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Home » North America » USA » Oregon

Epic Oregon Road Trip Travel Guide | Best Routes in 2024!

Going on a  road trip in Oregon  has to be one of the best ways to experience the state! With your own car and the freedom of the road, you’ll be able to go wherever you want and see whatever you like in this glorious state.

Oregon is a magical place full of beautiful landscapes, interesting people, and amazing food and drink. There are few other destinations in the world where you can surf and ski in the same day and, for that matter, drink some of the best beer of your life all the while.

There’s a lot to do in Oregon but, make no mistake, this is a big, wide-open state, one that requires plenty of time and patience to see.

Renting a car in a foreign state or country can be intimidating. Travelers may not know where to go or what to do. They may be worried about expenses or spending too much money pointlessly as well.

Don’t worry – we have the insider information you need for an EPIC Oregon road trip.

Written by a road-trip expert and local, this epic guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Oregon by car or campervan.

We’ll show you exactly how to stick to a budget, tell you about the best things in Oregon, and give you plenty of ideas and itineraries so you can easily plan out your entire trip!

So let’s start planning your dream Oregon road trip!

road trip oregon

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Oregon Road Trips Costs

Best road trip in oregon.

  • The Oregon Coast

The Cascades Itinerary

Eastern oregon road trip, the grand tour oregon itinerary, places to visit in oregon, oregon road trip tips, apartments and hotels in oregon, renting a car or campervan in oregon.

Oregon is about average when it comes to the costs of living, though it is quickly becoming one of the more expensive states. A road trip in Oregon can be affordable or it could be expensive – it all depends on how you want to do it.

We at The Broke Backpacker always try to go on affordable adventures and are always looking for ways to travel cheap ! Even if we are unable to travel for $10/day, as we do in our favorite countries, we can at least help you reduce the prices of an Oregon road trip.

The average daily budget for an Oregon road trip is between $150-$200 – this includes gas, a rental car, lodging, food, drink, and entry into certain attractions. Make note of this number but please do not let it discourage you – we’re going to show how to reduce it to a more budget-friendly amount soon.

Gas will undoubtedly be your largest expense while on a road trip in Oregon. It’s sometimes hard to predict how much gas you will use but it is almost always is more than you expect. Do not take this expense lightly and do you everything you can to limit it.

Other than gas, the costs associated with a road trip in Oregon really come down to how you want to travel, eat, sleep, and drink. These run gamut from driving in a cheap economy car to a gas-guzzling SUV and eating out in expensive restaurants to cooking your own food at a campground.

If you are mostly cooking for yourself, camping, and exploring Oregon’s wild places, you can reduce that cost in half. Traveling with at least one other person will also keep costs much lower.

Think about what you want to do on your Oregon road trip route and then set a budget.

Below is a breakdown of the average costs of a road trip in Oregon.

hidden waterfall marion falls oregon photography roaming ralph

Average Costs of an Oregon Road Trip

Rental car :  $30-$100

RV rental :  $100-$300

Gallon of gas:  $3.23

Private AirBnB home:  $80

Hotel room:  $120

Hostel:  $25-$30

Campground:  $5-$15 (sometimes free!)

Sandwich:  $6-$9

Beer at a bar:  $5-$7

Coffee:  $2-$3

Bottle of Whiskey from market:  $20

Dinner for two:  $30-$50

  • The Oregon Coast – 4 days
  • The Cascades – 7 days
  • Eastern Oregon  – 10 days
  • The Grand Tour Oregon – 14 days

Below is a list of sample Oregon road trip routes. Varying from 5 to 14 days in length, they cover many of the top destinations in Oregon. Each itinerary provides day-by-day highlights, which are meant to give you some good Oregon road trip ideas.

road trip oregon

The USA is  blisteringly beautiful. It’s also blisteringly expensive! Visiting two national parks in day can run you $70+ in entry fees.

Orrrr… you kick those entry fees to the curb, buy an annual ‘America the Beautiful Pass’ for $79.99,  and get unlimited access to ALL 2000+ federally managed sites in the States totally FREE!

You do the math. 😉

The Oregon Coast is probably the most beloved road trip in the entire state and is a popular area for a holiday stay with both locals and out-of-towners. People flock here to get away from the rat race for a little while and tend to just laze about on the beach or in a local diner.

The Oregon Coast itself is not well-known for its warm weather or clear days, but rather its rugged beauty. Dramatic cliffs, tide pools, and sea stacks are the most notable landmarks here – palm trees are markedly absent.

The best part about a road trip on Oregon Highway 101 is that you’ll never be far away from the coast. This route hugs the near entirety of the shoreline and only deviates when passing through an epic forest. For 90% of the way, it’ll just be you and the ocean.

oregon road trip map itinerary 4 days

  • Bandon by the Sea
  • Samuel H Boardman Park
  • Ecola State Park
  • Cape Perpetua
  • Florence Sand Dunes
  • Pacific City Camping Resort Yurts
  • Windermere on the Beach  (Bandon)
  • Ecola Creek Lodge  (Cannon Beach)
  • Norblad Hotel  (Astoria)
  • McMenamins Gearhart Hotel  (Gearhart)
  • Shucking fresh oysters
  • Bonfires on the beach
  • Surfing at Oswald West
  • Whale watching

The entire way.

  • Pelican Brewery (Cape Kiwanda)
  • The Schooner (Netarts)
  • Fort George Brewery (Astoria)
  • Local Ocean Seafoods (Newport)
  • Mattie’s (Brooking)
  • Festival of the Dark Arts in Astoria (February)
  • Goonies Day in Astoria (June)
  • Newport Seafood and Wine Fest (February)
  • South Coast Clambake and Jazz Fest (March)
  • Southern Oregon Kite Festival (July)

ecola state park oregon coast road trip

Oregon’s Cascade Range is not the highest nor the most epic in the USA – these mountains are fairly gentle and draw attention only when there is a volcano around. Hidden in the lush fur of these slopes though are, hands-down, the best waterfalls in the country, not to mention some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Better yet, some of Oregon’s best cabins and treehouses are found here, so book a stay amongst the forests for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Mt Hood and Crater Lake are the Cascade’s most famous landmarks and both are must see places in Oregon. In between these two are countless more treasures, including, but not limited to, Jefferson Park, Marion Falls, Clear Lake, and the Three Sisters Wilderness. I’m barely scratching the surface as well.

Following a road trip in the Cascades, you will also have the chance to drive up the Willamette Valley, which has some of the finest Pinot Noirs in the world. Nothing really beats a glass of wine or a B&B at a vineyard after spending a week in the mountains.

map of oregon travel itinerary

  • Crater Lake
  • Columbia River Gorge
  • Willamette Valley vineyards
  • Lots of waterfalls
  • Maverick Inn  (Klamath Falls)
  • Pacific Crest Trailhouse  (Cascade Locks)
  • Eugene Whitaker House
  • Bunk + Brews Historic Lucas House  (Bend)
  • Hiking/skiing at Mt Hood
  • Rock climbing at Smith Rock
  • Swimming at Crater Lake
  • Willamette Valley wine tours
  • Waterfall photography
  • Crater Lake Rim Road
  • Highway 138
  • Crux Fermentation Science (Bend)
  • Sam Bond’s Garage (Eugene)
  • Caspian Cafe (Eugene)
  • The Painted Lady (McMinnville)
  • Ritter’s Housemade Foods (Salem)
  • Oregon Country Fair (July)
  • International Pinot Noir Celebration (July)
  • Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival (April/March)
  • Tigard Festival of Balloons (June)
  • Bend Brew Festival (August)

If you need more recommendations on where to stay on your road trip, check out these cottages in Oregon .

crater lake in the summer oregon road trip

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A visit to Eastern Oregon will be a wholly unique experience compared to the Western portion of the state. Deciduous rainforests and beaches are swapped for desert-scapes and hazy mountains. If you wanted to see a side of Oregon that few are even aware, this is the one.

There are lots of things to do in Eastern Oregon. Smith Rock offers some of the best climbing in the country while the Wallowas (AKA the Oregon Alps) offer some of the best skiing and hiking in Colorado . Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert are two of the greatest hidden gems on the West Coast and are known only to adventurous Oregonians.

The culture is also distinct from the rest of the state. Cowboys, whiskey guzzlers, social pariahs; all of these are the types of people you’ll see in Eastern Oregon.

map of oregon travel itinerary

  • Painted Hills
  • Steens Mountains
  • Hell’s Canyon
  • Dreamer’s Lodge  (John Day)
  • Eagle Cap Chalets  (Joseph)
  • Rory and Ryan Inn  (Burns)
  • Brewery tours in Bend
  • Snowboarding at Mt Bachelor
  • Hiking in Wallowas
  • Desert scenery
  • Cowboys in Pendleton
  • Steens Mountain Road
  • Scenic Lakes Byway
  • Deschutes Brewing (Bend)
  • McKay Cottage (Bend)
  • Roosters Country Kitchen (Pendleton)
  • Arrowhead Chocolates (Joseph)
  • Sisters Folk Festival (September)
  • Deschutes County Fair (August)
  • Pendleton Whiskey Music Fest (July)

steens mountain oregon

This the best road trip in Oregon – hands-down. Hell, this is one of the best drives in the USA ! You see everything and then some! The coast, the Cascades, the deserts of Eastern Oregon; all of these areas will be available to you with this itinerary.

In addition to the grand majority of the locations listed above, you will also have more time in Southern Oregon. This region is one of the most neglected parts of the state, which is unfair considering what it offers. The river rafting is epic, Ashland is one of the most charming cities you’ve never heard of, and the wine is arguably even better than that of the Willamette Valley.

So if you have time to kill and want to see the best of Oregon, look no further than this route. Oregon is beautiful and this is the best way to see it.

oregon road trip map itinerary 14 days

  • Eastern Oregon
  • Timberline Lodge
  • Traveler’s House  (Portland)
  • The Ashland Hostel
  • Columbia Hotel  (Ashland)
  • Everywhere else mentioned prior
  • Skiing at Mt Hood
  • Climbing at Smith Rock
  • Rafting in Southern Oregon
  • Chilling in Ashland
  • Wine and beer tours
  • Seafood on the coast
  • Hiking in the Wallowas
  • Growler’s Taproom (Portland)
  • Shalom Y’all (Portland)
  • Cartopia (Portland)
  • Brother’s Restaurant (Ashland)
  • Cafe Broder (Portland
  • Everything else mentioned in this guide
  • Ashland Shakespeare Festival (February)
  • Portland Brewer’s Festival (July)
  • Portland Rose Festival and Parade (May/June)
  • Portland Waterfront Blue’s Festival (July)
  • Pickathon (August)
  • Portland MFNW (August)

multnomah falls winter landscape oregon road trip

Below is a list of the best road trip stops in Oregon. Study them well and decide which ones you like the most.

Road Trip to Portland

The City of Roses. Little Beirut. Rip City. Bridgetown. Stumptown. Call it what you will but few names can actually capture the intangible flavor and uniqueness that Portland excludes in abundance.

For years, Portland was a city of obscurity, full of eccentrics and abject people. For residents, this anonymity was an ideal situation that allowed them to cultivate their weirdness. Portland has only been “discovered” in recent years by the rest of the world and has since developed into a full-on tourist destination.

Portland is not a big city by American standards. There are no large attractions in Portland like a Hollywood Sign or Liberty Bell. Life is simpler (and better) in Portland because people care mostly about good food, good beer, and good health (both physically and spiritually). For these reasons, the best things to do in Portland are to just eat, drink, and go for a walk.

portland oregon and mt hood at dusk from pittock mansion

The best districts in Portland to walk around are definitely the Alphabet District , the Pearl, Alberta Arts , Hawthorne , and Laurelhurst . Other neighborhoods like Belmont, Mississippi, Division, and Chinatown are also worth visiting. On either side of the Willamette River are the Eastbank Esplanade and Tom McCall Waterfront , which are both great places to wander around.

A hike through the lush Forest Park makes for a lovely day. Inside and on the outskirts of the large park are some of Portland’s best attractions like Pittock Mansion , the Rose Gardens , and Japanese Gardens .

If there were must-see landmarks in Portland then they’d probably the bridges. Portlandians are in love with their bridges and take great pride in them. St. John’s Bridge is a crowd favorite as is the iron Hawthorne Bridge.

I’d go into more detail on the city, and talk about the many restaurants and bars, but, unfortunately, there is not enough time and space available in this guide. That’s what the our Portland Budget Travel guide is for – blessings!

  And the  coolest places in Portland to go .

  Craft a killer  Portland travel itinerary .

  Read about the  coolest hostels in Portland .

  And book a killer  Airbnb Portland apartment .

Road Trip through the Columbia River Gorge

With endless outdoor opportunities, the much loved Columbia River Gorge is like a playground for adults! Those looking for the best hikes near Portland should head directly to this scenic area. Also, there are some excellent breweries nearby offering crucial post-hike beers.

Starting in Troutdale and driving along the  Historic Columbia River Highway , you’ll first arrive at the Portland Women’s Forum , which has one of the most iconic views of the Gorge. You’ll see the Vista House perched on the walls of the gorge in the distance as well as the Columbia River .

From there you can continue on to picturesque Laurotell Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (see if you can find the elusive Upper Bridal Veil Fall ). Nearby Angel’s Rest is a very popular sunset hike for locals as well.

columbia river gorge from womens forum viewpoint

The next stop is Multnomah Falls, which is arguably the most spectacular waterfall in Oregon. This near-perfect waterfall drops over 500 ft amidst verdant foliage and is one of the most photographed places in Oregon. In front of the falls is an equally photogenic bridge, which makes the scene look like Rivendell.

Beyond Multnomah Falls, you’ll pass by many other superlative portions of the Gorge, notably Oneonta Gorge and Eagle Creek . These are some of the most beautiful places in Oregon as well as the most crowded. Note that this part of the Gorge was damaged recently by a wildfire and that some trails may be closed.

Past Eagle Creek is Cascade Locks, home to the historical Bridge of the Gods, which is where the PCT crosses into Washington. Further along is the Hood River, which is one of the coolest towns in Oregon. Here are, hands-down, some of the best breweries in Oregon in addition to some killer windsurfing and gorgeous views of Mt Hood and Mt Adams.

Road Trip to Mt Hood

Oregon’s pride and joy, the image that most Oregonians can recall from their earliest memories, is Mt Hood. For outdoor enthusiasts and mountain lovers, Mt Hood will be the crowning achievement on their road trip in Oregon.

Getting to Mt Hood is very easy as one of the states main arteries ( Highway 26 ) runs literally right next to it. The drive is gorgeous and a little perilous if you’re visiting Mt Hood in the winter.

If your car is not able to drive in the snow, which is very common beyond December, you can still catch a local shuttle in Sandy to the main alpine settlements: Government Camp and Timberline , the latter of which is famous for appearing in Stanley Kubrik’s The Shining .

Along 26 are several stops that you should absolutely make time for. Trillium Lake and Mirror Lake are local favorites, however, it’s also one of the most famous hikes in the USA , so the trails can be quite crowded.

mt hood pink sunset trillium lake snow roaming ralph photography

There are several awesome spots on the eastern and northern flanks of Mt Hood that can be accessed by several forest roads. Cloud Cap , Tamanawas Falls , and Lost Lake are great places to check out.

If you’re a skier, then Mt Hood is unquestionably one of the best places in Oregon to visit in the winter. The skiing here is world-class and runs come in many forms, from tended to the backcountry. If you’re visiting Oregon in the summer, no worries; Timberline Lodge has the longest ski season in the country and is open 365 days a year.

Mt Hood is one of the most climbed glaciated mountains on the planet, second only to Mt Fuji. It is a great introductory peak for beginners and requires only a long day to summit. You will still need the proper adventure equipment to climb in as well as current condition reports.

Oregon Coast Road Trip

The Oregon Coast is not the typical kind of beach getaway – it’s not warm, it’s not very comfortable, and it’s not at all like those tropical postcards.

oRainy, rugged, and utterly romantic, the Oregon Coast is a marvel in its own way. If you’re travelling the USA for the adventure and appreciate a harsher beauty(or possibly like to wear both sandals and sweaters at the same time), you will instantly fall in love with this place.

The Coast is long and nearly 100% accessible via the Oregon Coast Highway 101 . A road trip on this highway will give you tons of opportunities to experience the local attractions. The Oregon Coast can roughly be divided into three parts (North, Central, and South) and between the three, there are, honestly, too many things to see and do.

oregon coast sunset at indian beach oregon coast road trip roaming ralph photography

Starting north you have the top weekend getaways for Portlandians – Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Manzanita. Astoria is mostly famous for being the setting for Steven Spielberg’s The Goonies.

Seaside is a cute town popular with families and is a bit touristy. Cannon Beach is equally as touristy but hosts the stunning Haystack Rock.

Manzanita is the most laidback of the bunch and is aw great base for day trips to Oswald West State Park and Neahkahnie Mountain , both of which offer some of the best Oregon Coast hikes.

Moving south we head past Tillamook , the cheese capital of Oregon, and past Cape Kiwanda, one of my favorite places in Oregon, before arriving in Newport , famous for the highly-regarded Oregon Coast Aquarium . Beyond Newport is ultra-rugged Cape Perpetua , home to the Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, and Sea Lion Caves.

After Perpetua, we drive to Florence and the epic Oregon Sand Dunes , which originally inspired Frank Herbert to write the sci-fi masterpiece, Dune . Quad biking on the dunes is one of the most popular things to do on the Oregon Coast, though there are plenty of other places to go for a nice walk.

Saving the best for last, we wrap our Oregon Coast road trip in the south. The stretch between Bandon and Brookings is superlative with state parks like Face Rock, Samuel H. Boardman, and Pistol River all providing amazing settings. Some of the best hikes on the Oregon Coast are also around Boardman.

Willamette Valley Road Trip

The Willamette Valley is the breadbasket of Oregon and the source of much of its delicious produce. It also hosts some of the most respected wineries in the USA, which produce some of the finest Pinots in the entire world, not to mention a number of interesting towns and natural attractions.

The Willamette Valley runs for about 150 miles from Portland south to Eugene . The largest highway in Oregon, Interstate 5 , runs through the Willamette Valley meaning you can travel by car to California .

I5 itself doesn’t really have a lot of great views and the drive itself is pretty boring. Deviate slightly from I5 and there’s lots more though.

There are over 500 wineries spread throughout the Willamette Valley. The greatest concentration of wineries is around Highway 18 near McMinnville, Salem, and Newberg . You could easily spend an entire day touring these vineyards and trying some of the best wine in the country but please remember to drive safely.

willamette valley winery and countryside oregon road trip

To the west of the Willamette Valley, you’ll the see the Cascade Range rising. The Cascades, running all the way from Washington to California, are like the geographic spine of the state and heavily influence the weather.

Hidden inside of the Cascades are some more great waterfalls, which make for great day hikes close to Portland.

Silver Falls State Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Oregon because it offers great scenery and easy trails. Nearby is the much more intimate albeit difficult Abiqua Falls , which has become a local favorite.

Penetrate even deeper into the Cascades and you’ll find hidden gems like Olallie Lake, Bagby Hot Springs, Jefferson Park, Marion Falls, and Three Fingered Jack.

Eugene is worth dropping by if you have a moment. Eugene was once considered the “hippie capital” of Oregon though it’s more gentrified now. You can still get a taste of the counterculture in the bluesy Whitaker District.

Road Trip to Bend

Located on the other side of the Cascades in the High Oregon Desert, Bend is, in a lot of ways, like a foil to Portland. Bend is smaller, more rural, more politically conservative, and even more laid back than “big city” Portland.

Bend still has that quintessential Oregon charm though and ultimately makes for an awesome stop on any Oregon road trip route.

You’ll have to cross the Cascades in order to arrive in Bend. You can cross the Cascades via several passes and each offers their own set of attractions. I personally enjoy driving along Highway 20/126 because I have a chance to visit some of my favorite places in Oregon including Koosah Falls, Clear Lake, Tamolitch Falls, Proxy Falls, and Linton Falls . Note that only the larger highways like 26 may be open in winter.

Bend mostly gets attention for the surrounding landscape, which you’ll be introduced to on the drive in. The city itself is really cool though and actually a really fun place in Oregon to hang in, so it’s definitely worth staying in Bend for a couple nights. If you need ideas for places to stay in Bend, consider checking out one of the incredible vacation rentals . The local breweries, like Deschutes and Crux , are some of the finest in the state and the food ain’t bad either.

People usually head outdoors immediately upon arriving in Bend. Around the city are some of the best mountain biking, skiing, climbing, and hiking in Oregon, making the area a paradise for outdoors people.

smith rock near end oregon road trip roaming ralph photography

Nearby Mt Bachelor is one of the best places to visit in Oregon in winter as the snow is legendary. North of Bend is the holy Smith Rock , which is often considered the birthplace of American rock climbing. East is endless sagebrush.

I definitely suggest driving on the Cascades Lakes Byway in the summer. You can visit local favorites like Tumalo Falls and Sparks Lake , all the while being afforded views of the Three Sisters . South Sister is a popular and relatively easy climb.

Road Trip to Crater Lake

Oregon only has one national park but it is easily one of the most stunning parks in the USA . Crater Lake is a marvel, an enormous body of water held high in the air on top of a collapsed volcano. The water is one of the deepest shades of blue that you will ever see and, officially, some of the clearest. There’s simply nothing else like it in the world.

Crater Lake is located a couple hours south of Bend in the Cascade Mountains. There are several entrances to the park but only one, Munson Valley via Highway 62 , is open (sometimes) in the winter. You’ll have to pay to enter the park though rates change depending on the time of year (summer: $25 winter: $15).

There is a lot to do at Crater Lake, though most people just stand there and stare in awe at it. You can hike, climb to one of the many surrounding peaks, descend down to the lake’s edge for a very cold swim, or simply drive around the rim in the summer on the Rim Road.

crater lake sunset roaming ralph photography

Several times in the year the road is closed to vehicular traffic so that bikers and pedestrians may enjoy the park without being disturbed, which is a really nice touch.

Though there is more to do in the summer, the best time of year to visit Crater Lake is in the winter. During this time, there are very few people, tons of snow, and just a powerful stillness to the place. The silence in the winter is almost total and you’ll be shocked, maybe even scared at how serene it is.

You can, of course, camp at Crater Lake though campgrounds can fill really quick. If you strike out camping, the nearest large town is Klamath Falls and it has plenty of lodging.

An Eastern Oregon road trip is a must for anyone who wants to get the full Oregonian experience. Some of the USA’s most beautiful places are found in this part of the state and anyone interested in a more rugged adventure will enjoy Eastern Oregon very much.

A lot of people often imagine Oregon covered in trees and being rained on 24/7; few realize that almost two-thirds of the state is actually a mix of desert terrain and stark mountains.

Lying on the other side of the Cascades, Eastern Oregon is, contrary to the common image, arid, hot, and sometimes bitterly cold. This austere landscape is gorgeous though and only solidifies Oregon as one of the most geographically diverse states in the USA.

painted hills viewpoint sunset oregon road trip roaming ralph photography

The most popular place in Eastern Oregon is probably the kaleidoscopic Painted Hills , located in the John Day Fossil Beds . These hills are a geologic wonder and famous for their bright colors.

Surrounding the John Day area are the Ochoco, Malheur, and Umatilla forests as well as the Blue Mountains and Strawberry Mountains . Fun fact: the Blue Mountains are home to the world’s largest organism – a 2400-year-old fungus that covers over 2,000 acres.

In the far northeastern corner of the state are the Wallowa Mountains aka “The Alps of Oregon.” The Wallowas are an outdoor wonderland that offer great skiing opportunities and some of the best hikes in Oregon.

Most of the Wallowa Mountains fall within the Eagle Cap Wilderness though local townships like Joseph and Enterprise are worth visiting as well.

Nearby to the Wallowas is the historically significant Snake River and Hell’s Canyon , the deepest canyon in the entire United States.

There are many more hidden parts in Eastern Oregon that are really out in the middle of nowhere. To learn more about some of these remote locations among others, refer to the section below where we talk about secret Oregon.

road trip oregon

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Off The Beaten Path Oregon Road Trip Ideas

Oregon has so many hidden treasures for you to discover! To see something different, start with these relatively unknown locations, which are among the most uniques places to visit in Oregon.

1. Steens Mountains

The epitome of off-the-beaten-path in Oregon; these mountains are located in the far southeastern corner of the state and it takes a real journey to get here. Drive to the top of the mountains via the astounding Steens Mountain Road .

Be on the lookout for wild horses and, in the autumn, the golden aspens. On the other side of the Steens is the Alvord Desert – a surreal playa that is popular among both artists and off-roaders who like to go for joy rides.

2. Owyhee Canyonlands

One of the last untouched desert frontiers in America, full of hoodoos, stone towers, and delicate ravines. The Owyhee Canyonlands are often compared to the national parks and landscapes of Utah  albeit not as extensive.

Popular among hikers, rock climbers, and river rafters though not many people actually make it out this far due to rough and remote roads. Definitely one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Oregon.

3. Southern Oregon Road Trip

Though not exactly hidden, Southern Oregon often receives far less attention than the rest of the state. People usually visit to attend the famous Shakespeare Festival in charming Ashland or when passing through on a road trip from California, but there is a lot more happening than most are aware of.

