U.S. Highway 26 (US-26) is an eastâÂÂwest highway in western Nebraska. It enters the state from Wyoming just west of Henry. The eastern terminus of US-26 is in Ogallala at an interchange with Interstate 80 (I-80). The highway largely parallels the North Platte River for the majority of its route in Nebraska and as such, runs at a northwestâÂÂsoutheast angle. The highway also parallels the original paths of the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails.
US-26 enters Nebraska from Wyoming and shortly thereafter enters Henry. After passing through Morrill, US-26 becomes a divided highway. At Mitchell, US-26 meets Nebraska Highway 29 (NâÂÂ29). Continuing southeast, US-26 enters Scottsbluff. Through Scottsbluff, US-26 runs concurrent with NâÂÂ71 and NâÂÂ92 on a highway which goes through northern Scottsbluff. After NâÂÂ71 and NâÂÂ92 separate, US-26 continues to Minatare, where the divided highway ends. The highway runs due east until an intersection with Link L-62A (L-62A), when the highway turns south. US-26 passes through Bayard and, after crossing the North Platte River, meets with NâÂÂ92 again near Chimney Rock.
USâÂÂ26 and NâÂÂ92 turn southeast toward Bridgeport. At Bridgeport, NâÂÂ92 separates and USâÂÂ26 meets USâÂÂ385. They cross the North Platte River together and separate. USâÂÂ26 continues southeasterly on the north side of the North Platte River. At Broadwater, USâÂÂ26 begins its third concurrency with NâÂÂ92. They run together through Lisco, Oshkosh, and Lewellen. At Oshkosh, USâÂÂ26 meets N-27. At Lewellen, USâÂÂ26 and NâÂÂ92 separate for the last time and shortly thereafter, USâÂÂ26 crosses the North Platte River again. After passing through Ash Hollow State Historical Park, the highway passes through no communities until meeting NâÂÂ61 northwest of Ogallala. USâÂÂ26 runs concurrent with NâÂÂ61 the rest of its length in Nebraska. The two highways go south to USâÂÂ30, then the three highways run concurrent into Ogallala. They then separate from USâÂÂ30, turn south to cross the South Platte River and USâÂÂ26 ends at IâÂÂ80.
From the creation of the highway in 1926 until the 1930s, US-26 went north of the North Platte River east of Lewellen. This alignment went east to Martin, where USâÂÂ26 met N-61 and the two highways went south from there into Ogallala. When Lake McConaughy was built in the 1930s, the current alignment was constructed.