I'm fairly certain that the best drive in the state of Nebraska is state highway 27 between Gordon and Ellsworth. Fifty-five miles of winding road, rising and falling through the near-absolute isolation of the sand hills. Just make sure to fill your tank beforehand; There's about 90 miles between gas stations.
The above photograph is from downtown Bayard in the shadow (figuratively) of Chimney Rock.
Also visited: Alliance, Hay Springs, Rushville, Lakeside, Antioch and McGrew.