The Rogue Valley has a burgeoning wine and beer scene that will soon rival the Willamette Valley. In terms of natural attractions, there is the Rogue River with its world-class rapids as well as the rugged Siskiyou Mountains and Oregon Caves , all of which make for great adventures.

lounging in the alvord desert with an umbrella eastern oregon road trip

Oregon Roadside Attractions

Americans have a weird affinity to the strange landmarks that are usually found out in the middle of nowhere. The roadside attractions in Oregon have become so admired that many people go on a trip just see them!

Below is a list of some of the most interesting roadside attractions in Oregon. Did we mention that a lot of these stops are among the best cheap things to do in Oregon as well?

  • Peace Candle of the World (Scappoose) – A former silo that was filled with wax and painted red to resemble a giant candle. Promotes world peace.
  • Enchanted Forest (Salem) – An amusement park filled with fairytale-themed rides and attractions. Whimsical and a little creepy.
  • The Oregon Vortex (Gold Hill) – Place where the laws of physics are purportedly non-existent due to paranormal activity.
  • Short Bridge Ghost Town (Short Bridge) – A seemingly derelict town that is actually a very well designed prop.
  • Octopus Tree (Tillamook) – An old spruce tree that came to be shaped like an octopus by unknown means.
  • Prehistoric Gardens (Port Orford) – A series of lifesize dinosaur recreations in the coastal rainforest. Intended to look like a prehistoric zoo.
  • Peterson Rock Garden (Redmond) – An estate full intricate statues and structures made from rocks and stones.
  • Oregon Corndog (Rockaway Beach) – Home to the world’s largest (artificial) corn dog. There’s also a bucking mechanical corn dog ride complete with a saddle.
  • Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum (McMinnville) – Holy ground for anyone interest in aviation. Hosts a large collection of planes, most importantly the Spruce Goose, one of the largest planes ever designed.
  • Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health (Salem) – A real mental institution that was used for filming One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Now displays important artifacts from the movie as well as archaic therapeutic techniques.

octopus tree oregon roadside attraction

Oregon Scenic Drives

Everywhere you look in Oregon, there’s beauty; much of it can be seen from the seat of your car! Those who want a glimpse of the state’s splendor from behind the wheel should definitely check out these scenic drives in Oregon.

  • Highway 101 – A road trip on Oregon Highway 101 is a great way to experience the best of the Oregon Coast. Most of the Oregon coast’s top attractions are within a stone’s throw from the highway as well. Highlights include the views from the slope of Neahkahnie Mountain, driving past the Oregon Dunes , and seeing the sea stacks of Bandon and/or Cannon Beach . This highway also makes for a natural transition when road tripping from California as the 101 runs all the way up the West Coast to Washington .
  • Interstate 84 – Drive through one of Oregon’s greatest points of pride: the Columbia River Gorge. With high walls and dense woods, the Gorge is like something out of Scandinavia. Aside from being gorgeous by itself, the Gorge has lots of hiking opportunities as well as some of the best waterfalls in Oregon.
  • Highway 138 – One of my favorite scenic drives in Oregon. Depart from Crater Lake and head northwest through the Cascade Range. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the prettiest and most unique places in Oregon, including Mt. Thielsen (aka the Lightning Bolt) and Toketee Falls . 138 eventually enters the Umpqua River Valley, which is equally remarkable.
  • Highway 26 – A great commute that affords road trippers glimpses of the tableau that is the Oregonian landscape. On this scenic drive through Oregon, you’ll have the chance to experience the state’s amazing geographic diversity. Start on the coast (Cannon Beach) and drive east through the city of Portland, the alpine forests at the base of Mt. Hood, and then down to the Oregon High Desert. 26 goes all the way to Boise, Idaho but the Painted Hills are a great place to stop.

rowena crest road trip oregon

Why Visit this Part of the World

Oregon is one of the brightest and quirkiest places in all of the USA. It is a spectacular state that provides everything that makes for an awesome road trip: great food, gorgeous natural attractions, engaging people, and best of all, an easygoing culture that loves to enjoy itself.

Due to its relative isolation, Oregon has always been a hideaway for the abject in society, which has shaped both its history and demographgics for better or worse .

In short, many people – the eccentric, unaccepted, burnt-out, adventurous sorts – who felt confined in conventional American life all fled to the farthest corner of the US, that is the Pacific Northwest . The result of this migration is now an established culture that champions the strange and alternative.

portland oregon old town sign

Oregonians are very proud of their eccentricities. You’ll often see people in the cities of Portland and Eugene doing, saying, and wearing whatever they want, sometimes to a bombastic level.

Libertarianism and separatism are very popular concepts in Oregon, both among urban and rural centers. Regardless of politics though, Oregonians are very outspoken people.

And why shouldn’t they be outspoken? Oregon has some of the most fantastic landscapes in the USA, a mostly forward-thinking society, and a people that really give a shit. Quality, ecologically-friendly products are of the utmost importance here and social progressivism is often at the forefront of people’s lives here.

There are very few places as interesting or as enthralling as Oregon. Between the hugely varied landscapes and the larger-than-life personalities, this is a state that grips you and doesn’t let go. It plants a seed and takes root in everyone’s mind and everyone has a hard time ending an Oregon road trip.

Getting Insured

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

road trip oregon

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Top Tips for Broke Backpackers

Below is a list of Oregon road trip ideas for saving money. Try and practice these as much as possible.

  • Rent an economy car: Prices can be as low as $25/day depending on the time of year and how far in advance you reserve. Economy cars are also more fuel efficient so you’ll save on fuel. Use apps like ViaMichelin to find cheap gas, which, seriously, always ends up being one of the most surprising and costly expenses on a road trip.
  • Use vehicle relocation services: These brilliant services offer huge discounts to people on the condition they get a vehicle to a certain place at a certain time. No joke, you can rent a car sometimes for as low as $1/day! Availability is very limited though, so keep a watchful eye on the sites. Check immova and Cruise America to start with.
  • Sleep overnight in an empty lot: Though not technically legal in Oregon, people sleep in parking lots all the time. Make sure the lot is safe by asking around. Walmarts are reportedly good places to park overnight as they allow overnight parking.
  • Camp: Unless you want to fork out big bucks for a lodge, pack the car with your camping essentials . Campgrounds are way less expensive and sometimes even free.
  • Cook your own food: Eating out can be very expensive in Oregon. Cook your own food as much as possible to save – I recommend bringing a portable backpacking stove. Otherwise, have a fancy night out at a food cart.
  • Do free shit: There are lots of free things to do in Oregon! From hiking to laying on the beach to going to the local monuments; all of these things cost you nill. You can get started with this awesome guide to free activities in Portland from OregonLive. Be sure to keep your ear to the ground for all things free in Oregon.
  • Pack a travel water bottle: It’s good for your wallet and the environment.

people playing on the oregon coast roaming ralph photography

Sometimes you need a roof over your head and your own shower to clean all that grime away from camping. Luckily, there are a whole range of accommodation types in Oregon catered to all sorts of travelers.

It might be a good road trip idea in Oregon to stay at a lodge once or twice for a recharge. Sticking to a budget while not staying in a dump will still require a bit of research.

There are plenty of budget hotels and motels in Oregon but they suffer from a drab and uninspired design that is endemic to most cheap American lodging.

portland oregon at night city lights

You can check into a cheap hotel in Oregon for a night, and will often have to, but don’t expect much. At more than $60/night minimum, staying in these cheap hotels can start to feel like a waste very quickly.

Although the USA’s hostel scene is lacking outside the major backpacking destinations, you can find hostels in Oregon that are affordable and fun.

AirBnBs in Oregon are often cheaper and far more intimate than generic hotels. There are some really crazy AirBnB rentals out there as well! I’ve seen yurts, teepees, tree houses, renovated barn houses, and much more listed for rent in Oregon.

These would certainly be among the best places to stay in Oregon when visiting.

To save the most money on your road trip through Oregon, consider sticking to hostels and campgrounds. Hostels in Oregon are quirky and full of character not to mention the most affordable form of accommodation.

If you’re feeling lucky, you could also try your hand at finding a host with Couchsurfing! Lots of people use this though so competition is quite high in Oregon.

Best Places to Stay in Oregon on a Budget

Camping in oregon.

Camping is absolutely one of the best ways to sleep on a road trip through Oregon because

  • It’s cheap and…

There’s nothing better than a night outdoors with a car full of goodies, a roaring fire, and a good pint of camp whiskey. Americans love it, Oregonians especially love it, and so should you!

There are campgrounds everywhere in Oregon and in all sorts of varieties. There are standard sites, primitive sites, RV parks, glamping, something called “treetop camping” and many, many more types that just get more and more ridiculous. You can even stay the night in a fire lookout , which has to be one of the coolest places to stay in Oregon.

camping on an oregon road trip

You can use this search engine to find a campground in Oregon . Be sure to keep your eye an AirBnB as well – there are lots of interesting private camps listed.

Campgrounds in Oregon offer a range of amenities and at a range of prices. Most facilities will require a small fee to be paid, which goes toward keeping the grounds tidy and clean.

You can sometimes pay online but most of the time there will be a form at the actual site that you need complete on your own. Even though registrations from these are not always checked, please be respectful and pay the nominal fee for your stay.

If you intend on staying at a campground near of the more famous attractions in Oregon, like the Painted Hills, Smith Rock or Crater Lake, then you definitely consider reserving a space ahead, especially in the summer months. Campsites can fill up very quickly in Oregon.

If there appears to be no space leftover at your prospective campsite, there may still be walk-up sites available. Get to the grounds as early as possible to snag these spaces.

Camping in Oregon – Gear Checklist

Camping is one of the best ways to experience the USA, and Oregon has some of the finest camping in the whole country. You could sleep in your car or an RV while road tripping in Oregon, but sleeping outside under the stars is way more fun.

Having a good-quality camping tent  will keep you comfortable on those chilly nights and give you lots of flexibility when it comes to finding a place to sleep.

Here are some other essentials that we recommend if you plan on camping out…

Pacsafe belt

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

sea to summit towel

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Gifts for backpackers

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

GEAR-Monoply-Game

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Mesh Laundry Bag Nomatic

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full road trip packing list .

grayl geopress filter bottle

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Free Camping in Oregon

Those on a road trip in Oregon should totally take advantage of the many free campgrounds spread throughout the state. Note that electricity, bathrooms, and running water are not guaranteed at any of these. Also be aware that many free campgrounds in Oregon may require a 4×4 vehicle to reach.

Refer below for a list of some of our favorite free campgrounds in Oregon or this website for a complete archive of free campgrounds.

mt jefferson eastern oregon as seen from lookout mountain roaming ralph

Books to Read during your Oregon Road Trip

These are some of my favorite travel reads and books set in Oregon. Read one or two and you may have some great road trips ideas for Oregon…

  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – One of Ken Kesey’s most famous novels, thanks in part to the film of the same name. Paints a picture of mental health and conformity through the lens of a man who’s just too full of life.
  • Sometimes a Great Notion – Ken Kesey is a literary demigod in Oregon and this is arguably his greatest novel. A tale of a hardheaded logging family that goes on strike, leading the town to drama and tragedy.
  • The River Why – A quintessential American coming-of-age tale, both for the protagonist and the nation the book represents. Set in Portland and the Oregon Coastal Range.
  • Night Dogs – Vietnam War vet deals with violence in the streets and in himself. An excellent if not authentic crime novel.
  • The Lathe of Heaven – A man wakes up one day to discover that his dreams can affect reality itself. A novel exploring human creation and destruction. Set in Portland, which was the ultimate home of the author, sci-fi legend Ursula K Guin.
  • Dies the Fire – All electronics are rendered useless by a magnetic storm, resulting in humanity’s return to the Dark Ages. Brutality, desperation, and sword fights in Portland follow.
  • Lonely Planet: Washington, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest – It’s sometimes worth traveling with a guidebook.

Renting a car is the most popular way of getting around Oregon. There are a myriad of car rental agencies here that offer varying deals and varying models.

To find the best rental car deal in the USA, use search engines that compare the prices from individual companies. We personally like using rentalcars.com as they’ve never failed to give us a great price.

You can also rent an RV or campervan and travel by way of vanlife , which means you don’t have to worry about packing camping gear. You will have to empty and refill the various wascampete and water tanks though, which will require a visit to the proper facilities. RVs also cost more to rent, use more gas, and demand higher prices at campgrounds.

Make sure you also purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your rental vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

renting an rv in oregon roads

We suggest booking a campervan with Outdoorsy as they usually have a good selection and good prices. Better yet, Broke Backpackers also get a $40 discount with Outdoorsy! Just use the coupon code “BACKPACKER” when checking out.

The roads in Oregon are generally very good and a sedan or economy car should deliver you to most of Oregon’s top destinations. Only in the most remote portions of the state and the Cascades, will the roads be so bad that you need 4×4 or at least high clearance.

If you’re on a road trip in Oregon during the winter and want to go to the mountains, you will definitely need all-wheel or 4-wheel drive.

Tips for Saving Money on Car Rentals in the US

  • We mentioned before that you can reach out to vehicle relocation services, like immova and Cruise America , as a way of saving heaps of cash on rentals. Pursue these as best you can as they can save you a lot of money. Don’t get your hopes up too much though, as availability is always limited.
  • Car insurance isn’t always mandatory in the USA but is highly encouraged. This being said, you don’t necessarily have to buy car insurance from the company you’re renting from. Purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.
  • Many credit card companies offer free car insurance if you book the car with the proper card. Call your credit card company for more information regarding terms and conditions.

oregon scenic drive in winter

Best Time to Visit Oregon

The best time to visit Oregon really depends on what you want to do. With lots of activities year round, you could go on a road trip in Oregon and always have something to do. Drinking beer is, of course, something that happens 365 days of the year.

There are several different climates in Oregon. Generally speaking, everything west of the Cascade Mountains is maritime e.g. there’s a lot more rain and mild temperatures. East of the Cascades is much drier and prone to extreme temperature shifts, which is a characteristic of the high desert.

Precipitation occurs almost always in the winter months regardless of location.

  • Summer is a great time to visit Oregon because the skies are almost always clear and rainfall is sporadic. There are lots of festivals during this time of the year and most Oregonians spend their free time outdoors. What little rain does fall in the summer is usually the result of occasional storms, which sometimes come in the form of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms often cause forest fires, which have become more common in recent years due to increasing summer temperatures and decreasing rainfall.
  • Spring and autumn are lovely seasons to visit Oregon but are somewhat brief. Summer usually goes into September and winter often feels very long (November-March).
  • Winters in Western Oregon are notoriously dreary as rain falls almost every day and the skies are almost always overcast. Being the tortured souls that they are, Oregonians love to be homebodies and stay warm with a beer at this time.

Luckily, the Cascades and parts of Eastern Oregon receive plenty of snowfall in the winter, giving winter athletes plenty of opportunities. In fact, Oregon has some of the best slopes on the West Coast.

portland oregon with rare snow oregon road trip roaming ralph photography

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Food in Oregon

Oregon is often ranked as one of the top foodie states in the country by several major publications; more often than naught, it’s #1. Thanks to a thriving farm-to-table scene and a population with a real culinary passion, Oregon has, seriously, some of the best food that you’ll ever eat.

Nearly every part of Oregon offers some amazing local product. To the east is grade-A cattle; to the west are the sublime bounties of the sea; and in the middle is the Willamette Valley, a hugely prosperous agricultural area.

When on a road trip in Oregon, there are so many ways to satiate your appetite. You can visit one of the many authentic farmers’ markets, swing by a roadside diner, book a table at a eclectic restaurant or eat at a food cart.

For those on a budget road trip in Oregon, I highly recommend eating at the small hole-in-the-wall joints and food trucks to save to money.

food carts in portland oregon sunny day

Hands down, the best food is found at the many food carts , for which Oregon is famous for. The food here is affordable, inventive, sometimes revolutionary, and always delicious.

Food carts are often labors of love, which means the food is extraordinarily cared for. If given the choice, I will always choose a food cart over a restaurant.

Like the anonymous food carts, the mom-and-pop restaurants found in bumfuck nowhere are also among the best things in Oregon. Simple as they may be in offerings, the ambiance and loving meals they provide are one of a kind.

I can think of many places that are so good they warrant road trips themselves. The gigantic burgers of Helvetia Tavern or the soothing ice cream of K & R Drive In are certainly worthy, if not sweet memories for me.

Get your Buzz On

Whether it’s because of the demand for alcohol during those depressing winter months or because the region produces some of the finest hops, grapes, and other botanicals for making beverages, makes no difference; Oregon loves to produce and consume booze in all of its forms.

Oregon makes some of the best wine, beer, and spirits in the USA and that is a fact that locals will defend with a fiery passion. (Go Pinot Noir, not California Cab.)

Agricultural epicenters like Hood River, the Willamette Valley, McMinnville, and Medford consistently produce the best booze in the state. Amongst these regions are dozens if not hundreds of wineries, distilleries, and breweries that offer countless alcoholic varieties.

Throw in the fact that many of these sites are located in gorgeous, bucolic settings and you have some of the most fun places to stay in Oregon.

If you had to choose one place to sample local wares or go party for that matter, it’d definitely be Portland. You cannot throw a rock in this city and not hit a bar; they’re simply everywhere.

taps in a growler refill store oregon beers

Nearly every type of bar as well: dives, speakeasies, country haunts, beer halls, urban wineries, clubs, and many more. Strip clubs are particularly well represented in Portland, so much so that the city actually has the highest concentration per capita in the country beating out both Orlando and Las Vegas.

No piece about getting buzzed in Oregon would be complete without talking about the marijuana, which is 100% legal in the state. Like alcohol consumption, you must simply be over a certain age (21) and only smoke it in certain places like on your property or away from businesses. You can buy weed a local dispensary , which only requires you to bring an ID and cash.

Being a Responsible Backpacker in Oregon

Remember to be a respectful camper while on your Oregon road trip. Depart from the grounds at a decent hour, follow leave no trace principles, and be very, very aware of fire bans. Forest fires are an enormous problem in Oregon and are often caused by reckless campers.

Oregonians are also very conscious of the environment and like to take care of it, as should you.

Reduce your plastic footprint: Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in a landfill or in the ocean.

I know it can be hard, but do your best to use the least amount of plastic water bottles that you can. Refill the ones that you do buy! Use a Grayl Geopress . Refill at your hostel/guest house! There are plenty of ways to reduce plastic!!!

Pack a  tough and cool travel water bottle . You’ll use it every single day whether you are traveling or not! Help save the planet, and pick up a water bottle here.

Check out our post on how to be a responsible backpacker.

forest fire in oregon

Make Money Online Whilst Traveling in Oregon

Want to stay in the USA longer? Worried that you don’t have enough cash for a longer Oregon road trip? One idea is to make money while traveling!

Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills!

It’s a win-win! Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to start  teaching English online .

In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online, TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad .

Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses with MyTEFL (simply enter the code PACK50), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.

Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction.

sunset over mt jefferson from timberline lodge oregon roaming ralph

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Ralph Cope

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Stumbled upon your awesome Oregon site while looking for things to see here in the great state of Oregon when the COVID-19 quarantine is lifted. I’ve only lived here for four years, but have been coming here all my life to visit family, so I’m familiar with a lot of the state. Thank you for such a comprehensive and thorough site about travel in Oregon.

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Magical Oregon Road Trip: Steal this Itinerary!

Home » Blog » U.S.A. » Magical Oregon Road Trip: Steal this Itinerary!

With hundreds of miles of coastline, thick forests, snow capped mountains, remote hot springs, and raging waterfalls, there’s no arguing an Oregon is absolutely perfect for a road trip adventure.

Blue Pool Oregon Katie and Ben

From Crater Lake National Park to Mount Hood to adorable seaside towns, like Cannon Beach, there are so many places to visit on an Oregon road trip. 

Like, an overwhelming amount of places! 

But fear not, we’re here to help you plan the ultimate Oregon road trip .

Why trust our advice?

We live in Oregon and have spent months upon months taking road trips around our beautiful state. It’s easily one of our favorite things to do in Oregon .

And the best part is, we’re sharing all our favorite places, plus tons of insider tips and hidden gems, with you. (Aka all the stuff that has taken us several years of exploring to learn!)

Oregon Road Trip Contents

  • Oregon road trip itineraries

Tips for planning a road trip

Enroute entertainment, transportation.

  • Oregon road trip destinations

Grab a pen and paper (and maybe some coffee!) and let’s get started…

Psst! Keep these other articles on how to plan an epic USA road trip and money-saving tips for a cheap road trip handy while you plan!

Whether you are staying in a hotel, living in a campervan or RV, or you’re trekking in the backcountry, here is everything you’ll want to pack for the road . Plus tips and advice on making your next road trip go as smoothly as possible!

Road Trip packing list mobile banner

Oregon Road Trip Itineraries

We’ve created two perfect itineraries that you can steal for the ultimate Oregon road trip! 

On these routes you’ll find:

  • cute oceanside towns on the Oregon coast
  • the best things to do in Portland 
  • unforgettable hikes around the state
  • incredible foodie experiences
  • remote hot springs that are worth the effort to reach
  • the most beautiful waterfalls in the state
  • an Oregon road trip map of all the places we’d recommend

Plus, this route is flexible, so you can add or subtract places depending on how much time you have.

Whether you’re passing through on a West Coast road trip, or you’re lucky enough to call this state home (like we are!), we’ve put together a guide to planning the perfect road trip in Oregon.

Oregon Coast Road Trip

You could truly spend more than a month road tripping around Oregon and still not see everything. In fact, we still have plenty of places on our Oregon bucket list (like the Wallowas!) and we’ve been living and traveling in this region for years.

But don’t worry, we’ve narrowed it down for you into a manageable itinerary that will show you the best of Oregon.

We’ve created 1-week and 2-week itineraries that both start and end in Portland.  

You can certainly adjust the route if you don’t need it to loop back to Portland. We also have suggestions for more places if you have additional time.

One thing to note is that in the effort of seeing as many places in Oregon as possible, these itineraries are pretty action-packed. If one of the places looks especially cool to you, we’d recommend spending an additional day here or there so you don’t feel rushed. We’ve even made notes where we’d personally recommend you spend more time if possible.

1 Week Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

  • Day 1: Portland
  • Day 2: Astoria , Cannon Beach *
  • Day 3: Tillamook , Lincoln City
  • Day 4: Silver Falls , Willamette Valley
  • Day 5: Bend * 
  • Day 6: Smith Rock , Mount Hood , Hood River
  • Day 7: Columbia River Gorge , Portland

*places we’d recommend adding a day if you have time

2 Week Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

  • Day 2: Astoria
  • Day 3: Cannon Beach  
  • Day 4: Lincoln City  
  • Day 5: Florence
  • Day 6: Umpqua National Forest
  • Day 7: Crater Lake
  • Day 8: Bend
  • Day 9: Bend
  • Day 10: Smith Rock , Mount Hood
  • Day 11: Hood River
  • Day 12: Columbia River Gorge , Portland
  • Day 13: Day trip to Silver Falls and Willamette Valley , Portland
  • Day 14: Portland 

Have more time?

Here are more places we’d recommend adding to your Oregon road trip if you have the time!

Bandon : Cute oceanside town with some unique artsy attractions and a beautiful state park with gardens nearby.

Samuel H. Boardman : This is a State Scenic Corridor, and holy cow, we think it is one of the most underrated places in the state. That said, it is very far south and is kind of a pain to get to unless you don’t mind backtracking or looping down into California a bit.

Ashland : Home to just over 20,000 people, this small-ish town is undeniably charming. Surrounded by foothills and mountains, Ashland is known for its famed Shakespeare Festival, beautiful gardens, cute B&Bs and burgeoning restaurant scene.

Alvord Desert : This dry lake bed is an otherworldly landscape that is a unique camping spot. Chances are you’ve never seen anything quite like it!

Mount Hood Oregon road trip

We’ll be the first to admit, we’ve made plenty of road trip mistakes over the years. We’ve learned our lessons and we want to pass along our knowledge so your Oregon road trip can go as smoothly as possible!

1. Give yourself enough time

It can be tempting to pack as much as possible within your given time frame, but we’d strongly encourage you to plan your Oregon road trip with a bit of “buffer time”.

As you’re planning, take into account that things might go wrong. Bad traffic or a flat tire might delay you. Or maybe the weather turns when you have an epic hike planned, and you want to stay an extra day.

While planning your route from behind your computer screen, it may be tempting to think you can pack it all in and survive long stretches of driving on the road . Only to realize when you’re on the road, even a few hours can be exhausting and have you itching to get out of the car and stretch your legs!

2. Plan ahead during busy season

Sometimes the busy season is the only time you have to travel. We’ve certainly been there.

If you’re traveling to Oregon during the summer months, be sure to spend a little extra time planning:

  • Book your accommodation further in advance.
  • Research hidden spots and how to get away from the crowds.
  • Budget a little more money.
  • Plan to start your days earlier than you typically would.

3. Don’t stick to your route, exactly

After planning a road trip route, you might feel the need to follow it exactly. But we’d advise otherwise… 

Sometimes the best road trip stops are the unplanned adventures off the main road and into that cute little ocean-side town or a quick pull over on the side of the road that turns into a hike to an unknown viewpoint. 

