.07 | |||
| 426.33 | ||||
| South Sioux City South Sioux City, Nebraska -2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,925 people, 4,304 households, and 2,961 families residing in the city. Of the 11,925 people, 48.6% are male and 51.4% are female. The population density was 2,431.6 people per square mile . There were 4,557 housing units at an average density of... |
428.36 | West end of freeway section | ||
| West end of I-129 overlap | ||||
| 428.74 | – Fairgrounds | I-129 exit 1A, west end of US 75 overlap | ||
| 428.76 | – Sioux City Sioux City, Iowa Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state.... |
I-129 exit 1B | ||
| 429.86 | South Sioux City South Sioux City, Nebraska -2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,925 people, 4,304 households, and 2,961 families residing in the city. Of the 11,925 people, 48.6% are male and 51.4% are female. The population density was 2,431.6 people per square mile . There were 4,557 housing units at an average density of... , Dakota City Dakota City, Nebraska Dakota City is a city in Dakota County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Sioux City, IA–NE–SD Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,821 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dakota County... |
I-129 exit 2 | ||
| 431.57 | Iowa border at Sergeant Floyd Memorial Bridge over Missouri River | |||