Tom -

Be aware that many areas of central and western Nebraska have had huge fires already this spring.
The all-time record heat and drought this winter have impacted most of the West.

https://nsco.unl.edu/news/wildfires-...-acres-burned/

I've ridden nearly every county in Nebraska.

Hwy 92 through the Sandhills is the most scenic east-west in Nebraska albeit with limited services.
There is often an inverse relationship between scenery and services.
From Broken Bow to Arthur is simply gorgeous.
Because most of the Sandhills were never plowed, you see the Great Plains as they once were.
There are sweet, paved county roads east and west of Broken Bow.
(There is a huge feedlot operation near Broken Bow that stinks to high heaven.)


Stevenson Lake Sunrise


Hwy 2 is another good option thru the Sandhills. Scenic, not quite as remote.
A major railway runs close to the highway much of the way, however.
Hwy 91 from Burwell to Dunning is an excellent eastern connector.
This route is almost as good as Hwy 92 scenery-wise.
Hwy 2 also had more convenient connections to the west -
depending on where you are going.

Eastern Nebraska has a bit more traffic and superlative routes are harder to come by.
There are only 2 crossing points of the Missouri between Omaha and Sioux City -
Blair - just north of Omaha; and Decatur - halfway between Blair and Sioux City.
Decatur has a lovely, small campground right on the river.
But - - - the Decatur bridge is steel mesh and a challenge to cross.

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The Eastern Express route runs only thru the southwest corner of Nebraska and offers little.
US 30 which parallels I-80 and often is right next to the Union Pacific railroad has little scenic interest.
It's flat, often with significant traffic, with lots of huge trains rumbling by.