Give yourself some “wiggle room” in your itinerary for the opportunity to get lost and explore some hidden gems along the way.

We have tons more tips, including common mistakes to avoid in our road trip planning guide . 

Road trip snacks

road trip hiking snacks

Maybe it’s because we always have food on the brain, but road trip snacks are an essential part of our road trip planning and experience. 

We try to have a mix of healthy and indulgent foods on hand in the car, because hunger can strike at any time during a long road trip.

Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Fresh fruit
  • Peanut butter-filled pretzels
  • Veggies and hummus
  • Dried fruit
  • Dark chocolate
Psst! Did you know a lot of our favorite hiking snacks double as great road trip snack options!?

Campervan+Budget+Road+Trip

If you’re like us, one of the first things we plan when going on a road trip is which audiobooks we want to listen to and which podcasts to download for our enroute entertainment. We put together some of our top recommendations in case you’re looking for something new to listen to.

  • Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: One of my favorite reads from 2020. A beautifully-descriptive coming of age tale about how society is quick to judge and misunderstand those deemed “outsiders”. It also reads like a love letter to nature.
  • A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson: This funny account of one man and his ill-prepared companion’s attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail. A humorous and adventurous quick read.
  • You are a Badass by Jen Sincero: If you need a little motivation right now (I’m with ya!), Jen will give you the kick in the pants you need to stop doubting yourself. It reads like you’re talking to a good friend.
  • Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison: A collection of personal stories recounting hilarious and sometimes terrifying tales of life living in the African bush as a safari guide, coming face to face with some of the fiercest wild animals, and managing the hordes of camera-toting tourists. 
  • Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts: The thrilling story of an escaped convict who flees a maximum security prison in Australia, fleeing to Bombay with his guide and companion, where they can disappear forever in the criminal underworld.

If you like these recommendations and want more, we have an entire list of books for travelers – broken out by category, from memoirs to fictional travel stories. 

Podcasts 

  • Favorite Episodes: Mr. Hodges, All in the Family
  • Favorite Episodes: Lonely Planet, Patagonia, Burton, AWAY Luggage, Canva
  • Science Vs. (Gimlet Media): Dives into hot button topics and major political issues (from essential oils to immigration) and goes over the FACTS of both sides of the argument, while incorporating humor. 
  • Favorite Episodes: Brownie Lady, The Chase (interview with a “professional” streaker)

road trip oregon

Most people will use their everyday car as the vehicle for their Oregon road trip. And that’s a great choice; however, there are other options to consider. Especially if you will be flying in from out of state. 

Campervan rental

It’s no secret we are big fans of #vanlife. If you want to give it a test drive, we’ve got tons of resources for you! 

Check out our list of top companies for USA Campervan Rentals , from budget to bougie, including exclusive discounts for our readers.

Related: If you already know you’re flying in and out of Portland, we also have a guide to the best campervan rentals in Portland specifically.

One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans . They have 12 different locations across North America (including Portland, making it a great choice for an Oregon road trip). They come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip, and they are a good budget option.

BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link !

Rental cars

Renting a car is a great option for your road trip if you don’t want to put extra miles on your own vehicle, or are flying in from out of state. 

Personally, for road trips in the USA, we’ve had good experiences with RentalCars.com . We’ve booked through them several times and have found some really great deals. For example, we rented a small SUV for a road trip in Washington State and paid less than $30 per day, and in Tucson, Arizona we paid just $17 a day. Heck yes!

Prices vary depending on your location, number of days, season, and type of car. Our advice is to compare RentalCars.com to other platforms with your specifics so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Oregon Road Trip Destinations

Here is where we’ll go over all of our recommended places to visit in Oregon to fit into either of the road trip itineraries we suggested above. 

Things+to+Do+in+Portland+Oregon+Portland+Skyline+View+and+Mount+Hood

Let’s start with the obvious. Portland. 

This will likely be the starting and ending point if you’re flying in from out of state. 

Dubbed the “weirdest city in the USA”, there’s plenty of things to keep you entertained in this metropolis. 

We’ve been to Portland at least a dozen times over the past few years (one of the perks of living in Oregon!) and each time we visit, we find new fun and quirky things to do.

In fact, we are constantly updating our things to do in Portland guide to include all our new finds so that you have TONS of ideas to choose from, but we’ll share some highlights with you below.

Things to do in Portland

  • Explore the cute and quirky Mississippi neighborhood
  • Get lost in at Powell’s City of Books , the largest independent bookstore in the world
  • Taste Portland’s best donuts (it’s probably not where you think)
  • Find zen at Portland’s Japanese Garden or the Lan Su Chinese Garden
  • Order a Spanish coffee at Huber’s Cafe
  • Hike to the Witch’s Castle

Have more time in Portland?

  • Head down to the Willamette Valley for wine tasting !
  • If Silver Falls State Park isn’t on your road trip route, consider making a day trip here from Portland. It can be combined with some time in the Willamette Valley for one epic day trip!
  • DISCOUNT: Book a tour with Lost Plate and get $5 off your tour with the code: twowanderingsoles

Where to stay in Portland

Things+to+Do+in+Portland+Restaurant+Por+Que+No+Taqueria

Below are our Portland Airbnb and hotel recommendations broken down by neighborhood.

Pearl District: This is where many of the touristy attractions are located, making it easy to walk around. That said, there are some dodgy areas and most hotels charge quite a bit for garage parking (which you’ll definitely want to have downtown). 

  • Hotel Lucia

Mississippi Neighborhood: This neighborhood has fun vibes and cool restaurants and shops. However, it is a bit far from some of the “must see” places, like Powell’s Bookstore.

  • Mississippi SkyNest
  • Pink House off Mississippi Ave

Central Eastside: Just beside the river, this is perhaps the best of both worlds . Near downtown, but more of a “neighborhood vibe”. 

  • Jupiter NEXT
  • Comfy Buckman Neighborhood Home

For more options, check out our guide to the best Airbnbs in Portland .

Astoria Oregon viewpoint

From Portland, you’ll make your way toward the Oregon Coast, beginning with the charming riverfront town of Astoria. 

With a cool vibe and a burgeoning food and craft beer scene, Astoria is a perfect place to start the coastal section of your Oregon road trip.

Situated at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge, Astoria is steeped in history and has enough things to do to occupy a few days.

But if you’ve only got part of a day to explore, we’ve outlined some of our recommendations below.

Things to do in Astoria

  • Grab a latte at Coffee Girl , which is located at the end of a historic pier and has sweeping views of the Columbia River and the cargo ships that will likely be hanging out not far from shore.
  • Hike to the Cathedral Tree for a nice little jaunt in nature.
  • Walk along on the Astoria Riverwalk .
  • Grab a beer at Buoy Beer Co.

Have more time? We have a whole guide with things to do in Astoria , and we’d recommend adding a day if you can. 

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach Oregon 2022

As you make your way down the coast, the next stop on your itinerary is Cannon Beach. With cedar shingled houses, a charming downtown strip, and a massive sandy beach with an iconic rock formation, it’s not hard to fall in love with Cannon Beach.

One of the most popular towns on the Oregon Coast , we find ourselves coming back time and time again. And once you see it, we think you’ll understand the allure.

Things to do in Cannon Beach

Things to Do in Cannon Beach Oregon

  • Marvel at the viewpoints in Ecola State Park
  • Have a bonfire on the beach with views of Haystack Rock
  • Eat fish and chips
  • See a waterfall next to the ocean at Hug Point

Want more tips? We have a whole article dedicated to the best things to do in Cannon Beach .

Where to stay in Cannon Beach:

  • Charming dog-friendly cottage
  • Splurge: The Ocean Lodge
  • Check out our round up of the best camping near Cannon Beach .

Tillamook 

Tillamook Creamery Oregon ice cream

As you pass through Tillamook on your way down the coast, be sure to stop at the famous Tillamook Creamery. 

Here, you can take a self-guided tour and see firsthand how the dairy is processed. 

And come hungry so you can indulge in a grilled cheese and ice cream from the source!

Lincoln City

Oregon+Coast+Road+Trip+_+Lincoln+City

As one of the largest and most commercialized cities on the Oregon Coast, Lincoln City is known for their bi-annual kite festivals, glass blowing community and eclectic, artsy vibe. 

While not as quaint as some of the smaller towns on the Oregon Coast, Lincoln City has a relatively large and spacious beach as well as a burgeoning foodie scene. We actually found ourselves enjoying the town more than we’d expected to.  

Things to do in Lincoln City

  • Scour the beach for intricately designed glass floats (balls). Through a program called Finders Keepers , local glass blowers “hide” the floats for people to find.
  • If you don’t find a glass float, craft your own at the Lincoln Glass Center .
  • Hike to God’s Thumb for beautiful meadows and dramatic coastal cliffs.
  • Get smoked salmon at Barnacle Bill’s Seafood Market .
  • Stroll through the (totally free!) Connie Hansen Garden Conservatory . Especially in spring, it’s filled with blooming flowers.

Where to stay in Lincoln City

  • The Starfish
  • Sandcastles and Sunsets
  • Camping: Devil’s Lake Campground

Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park Oregon

Next up is Silver Falls State Park, home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Oregon , as well as one of Oregon’s most popular hiking destinations. The park has a lot to offer everyone from experienced outdoor enthusiasts to families looking for a day hike. 

It’ll cost you $5 for a day-use parking pass at Silver Falls. If you plan on going to a lot of parks, it might also be worth it to get yourself the $30, 12-month parking pass for all Oregon State Parks .

For more information about your visit, including all of the best hikes in the park, check out our guide to Silver Falls State Park . 

Willamette National Forest

Sandwiched between Eugene and Bend, about an hour and a half drive from either direction, you can make it into the heart of the Willamette National Forest. There are so many things to do in this part of Oregon, we only scratched the surface. 

Cougar Hot Springs

Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Spring Oregon

The setting of Cougar Hot Springs (also known as Terwilliger Hot Springs) is something that you would find at a luxurious spa, but it’s so much better because you are only surrounded by nature.

There are 5 rock-walled pools that could fit about 8 people comfortably. Be sure to arrive early as it gets busy later in the day. Entrance Fee is $6/day and the trail starts on the west side of the Cougar Reservoir. We have a complete guide to visiting Cougar Hot Spring on our sister site with directions on how to get there and information you’ll need to know before your visit.

Psst! Are you a big fan of hot springs? You’ll want to check out this detailed guide to the best hot springs in Oregon ! 

Tamolitch Blue Pool

Tamolitch Blue Pools Oregon

No filters were used in this photo – the water really is that blue!

And oh, so cold! Seriously, even on the hottest summer day, jumping in this spring-fed pond is sure to cover your body in goosebumps. But it is totally worth it, and feels amazing when you dry off in the sun. 

Tip: Be careful that you don’t jump in with anything in your pockets or sunglasses on your head. While we were there, a couple guys decked out in scuba gear were diving for all the valuable items people lose in the depths of the water (aka GoPros, watches, designer sunnies, wallet, etc.). Don’t be that guy (or gal!).

How to get there: Be sure to start from the proper Tamolitch Trailhead and hike the McKenzie River Trail north to the Blue Pool. We have all the directions and everything else you need to know in our guide to visiting the Tamolitch Blue Pool on our sister site. 

Sahalie and Koosah Falls

These two large waterfalls are only 10 minutes walk apart from each other and worth a quick stop. I know you can easily get sick of waterfalls in this region, you shouldn’t miss these. Park the lot next to Sahalie Falls and hike south to Koosah.

McCredie Hot Springs

McCreddie Hot Springs Oregon

If you’re a huge hot spring fanatic, you can add this one to your route too. It will be a bit out of the way, so plan accordingly. We’ve even got a guide to McCredie Hot Springs to help you plan your visit!

Where to stay near in the Willamette National Forest

  • Loloma Lodge
  • Belknap Hot Springs Lodge

Florence Oregon Coast

Situated at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, the charming seaside town of Florence boasts views of both the ocean and river coastlines. We also happen to think it has one of the cutest, most adorable town centers on the coast.  

Just beyond the city center, the sand dunes are Florence’s star attraction. If you prefer a slightly more relaxed pace of adventure, there are several great beaches, lakes, and lovely hiking trails nearby.

Things to do in Florence

  • Rent a sandboard and play on the dunes!
  • Visit Heceta Head Lighthouse , one of the most picturesque lighthouses on the coast
  • Wander the historic “old town” of Florence
  • Go to the Sea Lion Caves to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat
  • Hike to Hobbit Beach , one of the most stunning stretches of sand on the coast
  • In the summer, check out the lively weekend farmer’s market

Where to stay in Florence

  • Heceta Beach Hideaway
  • Chicken coop glamping
  • Camping: Port of Siuslaw Campground

Umpqua National Forest

Umpqua Hot Springs Oregon

Home to some of the best hikes in Oregon , with lakes, waterfalls and mountains, Umpqua National Forest is well worth a visit. Located in Oregon’s southern Cascade Mountains, we fell in love with this area and wished we had longer to explore.

Toketee Falls

Toketee Falls Oregon

A short drive off of Highway 138, you can park your car and go for a short walk to the waterfall viewpoint. This massive two tier waterfall is a major symbol of the region. Be careful on the trail, the rocks can be slippery. 

Umpqua Hot Springs

Umpqua Hot Springs Oregon

There’s a good chance these hot springs have shown up in your Instagram before. There are a handful of pools big enough to fit 2 to 4 people. The hotter pools start at the top and they get cooler as the water flows down. As with all hot springs in the area, nudity is acceptable and to be expected. Just to give you fair warning so you don’t feel uncomfortable. 

We put together an entire guide to visiting Umpqua Hot Springs on our sister site, so you know exactly how to get there and what to expect when you do.

Watson Falls

Watson Falls Oregon

Not a far drive from Toketee Falls, Watson Falls is a nice 0.6 mile hike to a 272 foot waterfall. It’s an easy walk with not too many people when we visited. The first part you walk by a mossy babbling creek that leads up to the towering waterfall. You get a whole lotta nature within such a short hike.

Insider Tip:  There is a (free) dispersed campground with 5 spots called Lemolo Forebay 2. It is first come first serve and has a vault toilet. We’ve camped here twice and love this spot because it is tucked away from everything else and it is super peaceful. Oh, and did we mention it’s free?! Just be sure to clean up after yourself, please.

Diamond Lake

Stop off at Diamond Lake for a view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. If you have time, you can drive 12 miles all the way around the lake or take a paddle boat out from the resort. 

Where to stay in the Umpqua National Forest

  • Steamboat Inn
  • Wilderness Cabins, RV Park and Glamping: Umpqua’s Last Resort

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake Oregon

Between the deep blue color and the fact that this lake is inside a sleeping volcano, your jaw is sure to drop at the sight of Crater Lake. We think it’s one of the more underrated National Parks in the United States .

With a depth of 1,949 feet (594 m), Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the 3rd deepest in the world (for average depth; 9th in the world for maximum depth). Crater Lake has been entirely fed by rainwater and snowmelt, and it’s known for its unsurmountable clarity.

Visiting Crater Lake will surely be a highlight of your time in Oregon.

Things to do at Crater Lake

If possible, get here early as the summer crowds can make it difficult to find a parking spot. 

  • Viewpoints – The Rim Village Visitor Center has a nice overlook of the lake, but I wouldn’t say it was our favorite angle. Head to the east side of Crater Lake to Watchman’s Overlook to get a good view of Wizard Island up close. 
  • Want more hiking suggestions? Check out our guide to the best hikes in Crater Lake National Park for more options for all levels.
  • Swimming – Don’t forget your bathing suit because you can take a dip in the waters, but it’s only for the brave. Crater Lake water is only rain and snowmelt so it will be cold. You can hike down the Cleetwood Cove Trail to the boat launch and practice your cannonballs. 

Bend Oregon downtown

With close proximity to epic adventures as well as a fun and vibrant downtown, this mid-sized city in the heart of Central Oregon begs all types of travelers to fall in love.

Funny story… When we first wrote this article back in 2017, here’s what the “Bend section” said:

“If we were going to move to Oregon, we would without a doubt relocate to Bend. Like, we’ve already talked about it and looked up real estate… It is the perfect size town (in our opinion) — not too big, not too small.”

Fast forward a few years and we DID end up moving to this Central Oregon town in 2019.

There’s a perfect brewery-to-green-space ratio, cute shops, healthy restaurants, yoga studios and a river that cuts through town. With plenty of outdoor adventures just outside the city limits, there’s a lot to love about Bend.

Things to do in Bend, Oregon

Things to do in Bend Oregon Mount Bachelor

Being that this is our home base, we know Bend really well! Lucky for you, we put together a giant guide on all the fun things to do in Bend with recommendations on where to eat and stay, plus plenty of info about the town we now call home. 

Here are just a few of our suggestions…

  • Grab a pint: There are loads of microbreweries scattered through town just begging for a brewery crawl. In fact, you can follow the “ Bend Ale Trail ” and win a prize.
  • Picnic at Drake Park: This riverside park is a beautiful place to take a stroll in the morning or hang out with a picnic.
  • Cascade Lakes Highway: Drive along this highway (open seasonally) and stop by some gorgeous alpine lakes.
  • And while you’re at it, check out some more of our favorite restaurants in Bend .
  • Day Trip to Sisters: Sitting at the foothills of the Oregon Cascade Mountain Range, Sisters is the perfect launch pad for any adventure activities you want to do in the mountains.
  • Broken Top Hike is one of our favorite hikes in Central Oregon (though it is a longer one)
  • South Sister Summit : If you’re looking for a killer but super worthwhile hike, you can summit the third highest mountain in Oregon
  • Green Lakes Trail: Not too long or difficult, and beautiful lake views at the end
  • Visit Tumalo Falls: Just 12 miles west of the brewery-lined streets of downtown lies Tumalo Falls , a beautiful 97-foot waterfall in the Deschutes National Forest.

Where to stay in Bend

  • McMenamins Old St. Francis School
  • Splurge: Tethrow Hotel
  • Check out our round up of the best camping near Bend, Oregon .

Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock Misery Ridge Hike Oregon

As you leave Bend and head north, you absolutely must make a stop at Smith Rock State Park. This is a rock climber’s heaven (in fact, this is where sport climbing began in the USA). But it’s also a great spot for both casual and avid hikers.

Smith Rock Hikes

If you’re short on time or don’t want too strenuous of a hike, follow the Crooked River Trail . If you want a more challenging trek, Misery Ridge is for you!

We have an entire guide to Smith Rock State Park with all of the information you need to plan your visit including more details on the best hikes in the park.

Lost Lake Viewpoint in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

Named one of the 7 wonders of Oregon   by the Oregon Tourism board, Mount Hood is certainly a sight to behold. 

Whether you’re passing through on your way to Hood River or you have a night or two to spend here, we recommend carving out some time to explore this area.

Things to do at Mount Hood National Forest

Lavender Field Mount Hood Oregon Katie

  • Get one of the best views of Mount Hood from Lost Lake , which is located deep in the Mt. Hood National Forest . Be sure to have a full tank of gas and preferably 4-wheel drive (we’ve done it before without 4WD, and it was a little rough!) You can spend the day there hiking around the lake or rent a kayak and paddle to the middle. There are plenty of cabins and campsites around too, but you’ll have to book at Lost Lake Resort well in advance. 
  • Go hiking! From epic trails where you can camp overnight, like Tom, Dick & Harry , to roadside trails that are well-worth the stop, like Tamanawas Falls , to the 42-mile loop that circumnavigates the mountain, known as the Timberline Trail, there are plenty of Mount Hood hikes for adventurers of all levels to choose from. 
  • Psst! Check out these other breathtaking Oregon lavender farms you can visit!
  • Go skiing (any time of the year!) . Mount Hood has the longest ski season in the United States, making it totally possible to get turns in January or on the Fourth of July!
  • Sample the local brews at Mt. Hood Brewing Co .

National Park Pass

Tip: The America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass covers entrance fees to over 2,000 Federal recreational sites (including Mt. Hood National Forest!) as well as all the US National Parks. You could save a lot of money on entrance fees if you are planning to visit multiple parks in the upcoming year.

Hood River Oregon water sports

This adorable town situated on the Columbia River is a perfect mix of laid back vibes with plenty of things to do.

In fact, we’re getting ready to publish a big ‘ol guide to the best things to do in Hood River, but if you want a taste of the highlights, see our list below.

Things to do in Hood River

  • Check out the water sports: The Columbia River is home to some of the best kitesurfing in the world, and Hood River is the prime place to be. If you’re keen to learn, Big Wind offers beginner classes. Or, simply watch the kite surfers from the comfort of shore.
  • Explore the Hood River Fruit Loop , a 35-mile scenic drive through delightful local farms, wineries, cideries, fruit stands, and orchards. We recommend visiting as many as possible, but not all are open year-round, so check out our guide to the best stops along the Hood River Fruit Loop  to create your self-guided tour. 
  • Recommended to us by a friend who’s a master brewer in Portland (coolest job ever?!), pFriem Family Brewers creates artisanal award-winning beers that will give you flavor explosion in your mouth.
  • Another large brewery in town is Full Sail Brewery . You can find their beers in pretty much any grocery store in the PNW. Try their IPA, it’s one of their flagship beers (see what I did there?!).
  • Our favorite brewery in town, Double Mountain , has great beers and excellent wood-fired pizzas.
  • Sip your way through the best wineries in Hood River . 
  • Get breakfast at Kickstand Coffee & Kitchen : This cute cafe is open all day, you could get lunch or dinner here too (they have great cocktails!), but we are obsessed with their breakfast offerings.
Psst! Check out our complete guide with all the fun things to do in Hood River to help you plan your trip!

Where to stay in Hood River

  • Inn at the Gorge
  • Splurge: Klickitat Treehouse

Columbia River Gorge

Things+to+do+in+Portland+Oregon+Multnomah+Falls

Less than 20 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge stretches over 80 miles through a canyon reaching up to 4,000 deep in places as it winds along the Columbia River, following the Oregon/Washington border. This stretch of canyon has been designated a National Scenic Area and is the largest in America.  

Known for its high concentration of waterfalls —the Gorge has over 90 on the Oregon side alone!—it’s one of the best places to see waterfalls near Portland . 

Note: To enter the Gorge, you’ll need to purchase a  Northwest Forest Pass  for $5 for a daily entry, or you can gain access to the national scenic area using your  America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass . 

Things to Do in the Columbia River Gorge

  • Road-trip along the 70-mile Historic Columbia River Highway , stopping to take in scenic viewpoints (including roadside waterfalls!) along the way.
  • Stop at the 100-year-old   Crown Point Vista House  observatory for ahhh-mazing views
  • Visit Multnomah Falls , the tallest waterfall in Oregon , where you can simply marvel and take photos or embark on a short hike.
  • Hike the Oneonta Trail and view the slot canyons from above.
  • Watch the seasonal salmon spawn , swimming from the ocean and heading upstream.
  • Take a river cruise and sample local craft beer and delicious pizza in Cascade Locks.

Bandon Oregon Coast

With just over 3,000 residents, this tiny oceanside town is a picturesque and laid-back place to stop during a road trip along Oregon’s coast. 

Wander past cute shops on the main street, enjoy amazing seafood and see a unique art exhibit that will both disgust and inspire you. 

Things to do in Bandon, Oregon

Bandon Oregon Washed Ashore

  • Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint : Discover tide pools at low tide or watch the sunset behind these beautiful sea stack rock formations.
  • Washed Ashore: With the tagline “art to save the sea”, Washed Ashore builds and exhibits artwork made from trash that has washed up on the beach. Their intention is to educate the public about plastic pollution in our oceans and inspire people to make positive changes. How cool it that?!
  • Sample the local seafood at Tony’s Crab Shack or Bandon Fish Market . Both restaurants are highly rated and long-time favorites. 
  • Grab a local brew at Bandon Brewery . We enjoyed the beer, pizza and live music at this cozy joint.
  • Explore the gardens at Shore Acres State Park .

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor Oregon Coast

Just across the border from California, lies Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, which is well worth a stop if you find yourself in the south of Oregon. 

With interesting sea stack rock formations and hiking trails, you can easily spend a day getting lost in the beauty before your eyes.

There are many turnouts, some with parking lots, that are worth stopping at. The Natural Bridges is a short hike with some pretty spectacular views. Secret Beach is a short hike down to the sandy beach when there is low tide. The trailhead for this is just north of Miller Creek on Highway 101. 

This city in southern Oregon is known for its Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which attracts nearly 400,000 people annually. If you will be taking your road trip between late April through December, we’d highly recommend passing through here to check out the festival. 

And if you’re not a huge fan of Shakespeare, don’t worry. The plays are not limited to just those of Shakespeare – in fact, there are many contemporary works as well as Shakespearean dramas, performed on 3 different stages throughout the 8-month event. 

Alvord Desert

Alvord Desert Oregon

Located in the southeastern part of the state, this is one of the most interesting and unexpected geographical landscapes in all of Oregon. (And that’s saying something!)

The massive dry lake bed known as the Alvord Desert will have you feeling like you’ve driven straight out of Oregon and landed on another planet entirely. Often referred to as “the playa”, the expanse of cracked earth extends for miles and is a popular destination for outdoor adventure-seekers. 

