No worries. I have heard that about Nebraska. I haven't been out that way since I was a kid and I wasn't the one driving then, so it's all going to be new to me. I think even if I dipped down into Iowa, there isn't going to be much different in the way of scenery!
Probably not, just be careful if you're doing it in winter, I've only done it once and that was mid summer!
Fourth of July weekend, so we should be good. I know those thunderstorms can come down out of the mountains pretty quickly though!
Yeah you should be fine then! About the worst drive I can remember was crossing Texas from east to west. It seemed like it would never end....