Things to do in Alvord

  • Go camping! It is BLM land, so you can technically park your van or pitch your tent anywhere on the playa. Just know you will need a self-contained vehicle, unless you want to stay near the Frog Spring access point, which has a drop toilet for public use. 
  • If you like hot springs, Willow Creek and Alvord Hot Springs are worth a visit.
  • Stop at Fields Station for a killer (and huge!) milkshake.

Go Wander Wild Banner

Are you planning a trip to Oregon?

Being that Oregon is our home state, we have TONS of content to help you plan your trip. Start with our Oregon Homepage and be sure to check out the articles below. Leave us a comment if you have any more questions!

  • Keep this list of epic things to do in Oregon handy.
  • Plan your  Oregon coast road trip  with our insider tips & map.
  • Don’t skip  Cannon Beach , our favorite small town in Oregon.
  • Check out all the  weirdly awesome things to do in Portland .
  • Read up on all the  fun things to do in Bend, Oregon .
  • There’s plenty of fun things to do in Hood River to plan a weekend trip!
  • You’ll want to keep this  road trip planning guide  handy.
  • And here’s some great  money-saving tips for a cheap road trip .
  • If you need more ideas, here are some incredible places to visit in Oregon .

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We want to hear from you!

Are you ready for your Oregon road trip? Where are you planning to go? Would you add anything to our list? Let us know in the comments below.

Comments (32) on “ Magical Oregon Road Trip: Steal this Itinerary! ”

Is the trail for Oneonta Gorge open? I’m interested in many of these places but have this one especially on my list (first time upcoming visitor to OR). I’ve read it was closed due to fire several years ago but this article appears to be more current than that? Is it open?

Hi Lori, you’re right, the 2017 fire really changed the Oneonta Gorge Trail. You can now hike above the gorge and see the waterfall at the end, but you’ll no longer be able to hike through the slot canyon.

What an amazing list! We are right there with you when it comes to moving to Bend, as we have recently done so ourselves! We absolutely fell in love with the city when we visited, and that’s when we knew it was time to take the leap and make it our new home.

We are from Vancouver Canada thinking of a early May trip to Oregon hoping to find some warmer and drier weather. Currently considering Hood River as aside from the above looking for a destination that facilitates e-biking preferring bike-ways vs shared roads and… has dog friendly restaurants, breweries etc. Yes the dog likes to come for the bike rides and is too large to be inconspicuous. Not looking for an itinerary but would be open to alternate destinations if you have any suggestions.

“Hey, I would love to put my comment on this blog post!

This blog post helps me a lot!

Thanks for sharing this content worldwide!”

Possibly coming to OR from Montana. We will be traveling in a 5th wheel and hoping to utilize Thousand Trail campgrounds. We plan to stay in OR for about 2 to 2 1/2 weeks. I’m lost on where to begin the trip. I love everything in your blog! We are new full timers! Help!!

what itinerary would you recommend from Las Vegas to Oregon leaving on a Monday returning Saturday?

Does the weather in the early weeks of October affect more than half of these destinations? Particularly, any hikes and Hot Springs?

Does anyone happen to have a road map of this great sounding adventure?!

Hey! Minnesota born & raised here! I’m happy I stumbled upon your blog! I’m wondering how long of a road trip you took to visit all 11 of these gorgeous places?

Hey Kati! We took about 11 days during our Oregon road trip. Of course, we’d recommend spending more time there, but we were pretty pressed for time that summer. Hope this helps!

Oregon is in my wish list due to beautiful canyons and volcanic fields. You have taken a beautiful road trip along the Oregon eastern side. I loved the pictures of Painted Hills.

Thank you so much Mihika! We hope you get to Oregon someday, and when you do let us know if you have any questions!

Hi Katie &Ben, great article on Hood River but you’ve mislabeled the image of the lavender farm in your article- the correct name of the lavender farm image you feature is Lavender Valley in Parkdale. Thank you for correcting the photo/ farm credit. ?

Hi Francisco! Thanks for the note, we have updated the photo and caption. We had a lovely time stopping by Lavender Valley, wish we could have stayed longer!

In my, just previous, comment I forgot to enter my email address: [email protected]

Looking to travel 2 days down the coast from Newport to Cresent City. Are there falls along the way worth viewing? We will be short hiking as well. Thanks for your assistance. Susan

Hi Susan! If you travel along the coast, we highly recommend stopping off along the Samuel J. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. There are some waterfalls and short hikes with amazing views!

Have you been to Polychrome Pool?

Hey Jessica, no we haven’t yet. Where is that located?!?

I just love this. Always searching for this kinds of idea. Really great thinking. Thanks for sharing.

You are very welcome, Suj!

Great list! We are with you about moving to Bend, as we just did! We loved it when we visited and decided to take the plunge and relocate.

Nice! That’s so great to hear! Can’t wait to visit Bend again someday!

this is one of the best list I have seen by far. You are doing an amazing. please make more and have fun. my trip will be so much better because of your work.

You are too kind Solomon! Thank you for you words of encouragement. We don’t plan to stop any time soon!

Amazing post.Love reading your post.Pictures are stunning.As a traveler i love road trips.I would love to visit this place with my girl friend.She loves these kinds of places.Thanks for the post.Keep sharing.

Thanks so much, Diego. Glad you really liked our article. We hope you and your girlfriend have the chance to visit Oregon sometime. Let us know if you have any questions about planning a trip to Oregon.

Wow very eye opening ! I never, ever, imagined Oregon like that… the pictures are beautiful and there’s a lot of things to do and see. Thanks for the article 🙂

Hey Steven, Thanks a lot, glad you liked it! Are you planning on going to Oregon soon?

Ahah I can only wish… I don’t have any vacation planned until the end of the year !

Maybe one to add to the list for someday 🙂

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Oregon is for Adventure

Your Ultimate Oregon Road Trip—1 Week to 1 Month Oregon Itinerary

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We can’t lie, writing up this ultimate itinerary for an Oregon road trip was HARD.

We couldn’t stop, we kept writing and writing, and next thing you know, we came out with this monster Oregon itinerary that could last you around a MONTH. Yes, an entire month around Oregon.

As epic as that would be, we know that not everyone has 30 days to traverse our massive, stunning, and truly adventurous state .

With that said, we weren’t going to deprive you of choices! So, welcome, this just may one of the longest and craziest posts on road-tripping Oregon out there.

Don’t get intimidated; we laid everything out very easily for you to pick and choose and personally curate your own legendary Oregon road trip.

Fill up your gas, grab your supplies, and head on out!

Table of Contents

Your Ultimate Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Ecola state park – 1 day, arch cape – 1 day, cape meares – 1 day, sand lake recreational area – 1 day, lincoln city –  1 day, depoe bay – 1 day, yaquina head – 1 day, cape perpetua – 1 day, sea lion caves – 1 day, shore acres state park – 1 day, samuel h. boardman state scenic corridor – 1 day, where to stay on the oregon coast, mount hood – 2 days, silver falls state park – 1 day, columbia river gorge – 1 day, where to stay near portland, deschutes river – 1 day, umpqua national forest – 1 day, smith rock state park – 1 day, cascade lakes scenic byway – 1 day, three sisters wilderness – 1-2 days, newberry crater national volcanic monument – 1 day, crater lake – 1 day, where to stay in central oregon, wallowa mountains – 2 days, sumpter – 1 day, mitchell – 1-2 days, strawberry mountains – 1 day, umatilla national forest – 1 day, owyhee canyonlands – 1-2 days, steens mountain – 1-2 days, hart mountain – 1 day, summer lake – 1 day, where to stay in eastern oregon, an oregon road trip itinerary, tips for your oregon road trip, a legendary oregon coast road trip—35 stops & 3 itineraries, 29 awesome things to do on an eastern oregon road trip, 19+ adventurous things to do on a washington road trip, 21+ adventurous things to do on a northern california road trip, 25 day trips from portland, oregon + road trip ideas.

For the sake of ease, we’ve sliced up Oregon into four sections. The Coast, Central, Near Portland, and then East Oregon.

We know this split isn’t an accurate representation of how Oregon is divided, but we think a good chunk of people reading this may not be from Oregon and, therefore, can digest the vastness of the state a bit easier this way.

Of course, as per usual, we also offer you a handy little map because visuals are ALWAYS better when planning out a road trip, always.

road trip oregon

Below you’re going to read about some of our favorite highlights from each section of Oregon, and each section will need at least a week to ride through and experience. You may not be able to hit up every highlight we have here, but we had to give you some choices.

We’ve also included the number of days next to each spot. Do note, this is the absolutely MINIMUM amount of time you’d need. Most will state one or two days, and we mean an entire day or two.

This will just give you a taste of the area, or if it’s small enough, a single day may really be all you need.

Also note this is not included driving. Again, it’s a full day of exploring, hiking, rock climbing, out on the lake with your sport of choice, etc… Please add in driving days as needed.

As we like to mention here often, particularly from visitors to the USA, our country is freakin huge, dudes! Like, mega massive. So please plan accordingly.

Driving around the USA, and yes, that means Oregon too, requires more time than you think. Always add on an hour or so to the estimation Google Maps gives you to be safe.

We’ve also added in tons of additional links through this post which give you a deeper dive into a lot of the places and areas mentioned here so click those for more info.

Anyway, let’s get this Oregon road trip rolling! Right?

✋ HOLD UP! Don’t Forget…

You need some wheels! It’s nearly impossible to get around the USA and check out the best adventures without a car! Here are our top recommendations…

🚗 Rent a car

If you don’t have your own, renting a car is your best bet!

👉 Find Deals on Cars and SUVs

🚐 Rent a home on wheels

For the more adventurous, rent a van or RV and ditch the hotel.

👉 Find The Best Van For Your Trip

Don’t Forget This!

A lot of the best adventures around Oregon will require a Northwest Pass. You can easily get one delivered straight to your door. Grab it now before you leave !

road trip oregon

Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

The rugged Oregon coastline is one of those places that feels like you’re living in a dream. Stretching for over 360-miles against the wild Pacific Ocean, the Oregon Coast is loaded with awe-inspiring natural scenery and vibrant communities.

Places on the best Oregon Coast road trip

From its serene beaches to towering sea stacks, each section of the coast will keep you on the edge of your seat during your Oregon road trip.

Sandy beaches, craggy cliffs, scenic viewpoints, lush forests, alluring tide pools, shipwrecks, rolling sand dunes, and monstrous waves are all accessible just off the highway. What more could you want for a life-changing Oregon itinerary?

Have your camera ready and explore the picturesque coastline that has captured the hearts of Oregon lovers everywhere!

  • Explore the never-ending hiking trails through its tranquil forests like the Clatsop Loop and Crescent trails.
  • Capture a breathtaking panorama at one of Oregon’s most famous viewpoints. From atop the cliffside, you have the perfect angle of towering rock formations rising out of the ocean.
  • Head to Indian Beach to spot tide pools and have a relaxing picnic while you listen to the waves crash against the shore.

READ MORE: Your Guide to Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast

Don't forget to stop at Ecola State Park on your Oregon road trip.

  • Experience blissful solitude while feeling the sand between your toes on this pristine shoreline.
  • Explore the enchanting caves, gorgeous waterfall and shallow tide pools of Hug Point State Park .
  • Get a brilliant bird’s eye view of the Pacific Ocean, long stretches of the coastline and the coastal town of Manzanita at the Neahkahnie Viewpoint.

Add Arch Cape Beach to your Oregon itinerary.

  • Add a detour along the Three Capes Scenic Route to your Oregon itinerary for a sensational drive down the Tillamook coastline. The journey takes you to Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda for miraculous views of verdant forests and sand dunes.
  • Go bird watching to see colonies of nesting murres and other beautiful avian species.
  • Wander inside the Cape Meares Lighthouse for a thrilling view on the cliffside roughly 200-feet above the ocean.

RELATED: Three Capes Scenic Route on the Oregon Coast

  • Go off-roading through sand dunes in between the crashing waves of the Pacific and a coniferous forest.
  • Spend the night camping at this enormous lake of sand and witness a dreamy sunrise against the ocean.
  • Spend the night at one of the most scenic Oregon coast towns by camping at Devil’s Lake near downtown Lincoln City . The lake offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking.
  • Enjoy a day on the water at Siletz Bay by kayaking, boating or fishing on its tranquil shores.
  • Hike the God’s Thumb via the Knoll, one of the most breathtaking Oregon Coast hikes . The end of the trail features a peculiar basalt formation shaped like a thumb offering sensational views of the coastline.
  • Check out the interesting statue of Abraham Lincoln and waltz through the town’s Historical Museum.

READ MORE: Your Guide to the God’s Thumb Hike Near Lincoln City

  • Stop by the Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast during this Oregon road trip to search for majestic gray whales.
  • Just south of the whale hotspot, you’ll find the roaring power of the Devil’s Punchbowl. This enormous bowl was created by collapsed sea caves and gives you a glimpse of the ocean’s power with its ferocious waves.

Depoe Bay on the Oregon coast road trip

  • Tour the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the tallest and most historic lighthouse in Oregon. Tickets to the lighthouse are on a limited basis but the panoramic views of the structure perched along the scenic bluffs are some of the best on the entire Oregon coast.
  • Hike the rocky shoreline beneath the lighthouse to spot whales, seals, eagles and beguiling tide pools.
  • Drive to the highest Oregon coast viewpoint accessible by car and stand in awe of the hair-raising vista overlooking the horizon. You’ll be standing 800-feet above the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean and this stop on your Oregon itinerary will make your heart skip a beat.
  • Marvel at the geologic formations of Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn. Thor’s Well is a seemingly bottomless pit sucking waves into its grasp and Devil’s Churn will overwhelm you with the force of tenacious waves pounding a rocky inlet.

Hillside of the Cape Perpetua on an Oregon road trip.

RELATED: 9 Things to Do in Cape Perpetua, Oregon

  • Ride the elevator to the depths of the largest sea caves in the United States. Keep in mind that this includes a fee of $14.
  • Spot adorable sea lions lounging inside the massive cave system. If your Oregon road trip is during the winter, then there is a great chance you’ll see hundreds of these amazing creatures.
  • Head to the nearby Heceta Head Lighthouse for a remarkable view standing atop a rocky cliff.
  • Stand at the park’s scenic viewpoint and witness thunderous waves pounding the jagged rock formations on the coastline.
  • Wander the grounds of a former mansion to smell the radiant flora of rose gardens and a Japanese-style garden.
  • Walk along the shores of Simpson Beach and relax at its isolated cove.

Foam at cliffs of Shore Acres State Park for your Oregon itinerary.

  • Explore the miles of beautiful coastal trails the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor has to offer. The Lone Ranch South Trail is an easy trek offering breathtaking seaside vistas and the Whales Head Beach Trail meanders to one of the most peaceful beaches in the corridor.
  • Hike to the Natural Bridges for spectacular views of geologic structures and spruce-tree forests.
  • Enjoy the serenity of Secret Beach and gaze at the towering rock formations nestled along the shore.
  • Before continuing your Oregon road trip, peek through the forest and watch a gorgeous sunset at Arch Rock.

Samuel H. Boardman ― A great stop on your Oregon road trip.

Southern Oregon Coast: 13 Epic Stops—Bandon to Brookings!

17 Breathtaking Oregon Coast Hikes

11 Most Scenic Oregon Coast Towns (And What to Do There!)

17 Cool Oregon Coast Camping Spots To Stay At

→ If you don’t have a lot of time, do this Oregon Coast day trip from Portland to see the best of the coast with a local.

Recommended Places:

  • Adorable Seaside Cottage
  • Happy Camp Beachfront Cabin
  • Captain’s Quarters

Campgrounds: Wright’s for Camping | Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area | Harris Beach State Recreation Area Campground

Near Portland, Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

We love Portland , naturally. But we love the places on the outside of Portland way more.

Cascading waterfalls galore, a cornucopia of excellent hikes, and the majestic Mount Hood just on the outskirts of the city make Portland a playground for Oregon adventurers.

After you’re done stuffing your face with Voodoo donuts and taking the iconic “Portland is weird” sign selfie, then get out and do something in nature!

Dry Creek Falls in it's entire splendor

The furthest you’ll drive from Portland to anything in this section is only about two hours one way. You’ll be gobsmacked by the things to do just outside the concrete jungle of Portland.

  • Enjoy spectacular views of Oregon’s tallest mountain from all angles by embarking on many awesome Mount Hood hikes . Some of the best hikes include the Tom Dick and Harry Trail and Mirror Lake Loop , Lost Lake, Tamanawas Falls , and the Trillium Lake Loop and they all give you glorious vistas of Oregon’s most famous peak.
  • Summit the craggy pinnacle and have the exhilarating feeling of standing on the roof of Oregon.
  • If you have a snow-filled Oregon itinerary, experience Mount Hood in winter by skiing or snowboarding down its slopes. Just be aware of possible road closures in the area around the mountain during winter.

Hiker looking up at Tamanawas Falls in Oregon

→ If you don’t have a lot of time, do this Mount Hood Day Trip from Portland to see the best of the area.
  • Hike the Trail of Ten Falls to experience one of the most beautiful hikes near Portland. The 7.6-mile loop passes ten alluring waterfalls and is considered one of Oregon’s natural wonders.
  • Hit the park’s backcountry trails for mountain biking and horseback riding adventures.
  • Spend the night at the campground and listen to the soothing sounds of the waterfalls before continuing your Oregon road trip.
→ You can also take this awesome tour to Silver Falls State Park to hike the Trail of Ten Falls from Portland.
  • Capture the perfect snapshot of Oregon’s most famous waterfall in all her glory—Multnomah Falls
  • Discover more cascading waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge by hiking the Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop. This invigorating trek takes you through lush vegetation, volcanic cliffs and far away from the crowds.

A stop at the Vista House on your Oregon road trip is a must.

17 of the Best Places for Camping Near Portland

19+ Awesome Hikes Near Portland to Escape the Bustle

What to Do At Mount Hood in Winter

A Guide to The Columbia River Gorge

→ If you don’t have a lot of time, do this highly rated half-day tour from Portland to see the best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge.
  • Tiny House With Lofted Views of the Forest
  • Peaceful Garden Cottage
  • Tiny Forest Cabin

Campgrounds: Beaver Campground | The Vintages Trailer Resort | Oxbow Regional Park 

Central Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

When it comes to jaw-dropping natural scenery, it’s impossible to replicate the magic that central Oregon presents. There’s a reason why many of the state’s most iconic sights are in this dynamic region.

From the majestic Cascade peaks to the tumbling waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge, Central Oregon has it all.

South Sister is an epic hike in Oregon

This portion of your Oregon road trip transports you to several of the state’s tallest mountains, evergreen forests, crystalline lakes, and mysterious craters. The biggest challenge will be narrowing down your Oregon itinerary to fit your schedule.

Central Oregon’s diversity is simply unmatched and traveling down its scenic byways will show off its splendor at every turn.

If you’re looking to experience Oregon at its absolute finest, central Oregon has got you covered!

  • Climb into a raft and float down the Deschutes River for an afternoon of total relaxation.
  • Enjoy more exciting activities by the river like kayaking, fishing or even take a crack at surfing .
  • Hike the Deschutes River South Canyon Trail or the Deschutes River Trail Loop for a delightful stroll by the river.

If you're looking for adventurous things to do in Sunriver, be sure to check out the Deschutes River trail.

  • Camp in the tranquil forest and hike through pine trees, wildflowers and dense vegetation to reach many mesmerizing waterfalls. The Toketee Falls Trail, Watson Falls Trail and Lemolo Falls Trail are among the scenic paths in Umpqua National Forest .
  • Venture down the Twin Lakes Trail for sensational views of dazzling lakes and find the perfect spot for a picnic.
  • Soak in the terraced pools of the Umpqua Hot Springs and watch the peaceful flow of the Umpqua River.
  • Kayak on the shimmering waters of Diamond Lake as the ‘lightning rod’ Mount Thielsen towers above you. For an action-packed expedition to include on your Oregon road trip, get your adrenaline pumping on the Mount Thielsen hike to reach the summit of the jagged peak.

Add Umpqua National Forest to your Oregon itinerary.

  • Hike along the Crooked River and gaze at the craggy pinnacles rising high into the sky.
  • Test your endurance by climbing Misery Ridge and watch rock climbers test their wits at the oddly shaped Monkey Face.
  • Learn how to rock climb yourself since this stop on your Oregon itinerary is the premier location in the state for the sport.
  • Marvel at golden eagles, rattlesnakes, otters and other beautiful wildlife that call these sharp canyons home.

Don't miss Monkey Face during your Oregon road trip.

→ If you are interested in rock-climbing, there is an excellent rock-climbing tour in Smith Rock State Park.
  • Visit the sparkling lakes decorating this famous driving route such as Todd Lake, Sparks Lake and Elk Lake . This 66-mile highway takes you from the vibrant city of Bend to some of the most popular getaways in central Oregon.
  • Stand in awe of the snow-capped Cascade peaks overlooking the alpine lakes lining the byway. Mount Bachelor , Broken Top Mountain and South Sister are a few of the iconic mountaintops in perfect sight.
  • Enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities by the lakes such as fishing, hiking, mountain biking and paddling.
  • You have countless camping options to include in your Oregon road trip for an extended stay near the byway.

Don't forget to add Sparks Lake to your Oregon itinerary.

  • Gear up for one of the ultimate challenges on this Oregon road trip by tackling the South Sister Trail . This 12.2-mile trek takes you to the peak of Oregon’s third-highest mountain and rewards you with jaw-dropping vistas of the nearby peaks.
  • Take on another daring expedition by trekking the Broken Top Trail to No Name Lake and Bend Glacier. This thrilling hike will take you through subalpine forest and provide a close encounter with Broken Top’s serrated pinnacles.
  • If you have time, hike part of the Three Sisters Loop to marvel at the area’s volcanic landscapes.

RELATED: Your Guide to Hiking South Sister in Bend, Oregon

  • Admire the otherworldly geologic landscapes and the remnants of powerful volcanic blasts from thousands of years ago at Newberry National Volcanic Monument .
  • Hop on your mountain bike and ride around the Newberry caldera using the rim trail.
  • Hike the Paulina Peak Trail to experience one of the best Oregon hikes and possibly the most awe-inspiring vista in central Oregon. The views here give you 360-degree views of Paulina Lake, the Big Obsidian Flow and other peaks of the Oregon Cascades.

Paulina Peak is a cool place to stop on your Oregon road trip.

READ MORE: Your Guide to Newberry National Volcanic Monument

  • Include the Rim Drive on your Oregon road trip to conquer the 33-mile loop that circles the caldera rim.
  • Hike the Garfield Peak Trail for incredible scenery overlooking the deep-blue hues of the lake and the surrounding Cascade peaks. You’ll have a spectacular view of Phantom Ship, Wizard Island, and other beautiful landmarks.
  • Head to Cleetwood Cove for an interesting vantage of the lake from inside the caldera.

Crater Lake is another beautiful place to stop on your Oregon road trip.

A Guide to Smith Rock State Park’s Hikes, Misery Ridge Trail & More

  • An Adventurer’s Guide to Things to Do in Bend, Oregon

The Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike + Sahalie and Koosah Falls

  • Cozy Sunriver Cabin
  • Hummingbird Cottage
  • Tall Pines A-Frame

Campgrounds: Elk Lake Campground | Jasper Point Campground | Redmond/Central Oregon KOA

Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Very few people are in the loop of the majestic scenery decorating the eastern half of Oregon. And it’s a shame that this section of the state doesn’t receive the same hype as its coast and Cascade brethren.

Sparkling lakes, snow-capped mountaintops, mesmerizing deserts, craggy gorges, verdant forests, striking canyons, rejuvenating hot springs and some of the best stargazing on the planet.

road trip oregon

With this much jaw-dropping natural beauty, it’s hard to fathom that this is the least discovered region of Oregon. Maybe it’s best to keep it that way to preserve this wild canvas of untouched terrain.

It may sound cliché to wander off the beaten path, but that is exactly the type of adventure eastern Oregon provides on your Oregon road trip.

  • Explore the rugged terrain of the Wallowa Lake State Park by trekking the Hurricane Creek Trail or para-glide above the park for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
  • Swim in the pristine waters of Wallowa Lake surrounded by dense forests and rugged peaks. Its crystalline waters are a beautiful spot for snorkeling, or you can sunbathe on the sandy shores for a tan.
  • Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway for unbelievable mountain vistas.
  • Trek the Mirror Lake to Eagle Cap Trail to reach the summit of Eagle Cap. Enjoy the sensational views of alpine lakes, beautiful forests and glaciated valleys.
  • Grab your paddle and steer around jagged boulders in the exhilarating class III and IV rapids of Eagle Creek.

Hurricane Creek Trail at Wallowa Lake State Park should be added to your Oregon itinerary.

  • Dress up like Wild West characters at the charming Sumpter Stockade Motel.
  • Learn about Oregon’s rich gold mining history with a visit to the Sumpter Valley Dredge .
  • Spend an exhilarating day riding around on an ATV before hopping back on the highway.

View of Sumpter Train Station on your Oregon road trip.

→ While in Sumpter, head to nearby Baker City to do some stargazing and wine tasting on this fantastic tour .
  • Hike through the Ochoco National Forest for remarkable images of lush forests, bewildering geologic formations and vibrant wildlife. Its tranquil waterways are the perfect outlet for a fishing or boating excursion.
  • Discover the otherworldly beauty of the Painted Hills , one of Oregon’s greatest natural treasures. The layered bands of yellow, red, orange and gold make the perfect stop on your Oregon itinerary to marvel at the state’s alien-like landscapes.
  • Explore the hiking trails less-visited around the John Day Fossil Beds area to study Oregon’s ancient history. Sheep Rock and the Clarno Unit are both a must for geology lovers.

Don't forget to make a stop at the Painted Hills on your Oregon road trip.

  • Unleash your adventurous spirit by hiking through the less-traveled Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. This nature lover’s playground is teeming with alpine lakes, sharp peaks, blooming wildflowers and an abundance of wildlife.
  • Reach the peak of Strawberry Mountain for one of the most liberating summits on your Oregon road trip. The heart-racing vistas hear make you feel like you’re on top of the world.
  • Unwind in the great outdoors at the crystal clear waters of Strawberry Lake. This is an ideal camping spot for your Oregon itinerary with its lush forests, rugged mountains and quality fishing.

Strawberry Mountains are a great place to add to your Oregon itinerary.

  • Spend the night at Jubilee Lake Campground for another beautiful night underneath the stars during your Oregon road trip. Jubilee Lake is a peaceful hideout deep in the forest and a wonderful spot to escape the scorching temperatures of summer.
  • Enjoy a tranquil ride down the class II rapids of the Grande Ronde River and gaze at the steep canyons rising above you.
  • Watch for deer, bighorn sheep, eagles and other wildlife (including rattlers) on the roughly 30-mile Wenaha River Trail. The meandering river, towering cliffs and tranquil forests make this a fantastic backcountry adventure to add to your Oregon itinerary.
  • Experience one of Oregon’s most exciting whitewater rafting excursions on the Owyhee River. The class III and IV rapids snake between basalt columns and red-rock cliffs creating an unbelievable ride.
  • Explore some of Oregon’s most isolated hiking trails through the Owyhee Canyons and marvel at the sheer-canyon walls soaring above you.
  • Make the Owyhee Canyonlands another one of your camping sites on your Oregon itinerary for a stellar night of stargazing.

The Pillars of Rome for your Oregon road trip.

  • Push your adrenaline to the max by driving the 60-mile Steens Mountain Loop, one of the most thrilling routes to add on your Oregon road trip. This scenic route will leave you speechless with its contrasting landscapes of glacial gorges and barren deserts while taking you to elevations of nearly 10,000-feet.
  • Capture a breathtaking panorama on the Wildhorse Lake Trail. The views of the glaciated valley and steep canyons offer one of the top vistas you’ll see on this Oregon road trip.
  • Camp in the Alvord Desert to experience complete solitude in the Oregon wilderness. Make sure to visit Alvord Hot Springs to soak any aching muscles before hitting the road again.

Camping in Alvord Desert is a fun thing to do on your Oregon road trip.

  • Wash off the dust from Oregon’s extensive desert by soaking in the relaxing Hart Mountain Hot Springs . Camping is free at the hot springs so make sure to arrive early if this is an overnight stay on your Oregon itinerary.
  • Wander the hiking trails of the National Antelope Refuge and spot a plethora of wildlife in their natural habitat.
  • Jump on your dirt bike or motorcycle to ride the desolate dirt trails cutting through the landscape.

The road to Hart Mountain is another great spot to add to your Oregon itinerary.

  • Go bird watching in the wetlands of the lake and marvel at the area’s geothermal wonders.
  • Gaze at the sensational mountain scenery while you soak in the soothing pools at the Summer Lake Hot Springs.
  • Drive the car out to Fort Rock for an enchanting sunset at this puzzling volcanic landmark.

Relax at the Summer Lake Hot Springs after a long day on your Oregon road trip.

RELATED: 

Exploring the Owyhee Canyonlands: Hiking, Rafting, & Camping

A Guide to Hart Mountain Hot Springs & What to Do in the Area

A Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Wallowa Lake State Park—Adventures and Camping

7 Awesome Things To Do in Sumpter, Oregon

  • Rich’s Camp Cabin
  • Eagle Cap Chalets
  • Dreamers Lodge

Campgrounds: Wallowa Lake State Park | Strawberry Campground | Jubilee Lake Campground

road trip oregon

RECOMMENDED OREGON ADVENTURE GEAR:

Tried and tested gear that we use around Oregon and the PNW!

Hiking and Camping

  • Water Bottle Filter  
  • Camping Stove
  • Camping Cook Set
  • Light 2-Person Tent
  • Car Trash Bin
  • Car Power Inverter
  • Road Trip Duffel Bag
  • Northwest Pass

Clothing Gear

  • Hiking Socks – Men’s / Women’s
  • Rain Jacket – Men’s / Women’s
  • Hiking Backpack – Men’s / Women’s

Car Rental:

  • Car Rental – Check here for deals
  • Outdoorsy – For Vans, RV, etc

It’s safe to say all the above is just scratching the surface of what you can see on an Oregon road trip! With that said, everything mentioned above would take about a month to actually experience. Yep, a whole goddamn month!

Catch these gorgeous views on your Oregon road trip.

Oregon is not a small state and it takes a long time to traverse.

I’d encourage you to check out our more specific Oregon road trips depending on the region you’re most interested in.

  • 37 of the Best Oregon Hikes You’ve Got to Check Out

Each area mentioned above deserves at least a week of exploring. And when we say a week, we mean a week of actual exploring!

The driving can take up a really large chunk of the day so we’d advise you to tack on an extra few days on top of the week to account for driving or rest days.

Extending your road trip to our neighbors? Check these posts out!

  • 19 Adventurous Things to Do on a Washington Road Trip
  • 21 Adventurous Things to Do on a Northern California Road Trip
  • If you’re looking to save a buck, download Gas Buddy App. As a rule of thumb, always fill up at the bigger towns when you can. The smaller towns often cost more, and if you pay by card, you may have a transaction fee on top of it.
  • I’ll say it once more just in case, Oregon is not small! It will take you longer than you think to get places. I know my fellow Americans will get it but if you’re a visitor, our country and our states are insanely big. I can’t stress it enough, it will take you longer than you think.
  • If you plan on visiting many of the places on this list, just get a parks pass instead of paying $5 randomly here and there for parking. The pass is $30 and you can display it and forget it.
  • Bring food! Having to find food, particularly for breakfast and lunch, will eat up a considerable chunk of your day. Don’t waste hours on eating. Have snacks, sandwiches, and other quick things to munch on throughout the day and then save eating out for dinner.
  • As far as budgeting goes, you can do this Oregon road trip on a modest budget. Many state parks have campgrounds that range from $15 to $25 per night. Check out these Oregon campgrounds .
  • If you’re here in the peak season (summer months) campsites and hotels get booked out so make sure to book sooner rather than later.
  • Be careful driving at night, particularly on the lonely roads. Animals like to come out and play. It’s best to keep your driving during daylight hours.
  • If you’re coming to Oregon in winter , or even just before/after, be aware of road closures .
  • For car rentals, we always check here .

More Road Trips

road trip oregon

We hope this helped you plan some fun road trips in Oregon! Be sure to check out our other posts on road trips and adventures in Oregon .

Nina on the beach

I’ve been perpetually traveling and living around the world for years but it’s hard to beat Oregon and the PNW. After years of road-tripping the area, I guess you can say I know it pretty well! When I’m not writing guides for you, you can catch me somewhere petting a dog, attempting to surf, hiking a volcano, or stuffing my face with bread and cheese.

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The Perfect Oregon Road Trip Itinerary – 7 or 10 days

Last updated on September 25th, 2023 at 01:38 pm

Oregon (pronounced “Ore-gun”, not “Ore-gone”!) is often overshadowed by its extremely popular neighboring state of California in the US. But if you are looking for a road less traveled then you have to take an Oregon road trip. In this blog post, we will share our detailed itinerary including what to see, do, and where to stay.

Below is a map of the route we took on this trip, click here to go to Google Maps. We drove across the state in a clockwise direction but you can do the same in an anti-clockwise direction as well. If you remember we did a similar 7-day road trip in Iceland and trust me when I say that our Oregon road trip was just as adventurous. Don’t forget to check out our post on waterfalls near Portland for more incredible inspiration.

FUN FACT: Oregon is the only other state in the US after New Jersey to have assistants at gas stations to fill gas in your car.

How Many Days Do You Need for an Oregon Road Trip?

We were able to make this a total of the 10-day trip including travel time. If you follow our Oregon itinerary you will have plenty of time to go on hikes, take wine tours, and relax on this road trip.

You can easily make this a 7-day road trip and we’ll tell you how in the modified itinerary below. However, if you have less than 7-days then I suggest visiting only Portland, Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood region, & Cannon Beach from the itinerary below.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

road trip oregon

Related Read: SF to LA – An ultimate west coast road trip guide

Starting point 

We flew into Portland and spend 2 days in the city before starting our road trip. TIP: You do not need a car in Portland city so save yourselves some cash by renting a car the day you hit the road.

Portland would be our recommendation as a starting point for all those who are flying into Oregon. For those who are driving from the South i.e. California, the best starting point for you would be either the coast or Crater lake in this loop.

Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Below is our detailed itinerary is broken out by each day. If you want to do a 7-day road trip then we have listed where it makes the most sense to skip things.

Day 1 & 2 – Portland

After you land in Portland spend 2 days in this funky city. We not only explored the city landmarks but in reality spend the entire weekend food binging in Portland. TIP: If you want to make this a 7-day road trip then spend just 1 day in Portland.

We will be writing a separate post on what to do on a weekend in Portland. But to highlight a few things –

  • Eat your heart out in the food capital on the west coast. From food trucks to delicious worldwide cuisines all around town you’re going to return with some additional baggage on your body.
  • Check out the largest bookstore in the world – Powell’s Bookstore
  • Must eat doughnuts (try both Bluestar & Vodoo doughnuts to give your own verdict no matter what the locals say)
  • Take a walking city tour or a Segway tour to learn more about the city
  • Check out the Japanese Garden

ACCOMMODATION: It usually nice if you stay in either downtown or the pearl district so you’re walking distance away from all the things –

  • Hilton Portland Downtown or the Hampton Inn Pearl District
  • The Bidwell Marriott Portland or the Courtyard Marriott City Center

More Places to Stay in Portland, Oregon

Harlow Hotel

Inn at Northrup Station

aerial view of Portland city in Oregon

Day 3 – Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & wineries

Fasten your seatbelts and drive to the Columbia River Gorge which is only 30 minutes away from Portland. If you start driving early in the morning, you’ll easily be able to cover all the stopovers mentioned below in that order. For more details, read our in-depth blog post on Columbia Gorge road trip .

  • Portland Women’s Forum vista point (has the best sunrise view if there are no wildfire smoke)
  • Latourell Falls (add a short 2.4 mile hike here)
  • Multnomah Falls
  • Bridal Veil Falls (add a short 1.2 mile hike here)
  • Starvation Creek Falls
  • Wineries tour in Mt. Hood/Gorge

ACCOMMODATION: Spend the night in White Salmon, WA or Hood River, OR

Find fun things to do in Oregon during your road trip!

Panoramic view of columbia river gorge from Portland Women's Forum

Day 4 – Explore Mt. Hood Region

We spent 2 nights in Mt. Hood region which gave us the time to not only explore but also relax in the most gorgeous setting. There are a ton of outdoor activities to do here so spending only 1 day would be an injustice to this region. We have broken down the activities by each day for you –

  • Explore Hood River town which is known as the world’s kite surfing capital, perhaps indulge in some water activity or grab lunch here
  • The Gorge White House makes for a great stop for Apple cider tasting and fresh fruit & flower farm
  • If you happen to visit in spring don’t forget to check out the “ fruit loop ” trails for spring blossoming trees .
  • Drive to the historic Timberline Lodge and either take the chair lift to get to the summit or if you are up for an adventure there are tons of hiking trails behind the lodge. We did a section of the zigzag overlook trail which starts at the lodge parking area. Ask the lodge visitor center for more info on trails. Enjoy a nice early dinner or a cup of coffee with a view.
  • If you are not up for visiting the lodge then consider hiking the Mirror Lake loop trail that afternoon. We skipped the mirror lake loop.
  • Return to Government Camp for dinner unless you are staying back at Timberline Lodge.

A couple walking the trail to Mt. Hood mountain which is behind the Timberline lodge

ACCOMMODATION: Spend the night in Mt. Hood region. We stayed in a gorgeous farmhouse surrounded by apple & pear orchards booked through Airbnb . Your other best option is to stay at the historic  Timberline Lodge or hotels in Government Camp , a small town in Mt. Hood region.

road trip oregon

Day 5 – Explore Mt. Hood Region

Here’s what to do on your second day in Mt. Hood region –

  • Hit the Tamanawas Falls hiking trail in the morning (alternatively, you can do the Mirror Lake loop). Tamanawas trail is amazing, take our word for it.
  • Have your lunch at Tamanawas Falls. Pack your lunch with you so you can eat with the waterfall views at the end of the hike.
  • After lunch head to Trillium Lake in the afternoon. Walk along the lake trail or rent a kayak and enjoy the serene Mt Hood view from the water. TIP: Book your kayak rental in Govt Camp as there are no rental facilities at Trillium lake. The rental company will bring your kayak to the lake area. Don’t miss the sunset at Lake Trillium!  TIP: Bring mosquito spray, there are like a thousand of them here. You can also rent campgrounds at Trillium lake if you want to camp in this area.

ACCOMMODATION: We stayed back at the same farmhouse Airbnb with the perfect view of Mt. Hood. Your other best option is to stay at the historic  Timberline Lodge or hotels in Government Camp , a small town in Mt. Hood region.

A girl walking through wooden bridge over a river on a hike to tamanawas falls in Oregon

Day 6 – Smith Rock State Park, Painted Hills & 3 Sisters

As you drive south from Mt. Hood, take a day to explore the desert region of Oregon. You’d be surprised to know that a big part of Oregon is, in fact, desert land. What was really fascinating to us was that our families in India instantly knew about Oregon out of all the places. They were the ones to tell us about Rajneeshpuram.  FACT: Rajneeshpuram (from ‘Wild Wild Country’ series on Netflix) was not too far from this part of Oregon.

TIP: For a 7-day Oregon road trip, skip this section and head straight to Crater Lake from Mt. Hood.

  • Stop at Smith Rock State Park as you drive south from Mt. Hood region. and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.
  • Drive about 2 hours east to see the Painted Hills which are in the deep end of the Oregonian desert.
  • Reach Bend and head to Summit Park for a great view of the 3 Sisters volcano peaks .
  • If you want to get a better view of 3 sisters then drive 30 mins from Bend to Dutchman Flat Sno Park in Deschutes National Forest.

ACCOMMODATION: Spend the night in Bend, OR .

Where to Stay in Bend, Oregon

Element Bend

Campfire Hotel

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

colorful hills on the dessert side of eastern Oregon in USA

Day 7 – Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is about 2 hours away from Bend or about 4 hours from Govt Camp. If you leave early in the morning, you can reach Crater Lake just in time to drive around the rim and see the following viewpoints & sneak in one easy hike.

Pick and choose your favorite spots to see in Crater Lake National Park , below are a few that we recommend –

  • Sinnott Memorial Outlook at Rim Visitor Center
  • Sun Notch (0.8 miles easy hike with views of Phantom Ship)
  • Phantom ship overlook
  • Discovery Point (2 miles)
  • Watchman Peak (1.6 miles moderate steep hike)
  • Pumice castle overlook,
  • Cloudcap overlook,
  • Vidae Falls
  • Pinnacles Overlook.

ACCOMMODATION: Spend the night in Crater Lake Lodge or campgrounds in the park . If you don’t get a reservation in either of these then consider staying in Fort Klamath or Chemult or Chiloquin which are small towns near Crater Lake. TIP: If you stay at Crater Lake Lodge, then don’t miss the splendid sunset from the lobby’s back patio.

View of crater lake blocked from the thick smoke cover of wildfires in the neighboring region of the National Park

PLEASE NOTE:   The Crater Lake itinerary was a part of our original plan until west coast wildfires & smoke completely ruined the experience. When we arrived at Crater Lake National Park, it became really difficult to breathe without inhaling the fumes. Not to mention, the visibility of the Lake was near zero. We had booked a campground for the night but for good reasons we decided to turn around. As a backup plan, we headed to spend more time on the Oregon coast. PRO   TIP: Watch out for wildfire and smoke reports in Oregon before you head here!

Day 8 – Umpqua National Forest & drive to Eugene

Next morning stop by the Crater Lake vista points that you might’ve missed on the previous day. On your way to the coast of Oregon, you must take a pitstop at Umpqua National Forest for a bonus waterfall & hidden hot springs.

  • Drive around Crater Lake in the morning to cover any missed vista points from the previous day.
  • Hike the  Toketee Waterfall trail in Umpqua National Forest as you exit Crater Lake. It’s an easy 0.8 miles round trip hike to the gorgeous waterfalls as you can see in our photos.
  • If you enjoy natural hot springs , then as you exit from Toketee waterfalls take a left and head to Umpqua Hot Springs . There is a $5/vehicle charge to park at the hot springs. Clothing is not enforced here so consider yourself forewarned. In full disclosure, we did not visit the hot springs due to a lack of time.
  • Drive to Eugene from Toketee Falls should take around 2.30 hrs.

ACCOMMODATION: Spend the night in Eugene, OR .

Where to Stay in Eugene, Oregon

Comfort Suites Eugene

Maverick Hotel

Graduate Eugene

toketee falls overlook in Oregon with lush green vegetation around it

Day 9:  Oregon Coast road trip

The next morning we headed to Florence from Eugene where we started our Oregon coast drive. The coastal drive takes you on Highway 101 which, in fact, is a continuation of California’s coast to Oregon’s.

Given that we just had one day set aside for this Oregon coast road trip, we only stopped at the vista points mentioned below in bold. We’ve listed some additional awesome pit stops along the way if you have more time.

  • Drive past Florence 
  • Heceta Head Lighthouse  Scenic Viewpoint (There is a B&B at this lighthouse now) or stop at Sea Lion vista point to see the lighthouse from a distance.
  • Cape Perpetua Overlook (Thor’s Well is another stop before turning right to Cape Perpetua overlook)
  • Yachats (stop by for a drink or early lunch)
  • Newport (If you skip Yachats then stop here for lunch)
  • Devil’s punchbowl and Otter Rock
  • Tillamook (stop by at the cheese factory or the Tillamook ice-creamery)
  • Cannon Beach, get here before sunset to watch the magic unfold

ACCOMMODATION: Spend the night in Cannon Beach, OR .

A girl standing at the vista point of Oregon Coastal view

Day 10: Lewis & Clark National Park OR Evergreen Aviation Museum

We took a red-eye back to the east coast since we wanted to squeeze every second of our last day. TIP: For a 7-day Oregon road trip, skip this part and fly out on your last day.

  • We visited the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in the morning but you can choose to visit the Lewis & Clark National Park near Cannon Beach to get an insight into expeditions that were an integral part of US history.
  • Head back to Portland to grab an early dinner before heading out to the airport for an evening flight.

Aircraft Museum in Oregon dispalying airplanes from US airforce and navy

Phew, another long guide, isn’t it? But there is so much to see & do here that you have to plan it right and we’ve to give all the right info to do so. And by the way, if Oregon wasn’t on your list, we sure hope it is now!

If you liked this extensive Oregon road trip planning guide then don’t forget to share it along with family & friends.

More on Travel in the United States:

  • America’s favorite road trip – the Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Bucket List Arizona Road Trip – The perfect long weekend 4-day itinerary
  • Best places to see fall colors in New Hampshire – A Roadtrip through New England
  • Ultimate SF to LA Road trip – Best stops along California’s Pacific Coast Highway

best Oregon road trip itinerary

Happy Traveling!

Related Posts

Portland Waterfalls & Wineries – Exploring Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

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23 comments on “ the perfect oregon road trip itinerary – 7 or 10 days ”.

Such a detailed guide. Thanks for sharing! Perhaps this fall my family and I will go to the Oregon. Awesome photos!

Thanks Michael. Hopefully the fires will be in control by then and the smoke out of OR skies. This year the wildfires have been terrible for Oregon.

Wow you really packed a lot in to tour trip. As someone who lives in Oregon, this is a great post. Come back soon!

We would love to!!! 😀

Wow! Mind blowing and eye catching photography. All places are just awesome. Hope to trip to those places in the near future. Stunning! You must (please) take me there when I visit. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place.

You are most welcome and hope you visit Oregon someday 🙂

We did a Northern California road trip in June last year and did a tiny bit of Oregon so that we could try some of the wineries up there. I wish we’d done more of Oregon because it looks amazing and I’m filing your post for our next trip!

There’s always a next time 🙂

I’ve never visited the northwest USA but I really have to get there asap, this road trip looks amazing! 🙂

Yeah the Pacific Northwest is truly magical 🙂

Wow, great itinerary! I hope to come back to USA next year and was just looking into California and neighboring states for potential road trip ideas. Oregon looks an idea place to visit! Love the nature and national parks

Oh yes definitely visit OR if you are coming to CA, you will love it! 🙂

Oregon is such a beautiful state, I can’t wait to spend more time there. This looks like a really good way to see a lot of the state in one well, a great itinerary. I live in Vancouver Canada so this is such a doable trip for me

Oh yeah, definitely easily doable from Vancouver. I believe there is an easy train ride from Seattle to Portland, wonder if there is a train from Vancouver to Portland as well?!

I love a good road trip! Thanks for sharing these great places in Oregon 🙂

Most welcome! There’s nothing like sharing cool places to do a great road trip. 😀

We did a similar trip a few years ago, but looks like we missed the Umpqua National Forest. Oh well! Looks like we just need to head back.☺️ Thanks for the post!

You’ve got to leave something out to return back to such amazing places right?! 😉

I had no idea Oregon was this beautiful! I love the suggestion of seeing the state through a road trip, definitely saving for later 🙂

Yeah, this is one of the perfect States to visit in one road trip 🙂

There is obviously plenty to do in Oregon. My personal goals for almost any trip is to do lots of hiking and visit lots of breweries and wineries. I didn’t know that you could have your gas filled by station attendants there. I think I might plan a trip there for that alone. It would be so cool!

It’s great to learn that you should stay downtown when going on a trip to Portland. My wife and I are looking to travel to Oregon soon and we were wondering where we should stay at in the state. I’ll be sure to let my wife know that we can stay in downtown Portland.

Oh yes, Portland is so close to a lot of nature in Oregon. However, if you want to do a road trip around the entire State then as mentioned above you might have to pick other cities for overnight stay esp when going down south or east.

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Hello from Gaurav & Richa! An adventurous couple who did NOT quit their corporate jobs to travel the world. On the contrary, we're all about balancing that work-travel life. Our goal is to explore as much as we can in our short vacations and yes, we do go to great lengths to find unique experiences and great food to share with you all. Learn more About Us .

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Oregon Obsessed

How to Plan an Unforgettable Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Want to plan an incredible Oregon road trip that will have you wondering how you didn’t know about all of the amazing places you’ll visit sooner? You’re in the right place! When we quit our jobs in February 2020 to travel the world (and bet it all on a travel website) after years of talking about it, saving money, and spending hours planning our trip, Oregon barely made the list. 

We figured, sure, it looks nice, maybe we’ll spend a week in Oregon on our way up to Seattle.

Well, things changed pretty quickly in the few weeks after we made that decision (bad timing to bet it all on a travel website!), but as our plans changed, we realized that there was a whole new world of possibilities ahead of us!

We were lucky enough to spend two whole months on an Oregon road trip that summer after we had to scrap all of the plans we had made, and it taught us an important lesson: you don’t need to fly halfway around the world to find wild and beautiful places – sometimes they’re right in your backyard the whole time . 

Fast forward a couple of years, and we decided to make our forever home in Portland, Oregon, and that initial time exploring Oregon was a huge part of why we ultimately ended up making that decision.

Oregon has it all – the coast, the mountains, the desert, a truly unbelievable number of amazing waterfalls, and more. 

In this guide, we’re going to do our best to help you plan an incredible Oregon road trip itinerary. You can’t see the entire state in two weeks or less, but you can see some of the highlights and get a feel for why we think Oregon is the best state in the country. 

We’ll cover the logistics you need to know (like when to do a road trip in Oregon, an idea of the route, and how many days you need), and then take you through the stops you shouldn’t miss with our favorite things to do, hikes, and more. 

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it. 

road trip oregon

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel and vacation rental links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would absolutely never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

A Quick (and Oversimplified) Oregon Geography Lesson

Before we get into the road trip, let’s quickly talk about Oregon’s geography, and what it means for your trip. 

First of all, Oregon is a lot bigger than you probably think. It’s the 9th largest state in the country by square mileage, which is a fact that blew my mind. Driving between places can take several hours, if not more. 

Why do we bring this up? Because it has one major implication for your trip.

Unless you want to spend full days of your trip driving without stopping to see the scenery, you’re not going to be able to see the entire state .  

Fear not – we have a strong perspective on where you should focus your time if it’s your first trip to Oregon. Which means we need to talk about Oregon’s geography. 

Oregon is a very diverse state when it comes to landscapes, which is part of why we love it. It’s home to rocky coastline, wide sandy beaches, rolling hills and lush valleys, moist rainforests, towering snowy peaks, and even the high desert. 

When you think about Oregon’s geography, we’d cut the state roughly into quadrants, with Eugene as the center point in the state.

If it’s your first time in Oregon, you’re going to want to focus on the northwest quadrant, almost exclusively . The exception might be Crater Lake National Park, which we have a whole section on below to help you figure out where to fit it in. 

If you start to try fitting in places all over the state, you’re going to spend entire days driving long distances, which we don’t really think is the best experience. For reference, it takes three and a half hours to go from Newport on the Oregon Coast over to Bend (without traffic). Then, it’s another two hours to the Painted Hills from Bend. And a full four hours back to Portland from there. 

In this itinerary, Bend is the furthest east you’ll go. It’s just not feasible to get to every corner of the state, especially with limited time. 

If you happen to have an extra week (lucky you!), that’s when we’d add the Painted Hills and Wallowa Mountains, and some of the other spots in eastern Oregon. Or the southern Oregon coast, which is much more rugged and wild than the northern coast that you’ll cover in this itinerary. 

The Route for This Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

With that in mind, here’s a summary of the 14 day Oregon road trip we’ll cover in detail below. 

  • Day 1 : Arrive in Portland, pick up car, drive to Astoria
  • Day 2 : Drive to Cannon Beach
  • Day 3 : Hike in Oswald West State Park, drive to Tillamook (+eat cheese and ice cream)
  • Day 4 : Drive Three Capes Scenic Route, drive to Newport
  • Day 5 : Drive to Cape Perpetua and Heceta Head Lighthouse and on to Eugene
  • Day 6 : Drive the Mckenzie River Scenic Byway to Bend
  • Day 7 : Bend (Downtown + Breweries) 
  • Day 8 : Bend (Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway)
  • Day 9 : Smith Rock State Park and drive to Mount Hood (Government Camp) 
  • Day 10 : Mount Hood (Government Camp) 
  • Day 11 : Mount Hood (Government Camp) to Hood River
  • Day 12 : The Columbia River Gorge and drive to Portland (drop off rental car)
  • Day 13 : Explore Portland
  • Day 14 : Portland in the AM, fly home in the afternoon / evening

Here’s a map of that route. 

We think this itinerary is a good blend of scenic drives (the Oregon Coast and the Mckenzie River Scenic Byway are two of our favorites), cool towns (Astoria, Hood River, and Bend), and great outdoor adventures.

Which is basically everything we love about Oregon, packed into two weeks (minus some of the further out spots that don’t make sense here). 

Like we said, you can’t fit it all into one road trip. But we’ve done our best to include the highlights in hopes that you’ll fall in love with Oregon and come back a second (and third) time to explore more. 

How Many Days Do You Need for this Road Trip?

We really, really think that to do a full Oregon road trip that includes both the northern coast and Bend, you need a full two weeks (14 days) . Otherwise, you’ll spend way too much time driving, and not enough time out exploring. 

Which is exactly how we’ve written the road trip below. 

If you have 7-10 days , we’d do a more focused road trip that follows a figure-8 with Portland at the center. Head east to the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, and Mount Hood, then come back through Portland and head out to the Oregon Coast for a few nights, focusing on the stretch from Astoria to Tillamook. Here’s a map .

If you do have less time, we have example itineraries for 7 and 10 day road trips below the main itinerary to help you organize your time. 

Where to Start and End Your Road Trip

This one is easy – Portland! 

Portland is not really central in terms of the state – it’s up in the northwest corner – but it is central to some of Oregon’s best sights (the coast, Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, etc etc) AND it’s the best airport in the state (dare we say country?). 

Unless you live somewhere in Oregon or you’re driving up from California, the answer is Portland . 

The exception is if you have 10 days in Oregon and follow our road trip itinerary below. In that scenario, we’d recommend flying into Portland, and out of Bend (Redmond Municipal Airport, RDM) to save time on driving back to Portland just to catch a flight. 

Flights out of Bend will be more expensive and involve connecting through Portland or Seattle, but it’ll save you four hours of driving. 

Where to Fly in and Out of?

The best option, with the most flights coming in and going out, is going to be our home airport – Portland International Airport (PDX) . 

Having lived in both Seattle and San Francisco, PDX is amazing when you compare it to those airports. It’s relatively well organized (as well organized as an airport can really be), and it’s clean, has good food and drink options, and the security lines are never “oh no am I going to miss my flight?” long. 

There are a couple of smaller airports in Oregon that could work, but will likely be more expensive and have fewer flight options. Those would be places like Eugene (EUG) and Bend  / Redmond (RDM) .

Chances are, PDX is going to be the best choice for about 99% of people. Plus, there are more rental car options! 

Do You Need to Rent a Car?

It probably goes without saying that you will need a car to do this road trip. If you’re coming from out of state, that probably means renting a car when you arrive. 

One thing we’d recommend is that you avoid having your rental car when you’re in the city of Portland .

We’ve organized the itinerary below to have Portland at the end, and we’d strongly recommend that you drop your car off at the airport when you roll into Portland, and spend your day or two in town carless. 

Another cool option would be renting a campervan for this road trip! On our six week road trip around Oregon in 2020 – the one that made us fall in love with the state and eventually move here – we lived out of our converted Honda Odyssey. 

road trip oregon

We love the flexibility of van living, though it certainly isn’t nearly as sexy as it looks in all of those pictures on Instagram.

We have a few favorite campgrounds in Oregon that we’ll give you in the itinerary below that are a once-in-a-lifetime experience (looking at you, Trillium). 

One thing we’ve been DYING to do is rent an Escape Campervan . If you’re looking to experience the whole camping thing, but don’t want to sleep in a tent (to be clear, we’re all for tent camping), then a campervan might be for you!

Escape’s vans are all hand-painted, have full kitchens, and would be a lovely way to experience Oregon.

Escape has an office in Portland , which is where you’d pick up and drop off your van. 

Exactly How to Plan an Amazing Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Now that we’ve covered the logistics you need to know to really plan your trip, let’s get into the itinerary itself!

There are a couple of principles that we’re going to follow as we take you through our perfect version of a road trip in Oregon. 

  • We think you should see the mountains and the coast . Both are spectacular, and part of the reason we love Oregon is that you can go from the mountains to the coast in about two hours, give or take. It’s magical. 
  • Oregon is big, and you don’t want to spend the entire time driving . We’re going to try and make sure you’re only driving a maximum of four hours between destinations, which means more time exploring, less time driving. 
  • There are too many places to see in one trip . Instead of trying to fit every single place into one road trip, we think you should focus so that you aren’t just rolling into a place in the late afternoon, and leaving the next morning. This, of course, means that you’re probably not going to be able to fit every single place into your itinerary. And that’s okay! You can always come back. In this itinerary, we’re focusing on the western half of the state, which is NOT to say there aren’t amazing things to see east of the Cascades. 

With those principles in mind, we’ve created this 14 day Oregon road trip itinerary so that you can almost literally copy and paste it for your trip if that’s what you want. Or, you can use bits and pieces of it to cobble together your own version of the road trip. 

Stop 1: Astoria

road trip oregon

Astoria is a fitting first stop on this itinerary, because in many ways, it’s where the state of Oregon as we know it today began. Lewis and Clark Historical Park, which is just south of the city center, is near the location where Lewis and Clark made camp for three months, having completed their mission to find the Pacific Ocean. 

Now, you might be thinking that Lewis and Clark, who had completed their ultimate goal after a significant chunk of time spent struggling west from St. Louis, might have been celebrating with their feet up. 

But their arrival and stay happened to be smack dab in the middle of winter – from December through February – so rather than celebrating with the long, warm days of an Oregon summer, they were treated to constant drizzle and less than eight hours of sunlight. FUN. 

Anyway, Astoria is meaningful in many ways, from the early 19th Century and Lewis and Clark’s antics, to the time when John Jacob Astor tried to make Astoria the New York City of the west (he almost had it!). 

Today, it sits at the northwestern corner of Oregon, and is home to what has to be the highest number of breweries per capita in the country (there’s four or five, and Astoria is tiny), and filming locations for some of the iconic films of the 90’s (the Goonies and Kindergarten Cop, among others). 

What to Do in Astoria

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Astoria. 

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

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Like we mentioned, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is near the site of Fort Clatsop, which is where they set up camp for three miserable months before heading home to report back to Jefferson.

There’s a model of Fort Clatsop here, a bunch of fun information on what life was like on that expedition (and some very charismatic rangers eager to share anecdotes like the one above), and a hike that connects the fort with the coast, a route that they covered many times. 

However, the hike isn’t really worth too much of your time – it’s 6.5 miles one way out to the coast – we’d do the first mile or so, enjoying the ferny forests of sitka spruce trees before heading back. 

The Astoria Column

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The Astoria Column is perched up on the hill above town with a commanding view out over the Columbia River and the famous Astoria-Megler Bridge – that’s the green bridge crossing the river to the Washington side. 

The Column is an interesting piece of art, because it is wrapped in the story of Astoria. It’s hard to see the artwork when you’re standing at the base looking up at it, but there’s a digital re-creation with labels that is helpful to understand exactly what you’re viewing. 

You can climb to the top of the column for an even more impressive view of the river. It costs $5 to park in the lot at the Column, or you can park at the base of the hill in town (roughly here ) and hike the Cathedral Tree Trail up for free. 

Fort Stevens State Park

This is the northwest corner of Oregon, and also – fun fact – the site of the only attack on a military base in the contiguous United States since the War of 1812 (the Japanese shelled it a few times in 1942). 

It’s a State Park, though it was a military base through the early 20th Century. Today, the bunkers are one of the main draws here, and are particularly interesting when there are rangers and volunteers out there to tell you stories about the local history (which is usually on weekends in the summer). 

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It’s worth driving out to the coast and hitting the wreck of the Peter Iredale , a shipwreck on a wide sandy beach, and Clatsop Spit at Lot C ( here on Google Maps) where you can walk out along the rocks on the Pacific. 

The Breweries

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Two of Oregon’s best breweries are up in Astoria – Buoy Beer Co and Fort George Brewing – and are basically a must-stop for any beer aficionados who find themselves in the state’s northwest corner.

They each have a taproom within walking distance of the main drag, and both have food menus and extensive taplists, with many beers you’re not going to find outside of the taproom. 

In addition, there are a few smaller breweries, namely Reach Break Brewing and Fortune and Glory Cider Company (technically not a brewery, I guess). Across the street from them is Bridge & Tunnel Bottleshop & Taproom , the best beer bar in Astoria (and a good place to try multiple beers from different breweries). 

Stop 2: Cannon Beach

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Cannon Beach is one of the most popular day trips from Portland , because it’s a mere 90 minutes from downtown Portland. As a result, the area can feel unbearably overcrowded on summer weekends, as Portlanders (us included) flock to the coast to escape the inland heat. 

However, on a weekday or early in the morning and later in the evening, Cannon Beach is a lovely place to spend some time.

We recently went out to Cannon Beach – our first beach foray with our dog, Lupine – midweek in January, and we were basically the only people on the hiking trail in Ecola State Park. It was wet and muddy, yes, but it was so peaceful. 

The highlights in Cannon Beach are actually the state parks that border the town on the north and south end, Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park .

Sure, Cannon Beach – the town AND the beach – is nice, and you should definitely do a sunset walk on the beach. But definitely don’t miss the nearby state parks.  

What not to Miss in Cannon Beach

Here are some Cannon Beach highlights that you really shouldn’t miss. 

Haystack Rock

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It’s cliche, but Haystack Rock really is an impressive sight, especially if you’re not used to the towering sea stacks that you find up and down the Oregon and Washington coast.

In fact, we’d argue that Haystack Rock is up near the top of the list of tourist attractions in Oregon, somewhere below Multnomah Falls and above Powell’s Books in Portland. 

It’s a huge sea stack, rising 235 feet out of the surf to tower over the beach and surrounding community. It’s particularly spectacular at low tide, when you get some cool reflections in the wet sand. 

On our first trip to Cannon Beach, we witnessed a pair of Bald Eagles raiding the resident puffin colony for their eggs! It was quite the drama, and there are rangers on the beach in the summer who talk about the puffins and the attempts to keep them alive. 

Ecola State Park

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Ecola State Park was closed for years and years until very recently, when it was reopened to the public. As you drive in on the windy, tree-lined road, it’s easy to see why a couple of bad storms put the park out of commission for a couple of years. 

There are two things not to miss in Ecola State Park, we think. 

The first is Crescent Beach , which is a short hike accessed either from the main parking lot, or by walking into the park from Cannon Beach.

From the main lot, which you should visit whether you do the hike or not for the views, it’s a short downhill hike that winds through the ferny forest before an aggressive descent down to the beach.

The beach is best at low tide, when it’s wide and sandy and littered with driftwood and sea stacks. Basically, everything you could possibly want in a Pacific Northwest beach. 

The second is Indian Beach . There’s a parking lot right at Indian Beach that fills up early because it’s a popular surfing destination. You can also hike out to Indian Beach from the main parking lot in the park, which is worth doing for the coastal views along the way. 

This park is one of the most popular destinations on the Oregon Coast, so it’s likely to be busy if you’re here in the summer or on a weekend. Get there early to get a parking spot in the relatively small lots!

Hiking in Oswald West State Park

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This is the other Oregon state park we referenced above, and it’s equally worthwhile. There are three hikes here to focus your time on. 

First is the hike to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain , which is an aggressive ascent up switchbacks to a viewpoint where you can see miles and miles of coastline to the south. 

Second is the hike out to Cape Falcon , which navigates out to the cape on the north side of Short Sand Beach, where you’ll have excellent views back towards the beach. Be aware that this hike is almost always extremely muddy. Seriously, do not underestimate the mud, even in the early summer. 

Third is the hike – though it’s more of a leisurely walk – out to Short Sand Beach , which is a wide sandy beach (at low tide, anyway) that is very popular with surfers. 

Stop 3: Tillamook & the Three Capes Scenic Route

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Everyone who has spent any significant amount of time in the Pacific Northwest knows Tillamook because of the cheese, ice cream, sour cream, or some other dairy product that every supermarket carries. And while you’re in Tillamook, you should definitely visit their factory for a tasty, educational experience. 

However, Tillamook is also home to the Three Capes Scenic Route, which is well worth a half day of your time to explore as well. 

What not to Miss in Tillamook

Here are three things not to miss when you’re in Tillamook. 

The Three Capes Scenic Route

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Like we mentioned above, this is probably the premier thing to do near Tillamook. The Three Capes Scenic Route covers a 30 mile stretch of the Oregon Coast from Cape Meares to Cape Kiwanda (Cape Lookout is between them, and rounds out the “Three Capes”) where you’ll have great coastal views around every bend in the road. 

If you’re following this itinerary as we’ve laid it out, you’ll be heading north to south.

Cape Meares is your first stop, and there are two things to check out. First is the Cape Meares Lighthouse, which is the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. However, it has an impressive lens that was installed in 1890.

The second thing not to miss is the Octopus Tree (it’s a weird looking tree with eight branches, hence the name) and the viewpoint right past it that looks out over the beaches to the south, including Short Beach. It’s a short walk from the main parking lot. 

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Cape Lookout is your next stop, and is our personal favorite of the three. The highlight, by far, is the hike out to Cape Lookout.

It’s a relatively easy hike that hugs the cape, which narrows as you get further and further out onto it before the trail ends at its western tip, where the views are amazing and you can hear the seals frolicking on the rocks below.

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It’s also a good place for whale watching in spring, because it’s about as close to the migrating mammals as you can get. 

Cape Kiwanda is the last of the three capes, and it’s a little different. It’s very popular with surfers, and you can drive out onto the beach, which means it’s a slightly different crowd that includes fishermen and boaters.

From the parking lot, the main attraction is up and to the right of the beach, where you can hike up onto the cape for some great views in both directions. You’ll be hiking up in deep sand, so it’s harder than it looks.

Make sure to catch the hang gliders, if they’re out, who use the northern end of the cape as a jumping off point. 

Tillamook Cheese Factory

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The Tillamook Cheese Factory is legendary. Not only is there a cool educational experience where you can see how they make the cheese, but there are some truly great food options, including a huge ice cream scoop shop. 

If you’ve never had their ice cream before, it’s incredibly creamy. That’s their whole thing. The chocolate peanut butter swirl is Alysha’s favorite, with thick, creamy swirls of peanut butter tucked into their chocolate ice cream.

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They also have a retail store here, where you can buy all of their cheeses, including some of their hard-to-find reserve varieties, along with a selection of other local products.

If they have them, do not miss their cheese curds, which are only available at the factory and are incredible (we’d never had them before we bought them a few years ago and fried them up post-hike over our camp stove – incredible). 

There’s actually a second cheese destination down the road – Blue Heron Cheese – though we weren’t nearly as impressed with the presentation. The cheese – which leans towards French style – is really good, though. 

Hiking in Lincoln City

Technically this isn’t Tillamook – it’s 30-45 minutes south – but we’re including it here because two of our favorite hikes on the Oregon Coast are in and around the sleepy coastal community of Lincoln City.

The first is Cascade Head , which is maintained by the Nature Conservancy (no dogs allowed). It’s a great hike that climbs through the forest and emerges onto a (very windy) bluff over the ocean, which you can climb up for some great coastal views. It’s windy as you get out onto the coast, so be prepared. 

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The second is God’s Thumb , which is a short hike from the north end of Lincoln City that takes you out to a point, which looks out over the Oregon Coast both north and south. Along the loop, you’ll pass the Knoll, where you’ll have a great view of the neverending sandy beach that stretches out to the south. 

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Stop 4: The Mckenzie River Scenic Byway 

Full disclosure here: this part of the itinerary requires a long drive, but we think it’s worth it because this part of Oregon might just be our favorite in the entire state. 

The Mckenzie River Scenic Byway follows the path of, you guessed it, the Mckenzie River, which is one of Oregon’s many important rivers. For your purposes, we’d recommend driving it from the I-5 corridor (you’ll take Highway 126 from Eugene, which connects you to Highway 242) all the way to the eastern end in Sisters. 

It’s a gorgeous drive, littered with waterfalls, tight switchbacks, alpine lakes, and lava flows. 

There are a few things you need to know about this stretch. First, it’s closed outside of summer and early fall (usually open between July and October). Second, it’s a narrow one way road, so it might not be best for RVs or trailers. 

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Highlights of the Mckenzie River Scenic Byway

Here are our favorite stops along the Mckenzie River Scenic Byway. 

Also, if you follow this itinerary as we’ve written it, you’ll be approaching from the west (coming from the Eugene area). We’ve organized the stops from west to east for that reason. 

Proxy Falls

Over the course of this trip, you’re going to see a bunch of incredible waterfalls, especially as you get into the Columbia River Gorge later in the itinerary. Proxy Falls will likely be in your top three. 

It’s a short hike – roughly 1.5 miles – that takes you to a massive waterfall that cascades down the mossy rocks into Proxy Creek. You can do a loop that takes you to both Lower Proxy Falls and Upper Proxy Falls. 

The lower falls is the more impressive of the two, and the view from the base is incredible. 

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This pristine alpine lake is one of the spots we’re hoping to return to this summer. It’s a gorgeous lake with a perfect reflection of the Three Sisters (really two of the three sisters), one of the most distinctive natural features of central Oregon, and a bunch of first come, first served campsites along the lakeshore. 

However, the tradeoff here is the mosquitoes, which are intense in the early summer. 

For your purposes, we’d park along the lake and walk out to the western shore to get that reflection picture. It’s best in the afternoon, when the sun is behind you. 

Dee Wright Observatory

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As you ascend the tight switchbacks along the road as you pass Scott Lake, you’ll notice an abrupt change in the landscape.

In what seems like a few minutes, you’ll go from dense evergreen forests to an open, rocky landscape. That shift is a result of a massive eruption of the Belknap Crater two millennia ago, and that dark rock stretching out as far as the eye can see is the resulting lava flow. 

The Dee Wright Observatory is an excellent stop not only to admire the lava flows, but because it gives you a great overview of the numerous rocky peaks surrounding you.

This, my friends, is the heart of the Cascades in Oregon, and you’ll see the Sisters, Broken Top, Mount Washington, and Mount Jefferson, along with a handy key atop the Observatory to help you identify which is which. 

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Sisters represents the end of the Mckenzie River Scenic Byway, and the beginning of central Oregon and the high desert, which stretches for hundreds of miles to the east until you get into the Wallowas in eastern Oregon. 

Sisters itself is a cute little town that’s a great base for adventures into the nearby Three Sisters Wilderness. It’s a vaguely western-themed town, with some great spots to eat and drink (Sisters Coffee and Sisters Meat and Smokehouse are good stops) and a cute little downtown area where you can do some window shopping. 

Stop 5: Bend

Over the past decade or so (though it seems like it happened overnight), Bend has gone from being somewhat on the map, to being one of the most famous outdoor destinations in the western United States. 

As you drive through the Cascade Mountains into the heart of Central Oregon, you’ll notice that the landscape starts to change.

First you hit the eastern foothills, which are notably more dry than the western foothills, and as you continue to Bend and beyond, you’ll be right in the heart of the high desert that stretches across Central Oregon. 

Bend is perfectly placed between the mountains and the high desert. Within 45 minutes or so, you can be in the heart of the alpine paradise in the Cascades, or hiking through the desert dodging rattlesnakes in Smith Rock State Park (more on that in a second). 

Within 45 minutes or so, you’ve got great hiking, cycling, skiing, watersports, and more. Plus, Bend itself has a pretty good food scene, the Deschutes River and all the watersports it has to offer, and perhaps the best selection of breweries in the country. 

Highlights in Bend

Here are some things to do in Bend, though some of the best things to do are just outside of town along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, which we’re covering in a separate section below. 

Hikes Around Bend

Within the Bend city limits, there are a few good hikes (we’re not counting the hikes in the mountains or at Smith Rock, which we have separate sections for below). 

Pilot Butte is right in the middle of town, and after a quick ascent you have a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape that serves as a nice introduction to Central Oregon’s geography. To the west, you’ll be able to see the snow capped peaks of the Cascades (there’s a topographic map to help you identify which peak is which). To the east, it’s a lot of flat land. 

We also have hiked pieces of the Deschutes River Trail , which heads south out of town along the river. You could follow the trail for miles and miles, but there’s a nice 2.7 mile loop that focuses on the part of the trail near the Old Mill District that would be a lovely way to spend a morning.

It would look something like this . If you want something a little longer, continue south from Farewell Bend Park, which is where the trail gets a little less developed.  

Explore Downtown Bend

Downtown Bend is centered around Drake Park along the Deschutes River (there are several areas that could be confused as “downtown” so we wanted to clarify). 

There’s also the Old Mill District, which is a little bit south (and has more chain retailers and Red Robin vibes, if you know what we mean), and the Box Factory, which is between them. 

In downtown Bend, go to Lone Pine for coffee, The Lemon Tree for brunch (it’s popular so go early), Bontà for gelato. Then, poke your head into the many shops and boutiques along NW Wall and NW Bond. 

Brewery Hopping

Bend, like Portland, is known for its breweries. And like Portland, there are way, way too many breweries to visit in just a couple days. Here are a couple that we like for one reason or another.

  • Deschutes Brewing : In many ways, the OG Craft Brewery in Bend that set off the craft beer craze in Oregon. It’s still owned by the original owners (rather than Anheuser-Busch), which is cool. They do tours (which we’ve done and enjoyed), and they have an onsite taproom with beers that you can’t find elsewhere. 
  • Silver Moon Brewing : A cozy taproom outside of town – we like them for their Thursday trivia nights! They have a cool space that has both indoor and outdoor seating with a lineup of live music in the summer. They also have a couple of food trucks onsite. 
  • Crux Fermentation Project : Our friends who are beer nerds think this is the best beer in Bend (though they also note that there’s too many and they’re too different to really choose). What we like about them is their HUGE outdoor terrace, which is a perfect place for some cold beer after a morning of hiking.  

Cider in Bend

If you’re more into cider (we are!), the small town of Tumalo just north of Bend has a couple of our favorite cideries in Oregon, and they’re about three blocks from each other. The first is Tumalo Cider , which has a nice taproom and great, dry ciders. 

The second is Bend Cider Company , which has a new-ish taproom a couple of blocks away. They do fun flavor combinations featuring fruits and botanicals (but not too sweet!) – we liked the Blackberry Ancho we tried recently. 

There’s a food cart pod across the street from Tumalo Cider which would make a good stop for lunch between cider tastings.

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Stop 6: The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

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The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (Highway 372) leaves Bend, heading southwest out into the alpine paradise that is Deschutes National Forest. Skiers and snowboarders familiar with Oregon will know this stretch because it takes you out to Mount Bachelor, one of the state’s premier skiing destinations. 

Which, if we think about our other favorite hiking spots in the Pacific Northwest, is a great indicator of a good summer hiking destination. 

Come July, when most of the snow has melted away, a landscape of wildflowers, snowy peaks, and numerous alpine lakes emerges. And it’s one of our favorite hiking spots in the state. 

It’s worth spending a day driving the byway, starting in Bend and working your way down to Elk Lake before returning the way you came. You could also do a loop, taking NF-40 back towards Bend, but we’d prefer driving the more scenic byway both ways. 

This is a very popular stretch, and there is a permit you’ll need to enter during the peak summer season. 

Things Not to Miss Along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

Here are our favorite stops along this stretch of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. 

Tumalo Falls

Honestly, the hike to Tumalo Falls kind of sucks. But the waterfall is cool, so there’s that! It’s a 97 foot high plunge into Tumalo Creek, and if you do the six mile hike, you’ll reach the viewing platform and realize that it’s a five minute walk from the upper parking lot.

We’d drive to the parking lot and check out the falls, saving your energy for a more interesting hike (there are many!) later. 

Hiking Along the Byway

The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is full of great hikes, particularly as you get out past Mount Bachelor. 

Here are a few good ones. 

The Green Lakes Trail : Potentially our favorite hike in central Oregon (technically it’s in the Cascades, so does that count as central Oregon?), this hike has everything we love about hiking in Oregon . Following a babbling creek the entire way, which is the perfect white noise for a hike? Check. Pristine alpine lake (really, lakes)? Check. All sorts of peaks to admire? Check. It’s 9 miles, but it’s an easy 9 miles, we think. 

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The Tumalo Mountain Trail : A tough ascent, but the views from atop Tumalo Mountain are worth the sweat. You’ll have Mount Bachelor, the South Sister, and Broken Top right in your face, with various other peaks peeking out behind them. It’s basically straight up, straight down. 

If you’re really up for a challenge, there are two excellent but difficult hikes here: Broken Top & No Name Lake and the South Sister . Both are very difficult, and should not be underestimated. The South Sister is going to be better if you can camp the night before at Moraine Lake or Green Lakes, which cuts down your ascent (but requires an extra night of backpacking, and all the associated gear). 

Sparks Lake

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We love Sparks Lake. The main photo on the homepage of this site (at the time of writing) was taken there on an early summer morning just after sunrise.

Head to the day use area, park, and walk along the southeastern shore of the lake, where you’ll be treated to an absurdly good view of the South Sister and Broken Top, with a reflection in the still water of the lake if you’re lucky. 

Stop 7: Smith Rock State Park

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I will never forget the first time that I laid eyes on Smith Rock State Park during a spring trip to Bend with friends. I had only really ever been to Bend to go skiing in the winter at that point, which had us out in the forest to the city’s west at Mount Bachelor. 

Smith Rock, with its winding river snaking its way between orange-hued rock formations, looks like it belongs somewhere in Utah or Arizona, not in Oregon. At least in my mind, having never explored Oregon east of the Cascades at that particular point in my life. 

Bend is perched in the eastern foothills of the Cascades, and it is situated between the lush evergreen forests that cover the western part of the state, and the high desert that covers most of central and eastern Oregon. 

Remember at the beginning of this guide, when we said that Oregon is the ninth biggest state in the country? Bend is about 25% of the way from the western border (the coast) to the eastern border with Idaho. Which means the high desert stretches for a LONG time from Bend to the east. 

Smith Rock State Park is a destination that is definitely worth stopping at, but it’s not worth an entire section with separate things to do and places to stay. Instead, we’d recommend a stop on the way from Bend up to Mount Hood. It’s a perfect location for that. 

There’s really only one hike in Smith Rock State Park – though you can do it two ways – and that’s the Misery Ridge Trail . It’s accurately named, because the initial ascent up to Misery Ridge is brutal, especially on a hot summer day with full exposure to the sun. 

The views from the top of the ascent, though, are worth the price of admission. You’ll have a panoramic view of central Oregon, with the snowy peaks of the Cascades to the west, and the high desert stretching out as far as the eye can see to the east. 

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On the descent, you’ll pass Monkey Face, a very popular destination with rock climbers. It is also accurately named, because from a certain angle, it looks exactly like the face of a monkey. 

The trail descends back down to the river, where you can either head left (shorter and flatter) or right (longer with better views and more climbing) to finish the loop. 

Stop 8: Mount Hood

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Mount Hood is our favorite hiking destination within a couple of hours of Portland. We fell in love with it on that first Oregon road trip that eventually led us to move here, and we go back there as often as we can. 

During the winter, it’s home to some of Oregon’s best skiing. Then, when the snow melts in the late summer, it turns into a veritable alpine wonderland, with wildflowers blooming, roaring waterfalls, and stunning vistas of Mount Hood around every bend in the trail. 

The part you’re going to want to focus on here is the area in and around Government Camp , on Mount Hood’s southern side. That’s where all the action is, though that’s not to say there aren’t worthwhile places to visit on other sides of the mountain. 

By focusing there, you’re also nicely positioned for the next stop on your Oregon road trip itinerary, Hood River, where you’ll just hop back on Highway 26 and continue north to Oregon’s northern border. 

Things Not to Miss Near Mount Hood

Here are some of our favorite things to do and see near Mount Hood.

McNeil Point (or Bald Mountain via Lolo Pass) 

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For some of the best views in Oregon, you should hike one of these two trails. 

However, be warned, the hike up to McNeil Point is no joke. Not even a little bit. We did it at the peak of our hiking powers, during a summer where we were hiking 7-8 miles almost every day, and it kicked our butts. 

With that warning out of the way, it’s a fantastic hike. It takes you up to an alpine wonderland on Hood’s northwestern slope where you’ll have unobstructed views of the mountain, and you’ll feel like you’re close enough to reach out and touch it. 

The full hike to McNeil Point is a 10 mile lollipop – you should do the lollipop section counterclockwise because it involves a scramble that is easier to do uphill (you can also go around and make it an out and back, but it’s about 2 miles longer). 

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Our favorite view in Oregon is the view from Bald Mountain – you’ll find it plastered all over this website – which you can access either on the way up to McNeil Point, or as a different, much easier hike from the Lolo Pass Trailhead. That’s a good shorter option that is more accessible for more hikers. 

Ramona Falls

If you want a waterfall hike, this is it. Don’t let the 7 miles scare you off – it’s a pretty easy hike with the exception of the crossing of the Sandy River, which used to have a bridge, but has since been relegated to “I don’t know, find your own way across.” 

It’s not an easy one, though it is worth noting that hundreds of hikers do it every day in the peak of the summer. There are various logs, and some narrower sections of the river a bit upstream from the trail where you can make the crossing. We wouldn’t take our dog, though. 

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Ramona Falls, unlike some of the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, is a wide cascading falls that dribbles down a rock wall rather than plunging down into a pool. Still, it’s very impressive, and it’s 120 feet tall – tall enough that it’s hard to get the whole thing in frame on a photo without a wide angle lens. 

Timberline Lodge and ZigZag Canyon

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Timberline Lodge is an uber-rustic lodge that is reminiscent of the various national park lodges in the American West. It was built in 1937, and has since been declared a National Historic Landmark. If you’re up for a splurge, their rustic rooms would be a fun place to stay. 

However, even if you’re not staying here, it’s worth coming up to do some exploring on the trails around the lodge (in the summer, anyway, it’s a ski resort during the winter months). 

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Our favorite of the bunch is a piece of the Timberline Trail, which circumnavigates Mount Hood, and it’s the stretch between the lodge and Zigzag Canyon. It’s a beautiful, somewhat easy hike that ends with a view of the peak up a canyon. 

Trillium Lake

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This is our favorite campground in Oregon, although it’s also one of the most competitive. We’ve camped here a few times, and we’ll do it again. 

The draw here is the excellent views of Mount Hood, often reflected in the surface of the lake, which you can find from the southern end of the lake near the day use parking. It’s also a great place to bring watercraft like kayaks and stand up paddleboards in the summer. 

Stop 9: Hood River (+ the Hood River Valley & Tamanawas Falls)

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Hood River is a town in the Columbia River Gorge, and it is perched at a crossroads of sorts. It sits at the point where the wet, temperate climate of western Oregon transitions to the dry, more extreme climate of the high desert in eastern Oregon. 

To the west, you’ll find some of the best waterfalls in Oregon. To the east, the high desert. And both north and south are the Cascade Range, and places like Mount Hood and Mount Adams. 

There are a bunch of great things to do in Hood River, and that list grows longer when you include the fertile Hood River Valley and its fruit trees as far as the eye can see and the wineries along the Columbia River. 

Things Not to Miss Near Hood River

Here are a few of our favorite things to do in and around Hood River. 

Tamanawas Falls

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This hike is on the eastern slopes of Mount Hood, and would be an excellent stop between Government Camp and Hood River. It’s right on Highway 26, and it’s a nice, easy hike up to a spectacular waterfall. 

Parking is limited, so you’ll want to get there early, or be prepared to wait for a spot in the tiny lot – parking along the highway is illegal, and we’ve seen people get tickets here. 

Read More: Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Spectacular Tamanawas Falls Trail

The Fruit Loop

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The Hood River Fruit Loop is a perfect half-day activity near Hood River that takes you through the fertile Hood River Valley, with apple and pear trees as far as the eye can see (with backdrops of Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Hood). 

There are a bunch of worthwhile stops here, but our favorite is Draper Girls Country Farm , which does u-pick cherries for a short window in the summer, and has all around excellent produce more or less from spring to fall. 

They have a lovely back patio area with great views of Hood, and a lush collection of various fruit trees. Plus, a great selection of locally made jams, honeys, and other stuff inside the shop. 

Wine Tasting near Hood River

road trip oregon

The area around Hood River, both on the Oregon side of the Gorge, and on the Washington side, is a great place to grow grapes and make wine.

There are a bunch of wineries in Hood River itself (Hood River Common House is a good spot), but the real way to do it is to hop in the car and drive out to one of the wineries dotting the landscape around Hood River.

We like the Gorge White House (not the best wine and cider, but the setting is amazing) and Loop de Loop (the friendliest wine makers and the best dog), and have also heard good things about AniChe Cellars, Le Doubblé Troubblé, and Analemma Wines (this one came highly recommended from the folks at the Ruby June Inn, where we stayed on our recent trip). 

Stop 10: The Columbia River Gorge 

road trip oregon

The Columbia River Gorge runs along the northern border of Oregon (it separates Oregon from Washington State). 

Depending on how good your memory is (and how long ago high school was for you), you may remember the Columbia River from your days learning about Lewis and Clark, because it’s the river that they came up as they made their way out to their final destination just south of Astoria. 

Living in Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is essentially our backyard. It takes 30-40 minutes for us to get out there, and when we’re looking for an easily accessible hike for a random Thursday morning, this is generally where we’re heading. 

There is a nice mix of different hikes in the Columbia River Gorge , from easy waterfall hikes to hikes that climb to the rim of the Gorge, where you’ll find dramatic vistas out over the Columbia River and the gorge beyond. 

road trip oregon

Things Not to Miss in the Columbia River Gorge

Since the previous stop we have is Hood River, you’ll be hitting these stops from east to west, which is how we have them organized below. 

We should also note that we’re only covering the Oregon side here, because that’s the best bang for your buck and most convenient for this particular itinerary. 

There are a bunch of great hikes on the Washington side of the Gorge – including Dog Mountain and Hamilton Mountain , two of our favorite hikes in the Columbia River Gorge – that are worth a detour if you’re looking for a hike with excellent views of the Gorge. 

Wahclella Falls

road trip oregon

This is the best bang-for-your-buck waterfall adventure in the Columbia River Gorge, we think. Multnomah Falls is great, yes, but it’s an absolute zoo at all hours.

The short and easy hike out through a canyon with steep rocky walls here weeds out most of the visitors, and you end up at a beautiful waterfall that tumbles off of a ledge into a pool 65 feet below. 

Read More: Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Wahclella Falls Trail

The Historic Columbia River Highway 

The Historic Columbia River Highway runs from the town of Dodson, just west of Bonneville (and the dam of the same name), all the way to the town of Troutdale, which is just east of Portland. It’s a windy two lane road that parallels I-84, and is the original road that was used to traverse the Gorge on the Oregon side. 

Our recommendation would be to drive it from Multnomah Falls to its western terminus, because there are routinely huge traffic jams along the road at the base of Multnomah, and it’s better to park in the big lot along I-84. 

Multnomah Falls

road trip oregon

Multnomah Falls is the queen of the waterfalls in Oregon. It’s by far the most impressive waterfall in the state, we think, and it’s actually the biggest tourist attraction in Oregon thanks to its location about 40 minutes away from downtown Portland. 

It’s a two-tiered waterfall that, all-in, falls 620 feet down from the top of the rocky ledge high above the viewing platform. 

The only issue we have with Multnomah Falls is the fact that, at any given moment, you’re likely to be sharing the experience with around 1,000 of your closest friends.

It’s worth seeing, but there are so many other waterfalls in the Gorge to get to with a fraction of the visitors (especially if you’re willing to hike a little bit). 

Oh, definitely park at the bigger parking lot along the freeway ( here on Google Maps) – the smaller lots at the base of the falls are an absolute nightmare, and we’ve seen massive backups along the Historic Columbia River Highway of people just waiting to get a spot. The bigger lot has more parking, and you just have to walk a few hundred feet to get to the falls. 

Latourell Falls

Lower Latourell Falls is one of the most scenic waterfalls in the Gorge after Multnomah, particularly in the winter when the water level is high AND there’s a bright greenish-yellow moss covering the rocks on either side of the falls. 

The lower falls is the more impressive, we think, as it falls 225 feet off of a ledge in one single drop. There’s a nice wooden bridge at the base of the falls, which is a short hike from the trailhead that is a must-do, that is a good spot for pictures. 

road trip oregon

There’s a nice, relatively easy two mile loop hike that takes you up to the Upper Falls and down around to the base of the lower falls that is a worthy excursion if you have the time and energy. 

The Vista House & Portland Women’s Forum

These are two excellent viewpoints at the western end of the Historic Columbia River Highway to cap off a day full of great views. Pictures are worth 1,000 words here, we think, so here’s a few we’ve gotten from up here. 

road trip oregon

Stop 11: Exploring Portland

road trip oregon

What can we say about Portland? We have fallen head-over-heels in love with our new home. Everyone always talks about the “weirdness,” which we have come to understand as an implicit  permission to be whoever you want to be. 

That idea flows through to the unique small business culture that exists in Portland, where you can find all sorts of locally made foods, crafts, and home goods.

The funny part about Portland is that there aren’t really any big name tourist attractions. Seattle has the Space Needle, San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge, and Portland has… a donut shop and an independent bookstore? But, honestly, that’s kind of why we love it. It’s not that there isn’t a lot to do – there’s plenty of amazing things to do in Portland. 

The food scene? The best on the west coast (except for maybe L.A.). There’s a culture of innovation – which we think is at least partially driven by the food cart scene that allows for low-cost experimentation (versus opening a brick and mortar location). 

The access to the outdoors? Between the excellent parks in Portland and the access to the mountains, Gorge, and coast, it’s hard to beat.

We’re in love with our home, and think you’ll like it too. 

What Not to Miss in Portland

Now, there are way too many things to list here, so we’re going to focus on our top five here.

For more, we’d encourage you to head over and read our other Portland guides: 

  • 25 Amazing Things to Do in Portland: A Helpful Guide
  • One Day in Portland: The Best of Portland Packed into 24 Hours
  • 2 Days in Portland: How to Plan a Perfect Weekend in Portland
  • 21 Incredible Hikes near Portland: A Complete Guide
  • Here are the 18 Best Coffee Shops in Portland, According to a Coffee Nerd

Powell’s City of Books

road trip oregon

The fact that we’re starting with an independent bookstore – the largest in the world, no less – tells you just about everything you need to know about Portland. It’s right in the heart of downtown Portland, and is an astounding collection of books from all genres. 

This place is amazing, and even since we’ve lived here I can’t walk out of here with at least one book. I bought a light blue Powell’s Books t-shirt on clearance almost a decade ago that I wear often, and every time I wear it outside of Portland (usually in Seattle) at least one person stops me to chat about how much they love Powell’s. 

They have an extensive collection of books, including big sections dedicated to fantasy/sci-fi, Pacific Northwest history, and graphic novels. We especially like the staff picks section in the entryway, which is a nice way to see what the staff are reading and recommending at the moment. 

The International Rose Test Garden

road trip oregon

Washington Park – which is the park where this rose garden is located – is the best park in Portland, and is home to a bunch of different attractions including the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Japanese Garden. 

But the Rose Garden, which is both free and spectacular, is the best of the bunch, we think. 

There are 10,000 roses here, and when they’re in full bloom between roughly April and September (sometimes longer), it’s quite a sight to behold. 

Breakfast / Brunch in Portland

Portland is an excellent food city in general, especially when you consider prices are going to be about 25% lower than other cities on the west coast. However, it really shines in the morning, when you’ll find some world-class breakfast and brunch options. 

Now, you might expect to see Voodoo Donuts on this list. The novelty donuts are fun, yes, but it’s far from undiscovered, and there are honestly much better doughnuts to be had in Portland. Like, a lot of them. 

Go to Blue Star , Doe Donuts , Coco Donuts , or Petunia’s Pies and Pastries (for gluten free and vegan donuts) if you’re in and around Downtown Portland. 

Here are some of our favorites, in no particular order. 

  • Fried Egg I’m in Love : Award-winning breakfast sandwiches! They have food carts in downtown Portland and up on Mississippi Avenue, along with a brick & mortar shop on Hawthorne Blvd in Southeast Portland. 
  • Ken’s Bakery : The best bakery in Portland, probably. It’s in northwest Portland, and is a local favorite with a rotating selection of pastries that you can see them making right behind the register. Good sandwiches for lunch, too, but the hero is the pastries in the morning. 
  • Pips Original Doughnuts & Chai : Go for the mini donuts (they are NOT donut holes, Matt!) with innovative flavors, stay for the incredible chai. There’s a perpetual line, especially on weekends, so go when they open if you can. Alysha LOVES their chai. 

road trip oregon

Here’s a great guide to brunch in Portland for more ideas and options!

The Eastside

road trip oregon

While most of the tourist attractions like Powell’s and the Rose Garden (though Powell’s has a location on Hawthorne) are on the west side of the river, we actually like the east side of the river more. 

We’d divide this large and sprawling area into three distinct areas. If you’re staying downtown and don’t have a car, your best bets are going to be 

  • The Central Eastside : Just over the river from downtown, this area is an old industrial district that has become a great place to spend an afternoon, with all sorts of places to eat and drink. We like Schilling Cider House (for 50 taps of different ciders), Cascade Barrel House (for beer), and the Revolution Hall Rooftop (for drinks with panoramic views of Portland and Mount Hood).
  • Southeast Portland : Centered on Hawthorne Blvd and Division St, this stretch runs straight through a residential neighborhood and is full of places to eat and drink. Fried Egg I’m in Love (breakfast sandwiches), Cibo (pizza), Lauretta Jean’s (pies), Tov Coffee & Tea (great coffee and tea in a double decker red bus), Khao Moo Dang (for Thai) are the spots we’d hit. 
  • Mississippi Avenue : Our neighborhood! The stretch along Mississippi Avenue might be the most bang-for-your-buck in terms of the amount of bars and restaurants packed into a relatively short stretch. For food, Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty (of Chef’s Table fame), Kate’s Ice Cream (plant-based ice cream), and the food cart pod at Prost . For drinks, go to Ecliptic Brewing , or Interurban or Psychic Bar for cocktails. For shopping, don’t miss the Meadow , a store that we go to far too often with salt, chocolate, and bitters. 
  • The Alberta Arts District : The furthest from downtown Portland, Alberta Street is one of the main corridors in northeast Portland. Similar to the other places on this list, it’s packed with great food, drinks, and coffee. For coffee, don’t miss Proud Mary (our top coffee shop in Portland for fun single-origin coffees) and Barista . For food, go to Tin Shed Cafe for brunch, Zilla Sake for excellent sushi and sake, and Matt’s BBQ Tacos for…tacos. For drinks, Bye and Bye for good drinks and vegan food, and Great Notion Brewing for beer (and the aforementioned Matt’s BBQ Tacos , which operates on their patio). 

What to Do with Less Time in Oregon

With less time – 7 or 10 days in Oregon – we’d make some adjustments and be more focused with your time. 

With 7 days , we think you have time for a nice little loop that encompasses Portland and the mountains OR the coast, but probably not both. If you absolutely have to see both, you could add a day on to do a day trip out to the coast (Cannon Beach or Astoria) or the Columbia River Gorge (Hood River).

With 10 days , you have enough time to comfortably do a figure-8 that includes the mountains (Hood River and Mount Hood) and the coast (Cannon Beach and Astoria). 

Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of what those itineraries might look like. 

7 Days in Oregon: The Mountains

Here’s what a perfect 7 days in Oregon might look like, focused on the northwest corner of the state around Portland. 

Add a day if you want to do a day trip out to the coast (and read our guide to the best day trips from Portland ).

  • Day 1 : Arrive in Portland, drive to Hood River
  • Day 2 : The Columbia River Gorge
  • Day 3 : Hood River & Around
  • Day 4 : Mount Hood
  • Day 5 : Mount Hood
  • Day 6 : Portland
  • Day 7 : Portland & Fly Home

7 Days in Oregon: The Coast

Add a day if you want to do a day trip out to the mountains, and focus on Hood River or Mount Hood. 

  • Day 1 : Arrive in Portland, drive to Astoria
  • Day 2 : Astoria
  • Day 3 : Cannon Beach & Around
  • Day 4 : Tillamook & Three Capes Scenic Loop
  • Day 5 : Drive to Portland

10 Days in Oregon

With 10 days, do a loop starting and ending in Portland that takes you first out to the mountains (and the Gorge), then head west out to the coast for a couple of nights before returning to Portland. 

  • Day 6 : Drive to Cannon Beach
  • Day 7 : Cannon Beach & Around
  • Day 8 : Tillamook & Three Capes Scenic Loop
  • Day 9: Drive to Portland
  • Day 10 : Portland & Fly Home

How to Add Crater Lake National Park to this Road Trip Itinerary

road trip oregon

So you want to add Crater Lake National Park to your Oregon road trip itinerary.

Well, we have good news and bad news. 

The good news is that it’s totally doable as long as you have a little extra time. 

The bad news is that it’s only really accessible for a few short months a year, and it’s not really convenient even when it’s at its most accessible. It’s at the southern edge of the state, and it’s fairly far from just about everything else on this itinerary.  

To add Crater Lake to the itinerary, you’re going to want to do it after Bend. It’s about 90 minutes from Bend to the north rim of Crater Lake, which doesn’t seem so bad, right?

However, there is one major caveat here, and that’s the fact that the rim road that circles around to the north end of the rim is closed during the winter and early spring due to snow. It will start to open in early spring, but when exactly that happens totally depends on the year. 

That’s an issue to keep in mind because Bend is north of Crater Lake. The only way to access the small slice of the park that’s open between November and April (roughly), which is on the south rim, is to enter the park through the south entrance. Which is about three hours from Bend. 

We would only really recommend adding Crater Lake during the summer and early fall (call it June through October) when roads will be mostly open, and hiking trails will be mostly snow-free.

Add it as an overnight trip from Bend, and continue along on the Mckenzie River Scenic Byway as written. 

The Best Time to Do This Road Trip

The best time to plan this road trip is going to be July, August, and September.  That’s when roads are open, trails are largely snow-free, and you’ll be able to see everything you want to see.

Summer in Oregon

During the summer and early fall, mountain passes and hiking trails are clear of snow, days are warm and sunny, the sun rises before 6:00 am and sets after 9:30 pm, and it’s an all around spectacular time to be in Oregon. 

The downside is that, in recent years, Oregon has been ravaged by forest fires during the summer, bringing a thick smoke that makes it really unhealthy and unpleasant to be outside. It’s hard to predict, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re planning a trip in the summer. 

Fall in Oregon

Early fall is another great time to visit Oregon. The weather is, for the most part, still great (though it’s a little more unpredictable than summer). As you get into October, things start to cool off and snow can begin to show up in some of the passes through the Cascades (the Mckenzie River Scenic Byway, for example), which can make travel a bit more difficult. 

Spring in Oregon

Spring is gray and wet, though late spring (think Memorial Day into June) is a cool time to visit Oregon because of the blooming rhododendrons and roses. The weather isn’t going to be the best, but you’ll probably get a few nice, clear days over the course of your trip. 

In the spring, hiking trails at elevation – like around Mount Hood and Bend – are still going to be closed. If you’re into hiking, we’d definitely recommend waiting until later in the summer .  

Winter in Oregon

Winter isn’t a great time to do this road trip, if we’re being totally honest. The Cascades are blanketed in snow, which means you won’t get much of a taste of the mountains in Oregon (though you can get some skiing in at Mount Bachelor!) and the mountain passes are harder to navigate, often closing for days at a time due to winter storms. 

The upside of visiting in the winter is that the waterfalls in Oregon are WILD when it’s raining.

If you’re visiting in the winter, we’d stick to the areas west of the mountains and do the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, Silver Falls State Park, and the Oregon Coast . For what it’s worth, we’ve done the Oregon Coast multiple times in the winter, and it’s very moody (and wet). 

Here’s a map of what a winter road trip might look like. 

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Omg.. I cannot tell you how well written and amazing guide this is. Everything is broken down so well and easy to understand. Loved your blog and have already fallen in love with all the pictures of the falls and mountains you have on this blog. Thank you for writing this up.. Will surely use this guide when we plan to travel.

Thanks for the kind words, Kina!

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The 5 best road trips in Oregon for every type of adventurer

Sep 16, 2021 • 6 min read

road trip oregon

The bright lights on the road to Portland © © Seth K. Hughes / Getty Images

As the gateway to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon offers visitors a broad range of activities, from coastal viewpoints to volcanic peaks to rolling hills flush with vineyards.

If you’re willing to drive (and drive a lot), there are a slew of trips that each provide their own uniquely Oregon experience, whether you’re looking for outdoor scenery, extreme adventure, or a dose of literary and culinary history. From scenic day trips to multi-day excursions, here are our favorite road trips in Oregon.

Wallowa Mountain Loop Road

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway

Best road trip for scenic photographers Start – La Grande; End – Baker City; Distance – 213 miles

For the family looking for a long weekend escape or the adventurous #vanlife couple angling for that next great travel vlog, the Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway are bristling with opportunities for road-trippers who enjoy an active respite from the hours on the asphalt.

Winding mountain roads take you through a handful of Oregon’s most iconic small towns, including La Grande, Joseph (bonus points if you listen to the band of the same name on your way through), and concluding in Baker City.

Midway through the trip, be sure to stop off at Wallowa Lake State Park , home of the impressive Wallowa Mountain Range, and a large part of what makes this one of the best road trips in Oregon. Nicknamed “Little Switzerland” for its pristine glacial peaks and fresh alpine air, Wallowa Lake and the surrounding Eagle Cap Wilderness also feature a tramway, where visitors can ascend to the top of the impressive Mount Howard, over 8000ft above sea level.

Top things to do in Oregon

Hikers at Umpqua Sand Dunes in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on the central Oregon coast

The 101: PNW edition

Best road trip for beachgoers Start – Bandon; End – Pacific City; Distance – 168.5 miles

Monumental, jagged cliffs overhang crashing waves as seals, whales and other wildlife make their home in the murky blue depths below. The Oregon coast remains one of the most picturesque locations in the country, and, consequently, one of the best road trips for scenery the Beaver state has to offer.

The trip starts in Bandon, a small but oft-mentioned town about 100 miles north of the California border. Play a round at the legendary Bandon Dunes Golf Course (where the PGA Junior Tour is held each year), and try to leave with the same number of golf balls you arrived with.

Next, as the 101 winds its way east from the coastal cliffs, stop off in Florence, an inlet town at the mouth of the Siuslaw River (and only 60 minutes from Eugene ), for a night or a weekend spent four-wheeling across the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area .

For the extra bold, the Siuslaw Dunes Daybreak Racing offers a 25k or 50k footrace that treks across the dunes, the beach, and a forest trail all in the same course. After that, visit Nye’s Beach in Newport , located almost exactly halfway up the Oregon coast , and only an hour outside of Corvallis, home to Oregon State University.

Don’t let your visit pass by without a tour of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse (originally erected in 1871), and keep an eye out for migrating humpback whales in the early fall. The last stop on this epic coastal tour is Pacific City, site of yet another coastal dune and the flagship location of Oregon’s own Pelican Brewing , where guests can sip on hop-laden Pacific Northwest IPAs or the flagship Kiwanda Cream Ale while watching the Dory Boats (a traditional, flat-bottomed boat meant to sit on top of the surf) launch from the shore.

11 best beaches in Oregon

Rows of bookshelves in Powell's bookstore in Portland, Oregon

Trace Oregon’s literary history

The best road trip for book lovers Start – Bridge of the Gods (Columbia River Gorge); End – Salem; Distance – 87 miles

Whether you’re an Oregon native or just a really big fan of Powell’s Books , this road trip itinerary features the state’s most well-known literary landmarks. The first stop includes a short drive up the Columbia River Gorge to the Bridge of the Gods, where Cheryl Strayed, author of the memoir Wild , finished her inspirational journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. Enjoy fantastic views of the Columbia River, as well as the feeling of being just one degree removed from literary stardom.

Next, venture from the Gorge into Portland , where you can spend time visiting all of the highlighted passages in Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby series, from her iconic home on Klickitat Street to Central Library, where Cleary worked when she first conceived of the novels.

Follow the Multnomah County Library’s “ Walking with Ramona ” for a full list of locations and the literary events that happened there.

Finish off your real-life book tour by visiting the site of Ken Kesey’s famous novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in Salem . While the book was based on an unnamed location in Oregon, the movie was filmed in the Oregon State Hospital, transformed in 2012 into the Oregon State Museum of Mental Health.

Especially eager bibliophiles can also add the State Library of Oregon to their list, located just across town in the historic district.

The 25 best hikes in Oregon

Twin Rocks off the coast at Rockaway Beach

Surf & Turf: The Hood to Coast road trip

The best road trip for outdoor enthusiasts Start – Portland; End – Rockaway Beach; Distance – 222 miles

A long-running PNW sufferfest, the Hood to Coast relay is an annual summer tradition that brings runners across the varied terrain of Oregon’s volcanic peaks all the way to the rocky coast. But, why run when you can drive, and ski, and surf, all in the same day?

While most easily completed from Portland , this road trip itinerary can technically be started anywhere. The first stop is the well-known Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort , where skiers, snowboarders and sledders can find skiable snow in season almost six months out of the year. After spending the morning shredding the slopes, trade the bibs for a wetsuit and start your trek to the coast.

Just under three hours away, Rockaway Beach is a somewhat lesser-visited beach with a great local restaurant scene. If you leave the slopes after lunch, you’ll arrive just in time for an evening wave sesh as the sun sets over the scenic coastline. Top off your surf n’ turf day with a surf n’ turf meal at the Old Town Smokehouse , a no-frills seafood joint that’s been impressing locals and tourists alike for decades.

Sun rays through trees on a autumn day at evening sunset in Hood River OR

The Fruit Loop

The best road trip for foodies Start – Hood River; End – Hood River; Distance – 35 miles

Oregon’s seasonal fruit crops offer a tasty reward to anyone who can make it through the wet winter months. Beginning just above Hood River off of Highway 35, this 35-mile Fruit Loop features 25 different fruit stands, farms and u-pick centers that feature the Pacific Northwest’s finest selection of homegrown fruit.

Start with a fresh pear picking at The Gorge White House , followed by a fresh cider tasting at Fox Tail Cider & Distillery . Move onto lunch at the Packer Orchards & Bakery , and give your lavender picking skills a test at the renowned Hood River Lavender Farm .

Not sure you can do it all in one visit? The beauty of the Fruit Loop is that the fruits vary season to season, making this an easy choice as one of the best road trips in Oregon for foodies and fresh-picking fanatics alike.

Catch fresh Hood Strawberries in the early summer, blackberries and cherries in the middle of July, or the reliably delicious Oregon apples in the fall.

You might also like:

How to hike the Pacific Crest Trail  7 reasons Bend, Oregon, is the ‘outdoor playground of the west’ Top 10 parks in Portland, Oregon  

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Krista's Compass

The Best 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Ultimate Guide

road trip oregon

10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary for Adventurous Souls

If you’re an adventurous soul like me, you  must  visit this breathtaking state! Here is a 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary I’ve put together to help you plan your trip!

Oregon is a beautiful state located in the Western USA, just South of Washington State and above California. In my opinion, Oregon is very underrated.

Before going to Oregon, my family and friends asked me, “why Oregon? What’s even there?” and I just gave them a weird look and said, “why not? It’s freaking beautiful!”

best Oregon road trip stops to add to your 10 day Oregon road trip

It is an incredibly diverse place for its small size being only 255km². From waterfalls and mountains to badlands and deserts, this has been one of my favourite road trips to date.

We spent about 11 days here just driving around and exploring Oregon’s beautiful sights. Keep reading to plan your 10 day Oregon road trip! This is one of the best Oregon road trip itineraries for adventurous souls like you and me!

In this guide, you will mostly find adventures, hikes, waterfalls and anything that leads to a fantastic view. I haven’t added many other activities here, but feel free to add and remove them as you please!

Now, it’s time to plan a road trip to Oregon!

Let’s go!

save for future planning!

10 day oregon road trip itinerary for the best oregon road trip

10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Overview

Oregon, 10 day itinerary overview coming your way!

I wanted to give a quick rundown of the next 10 days before we get into full detail.

Some of these days on your Oregon 10 day itinerary are jam-packed with activities. As I mentioned, feel free to remove and add as you please!

Multnomah Falls

Wahclella falls, trillium lake, painted hills, smith rock state park.

  • Crater Lake
  • Umpqua National Forest

Watson Falls

Toketee falls, umpqua hot springs, day 5 – oregon coast.

  • Southern Oregon Coast exploring begins!
  • Harris Beach
  • Whaleshead Beach

Indian Sands

Secret beach, natural bridges, pistol river state park, meyers creek beach, kissing rock, battle rock.

  • Sister’s Rock

Oregon Dunes

  • Rent a dune buggy
  • Enjoy the beach
  • Northern Oregon Coast exploring begins!

Heceta Head Lighthouse

  • Devil’s Churn

Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn

  • Chubby Lil Mermaid Baker

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Yaquina head lighthouse.

  • Devil’s Punchbowl
  • Whale watching in Depoe Bay
  • God’s Thumb via the Knoll

Cape Kiwanda

Tunnel beach, cannon beach, related posts:, why do people travel, best oregon coast road trip spots, oregon’s painted hills guide, the best 10 day oregon road trip itinerary.

a view of the iconic multnomah falls in Oregon. One of the best oregon road trip stops for your itinerary

You’ll want to get up fairly early to get to Multnomah Falls in order to beat the crowds. Good thing it’s only about a 30-minute drive from Portland, Oregon. 

Once you arrive at the parking lot, you can cross through the tunnel to get to the falls. Here you will find the main lookout point.

We stopped to take some photos and take in the beauty of the falls before we hiked up the trail just past the stairs going up so we could get to the bridge.

There is a trail that goes higher, and you can get a lookout from the top, but me and my friend didn’t go all the way up, and we just went to the bridge and back down because that’s where the view was that we were really there to see.

best oregon road trip stops - a view from the bottom of wahclella falls, oregon

After leaving Multnomah Falls, we drove off to Wahclella Falls. The hike to the falls is about 3km and relatively easy.

There are inclines and declines throughout the hike, and the path is mainly dirt with a few bridges to cross along the way, and it takes roughly an hour to complete.

It’s a nice short hike, considering the incredible waterfall you get to see at the end. This one is a must for your 10-day Oregon road trip itinerary!

We only stopped here for a minute and kept going because the parking lot was full and the area was packed. But here you can stop and spend the afternoon paddleboarding and swimming.

It’s a beautiful lake with a picturesque view of Mount Hood in the back. It’s only just over an hour from Wahclella Falls, making it a great stop to relax for a bit. 

a view from lolo pass at Mount Hood

Your Oregon 10 day itinerary must include Mount Hood!

Okay, so this is a busy day, but next, you can head to Mount Hood and try one of the hikes there.

We did  Bald Mountain from Lolo Pass Trail . It’s a 10.8km out-and-back trail rated as moderate with a 454m elevation gain.

It’s a challenging hike for the first portion, but it becomes relatively easy once you get up the steep slopes. If you decide to do this trail, download the map on AllTrails before you go. It takes roughly 3.5-4 hours to complete, depending on your hiking skill.

We hiked up to watch the sunset and get some beautiful golden hour photos, which meant we were hiking down in the dark. If you do this, make sure to bring some headlamps or flashlights.

There are some shorter trails around the area, so feel free to switch it up if you’re not down to do something for so long. But we wanted to get the most beautiful view possible.

Mount Hood is a bucket list destination and is a must to have the best Oregon road trip.

Where to Stay

There are several campgrounds nearby, including Trillium Lake Campground, Barlow Tail Campground and Camp Creek Campground. Or you can opt to stay in a hotel or a lodge nearby in places like Mount Hood Village. 

Another option is to drive towards Painted Hills and find a place to stay to shorten the duration of your dive for the following day.

best stops for your oregon road trip itinerary - painted cove, painted hills, oregon

You can head to Painted Hills first thing in the morning. If you’re travelling there in the Summer, try to get there as early as you can so you can beat the heat.

It is a badlands area, and yes, it is usually significantly hot here than in other places in Oregon. While we were there, it was over 34℃, and the next day, when we got to the coast, it was only 14℃. That is an insanely huge difference!

You can pretty much see all of Painted Hills within 2.5 hours, which is pretty great. All of the trails are super short. My favourites are Painted Cove and Painted Hills Overlook. You can read my complete guide on Oregon’s beautiful Painted Hills here !

The Painted Hills is famous for the red hills that are super Instagram-worthy, so this is a must for your Oregon 10 day itinerary!

a view of the mountains and river at Smith Rock State Park - add this to your itinerary for when you road trip oregon

Next, you can drive over to Smith Rock State Park, where are numerous different hikes you can do. Smith Rock has mountains which is why I loved it so much.

We decided to hike Misery Ridge, which is a 3.6km trail up a 3300-foot summit. It was tough – or maybe we were just super weak – haha!

The elevation gain is a whopping 1,100 feet up a steep incline!

The views along the way are well worth the pain the hike put us through, and you can see Monkey Face. At the very top, you can see the breathtaking landscape below with the stunning Crooked River.

As we hiked, we ended up on River Trail, which made the hike a little longer, being 6.5km, but the views were so worth it!

a view from hiking in Smith Rock State Park - you need to add this hike for when you road trip Oregon

We even saw a rattlesnake in the middle of the path digesting its dinner!

We probably spent 6 hours here, but keep in mind we take  a lot  of photos, so extra time is needed! (and by a lot, we can spend like 30 mins in one spot just taking a gazillion photos)

If you want the best Oregon road trip, be sure to stop at Smith Rock State Park!

After you leave Smith Rock State Park, it’s time to head to your next destination on your 10 day Oregon road trip: Umpqua National Forest. The drive is about 3.5 hours and get’s pretty scenic!

Or you can stay somewhere in between so you are doing a little less driving that day.

There are plenty of options for places to stay in Bend, Oregon. This is a great midway point because you will be driving to Crater Lake tomorrow!

Explore Crater Lake

One thing I didn’t make time for on my trip that I would do differently is adding Crater Lake to my exploration list!

Crater Lake is absolutely breathtaking, and I will be adding it to my itinerary next time I head down to Oregon!

Here  you can find all the trails at Crater Lake and pick the ones you think you’d like to do the most!

Crater Lake is about a 2-hour drive from Bend, Oregon.

Head to Umpqua Forest

After you’re done exploring around Crater Lake, head to your next destination: Umpqua National Forest.

In Umpqua National Forest, we stayed in a small a-frame cabin at Umpqua’s Last Resort – Wilderness Cabins, RV Park and Glamping. It was such a cute little place, and I recommend it!

sitting by the hot springs in Umpqua National Forest. Umpqua Hot Springs are a must for your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary

Okay, so the reason you should get to Umpqua National Forest the night before is so you can get to Umpqua Hot Springs during sunrise. If you do this, you will beat most of the crowds, and there will be much fewer people.

Parts of the trail here are steep, and there are several trails that veer off, so make sure to download the map off AllTrails before you go.

Spend a few hours here just relaxing after your previous day of hard hiking! This is a perfect stop to make sure you have the best Oregon road trip.

Now we have a couple of really short hikes to add to your adventure list. Watson Falls is a short 1.3km loop trail that takes you to an incredible waterfall. It takes roughly 40 minutes to complete, so it won’t take up too much of your day!

Watson Falls is a 272-foot waterfall, making it the 3rd highest in Oregon, that falls over basalt lava cliffs.

10 day oregon road trip itinerary - Umpqua national forests's Toketee Falls is a must when you road trip Oregon!

You absolutely cannot miss Toketee Falls during your 10 day Oregon road trip, and it is a must for your Oregon bucket list!

The hike to Toketee Falls is also very short, being only 1.4km and takes only 30 minutes to complete.

There is a path down to the bottom of the falls, but it is super treacherous and rigid. There are ropes to help you get down. If you decide to go down, be very careful.

You can also jump into the water to take a dip, but the water is  freezing . I refuse to ever jump in that water again!

I froze my poor little butt off!

Toketee Falls is definitely one of the best Oregon road trip stops!

As I mentioned and highly recommend: Umpqua’s Last Resort – Wilderness Cabins, RV Park and Glamping.   The staff were super kind, and it was such a cute little place.

You can stay in this area for two nights if you’d like, or you can head over to Brookings, where you will continue for the best Oregon Coast itinerary!

10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: The Coast

These next few days will be your road trip along the Oregon Coast, starting in the Southern Oregon Coast and moving up to the North. I won’t go into full detail on each location during these next few days, but you can check out my complete Oregon Coast guide for all the information on each stop!

Keep on reading to start planning your Oregon Coast 101 road trip!

Harris Beach State Park

Southern Oregon Coast road trip Harris Beach is a must when you road trip through Oregon!

The first Oregon Coast 101 road trip spot is Harris Beach State Park!

This was a really stunning spot on the Southern Oregon Coast!

There are several parking areas to get down to the beach, but each one gives you some really scenic views,

The beach is massive, and there is so much to explore. I also spotted a bunch of little hermit crabs and purple and orange starfish all over the beach!

This is a great beach to stop and picnic on, or you can choose a different beach on this day to enjoy a picnic!

There are some short hiking trails along the beach that bring you up to have a higher viewpoint of the gorgeous views.

It’s a great spot to add to your itinerary when you road trip Oregon!

Whaleshead Viewpoint

Whaleshead view point is a must for your southern oregon coast road trip itinerary - add it to your 10 day oregon road trip!

This is a must for your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary!

Whaleshead beach is just a short walk down an incline path down to the beach. You can spend a couple of hours walking down the beach and enjoying the views.

The view right at the “whale’s head” is by far the best spot along the beach, but it’s worth spending some time here just enjoying the view.

a beautiful viewpoint of coastal arches on the Indian Sands hiking trail - you have to add this to your itinerary to have the best oregon road trip ever

Indian Sands is a really gorgeous trail on the Southern Oregon Coast drive. It’s a 1.8km loop trail close to Brookings, Oregon.

The trail is rated as moderate and has incredible views. Here you will get a mixture of stunning scenery like ocean views, sandy areas, forested areas and more! The views at the coast are the most gorgeous of all!

a stunning view of secret beach on the oregon coast - a must for your 10 day oregon road trip itinerary

You will want to plan to go during low tide for this beach. This stunning beach is along Secret Beach Trail and is a 2.6-mile long out-and-back trail.

It’s rated as moderate due to the steep sections of the trail.

It’s the perfect beach to pack a picnic on, so as I said, make sure to plan to go during low tide so you can actually explore this stunning beach!

I made the mistake of going as the tide was coming in, so I didn’t get the chance to explore the beach much, but I’ve heard there are some really cool sea caves that are worth checking out!

Secret Beach is a stunning spot for a picnic during your Southern Oregon Coast road trip!

one the most beautiful place in Oregon. Oregon coast road trip bucket list stops to add to your itinerary. Natural Bridges, Oregon

Okay – you abso-fricken-lutely can not miss this epic view during your Oregon Coast 101 road trip part of your adventure!

Natural Bridges is one of my favourite locations on this 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary for obvious reasons.

As you can see from the photo, this place is incredible!

You can stop just off the highway, take a short walk to the viewpoint, and take a picturesque view of the natural bridges.

Or, if you are feeling brave, you can hike down the trail to get to the really incredible views. More about this is on my Oregon Coast guide .

If you decide to go down, be very careful, as I’ve heard that people have died there. So go at your own risk!

Natural Bridges is definitely one of the best Oregon road trip stops!

You’ll stay in Brookings for this night. There are many places to stay in this area, so just find something that fits into your budget!

Today you will be driving North and stopping at some beautiful viewpoints along the way! We stayed in Coos Bay after making all of these stops but had we planned our trip in advance, we would have stayed in Bandon this night and on day 7.

Pistol River State Park - a beautiful stop on the Oregon Coast for when you road trip Oregon

We only stopped here quickly and took some photos at the viewpoint, but if you want and have the time, you can take a walk down the beach for some stunning views or even book horseback riding.

We saw people off in the distance, which looked like a beautiful experience!

At Pistol River, you can find hiking trails, windsurfing, beach access, fishing and some really gorgeous views.

This is another quick stop you can make and is part of the Pistol River State Scenic viewpoint and is a short couple hundred meters away from your previous stop on the Oregon Coast road trip itinerary.

This is another quick stop you can make during your trip along the Oregon Coast! We didn’t stop here for long, and I didn’t happen to take any photos, but it’s still worth checking out, even if it’s only for a few minutes!

one of the best Oregon road trip stops to add to your 10 day oregon road trip itinerary - Face Rock State Park, oregon

This gorgeous view is so perfect on a moody day like we got during our Oregon Coast road trip!

There is a short trail down to the beach, and it is perfect for exploring during low tide.

I didn’t take any photos here, and we didn’t stay for long. This stop would probably only take you about 10 minutes before you depart for Sister’s Rock.

Sisters Rock

One of the best Oregon road trip stops to add to your itinerary to have the best Oregon road trip! Sister's Rock, Oregon. A view on the beautiful Oregon Coast

Okay – this place is incredible!

It literally feels like you are in Scotland and has those highlands / Isle of Skye type of vibes.

This is an absolute must for your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary. Trust me; you will love it just as much as I did!

The views here are just spectacular!

You’ll see amazing coastal beaches, and it also features a cool sea cave that is worth checking out! Just whatever you do, don’t go inside. You’ll see why when you get there.

one of the best Oregon road trip stops on the Oregon Coast to add to your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary! John Dellenback trail features Oregon Sand Dunes which gives off amazing desert vibes

Now that we are halfway through the trip, you deserve a little break before spending a good portion of your day hiking the Sahara Desert!

Okay – I’m only kidding.

When you road trip Oregon you must add this incredible place to your itinerary! It sure does make you feel like you are in some desert in another country!

I have a lot more information about the Oregon Dunes here that you can check out to get all the information you need.

You can hike up to the dunes on John Dellenback trail, or you can do the full trial all the way to the beach and spend some time on the beach.

One thing I wish I had done was rent a dune buggy and drove around on the dunes! Now that would have made for an extra fun experience. Add that to your itinerary if you love that kind of thing!

Make sure to add the Oregon Dunes to your Oregon bucket list because it is truly so diverse. It is different from the rest of this US State, making it one of the best Oregon road trip stops !

a beautiful view of Heceta Head Lighthouse. You need to add this lighthouse to your Oregon road trip itinerary

This is a really gorgeous Lighthouse to add to your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary!

It’s roughly 1.5 hours north of Bandon, so you’ll have a little bit of a drive in the morning.

Many people actually say that Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most stunning lighthouses in the world!

There is a viewpoint a few miles south of the Lighthouse parking lot where you can see the stunning lighthouse from afar.

Devils Churn

a view of devil's churn during the low tide. A popular destination on the Oregon coast road trip

Devil’s Churn is known as one of Oregon’s natural wonders.

You won’t need too much time here, but going during high tide, if you can, will give you a better experience since that’s when the Devil’s Churn puts on the best show!

You can’t do the Oregon Coast road trip without stopping at Thor’s Well! Anything with Thor’s name in it is worth stopping at. (I just rolled my eyes at myself)

This is another stop that is best to do during the high tide if you can since, like Devil’s Churn, that’s when Thor puts on his best show for you.

It’s a relatively short and easy hike down, and the trail features some stairs to get down to the coast.

Read about Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn on my Oregon Coast guide for more information.

Stop in Yachats and spend a few hours exploring this cute, enchanting coastal town.

I wish I had made more time to explore this cute little place!

It’s the perfect little town to explore when you road trip Oregon!

Visit the Chubby Lil Mermaid Bakery

If you’re doing the Oregon Coast 101 road trip, you must stop at this little bakery!

The Chubby Lil Mermaid Bakery has to be the cutest bakery I have ever been to!

The theme is mermaids (duh, Krista), and they have such tasty treats there, from baked goods to small meals to go.

They also have some adorable souvenirs there. It’s definitely worth a quick stop to grab a snack on your Oregon road trip adventure!

So I didn’t actually do this, but I really wanted to!

The only reason I didn’t is that we only heard it existed after we passed by, and we had our whole day planned out!

So  you’re welcome !

Now you know, and you should definitely add it to your list of activities for your road trip to Oregon!

You can read more about it in my Oregon Coast blog post !

a view of Yaquina Head Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, this is one of the prettiest lighthouses and you need to add it to your 10 day oregon road trip itinerary

This incredible lighthouse is another stunning spot to add to your Oregon Coast road trip!

It is about 45 minutes north of Yachats.

There are a few areas you can park to see the lighthouse, but the easiest is right at the Visitor’s Center parking lot.

There is also a super cool interpretive exhibit and a souvenir shop you can check out.

Below the lighthouse, you can find Cobble Beach, which is also a really popular spot among tourists.

Devils Punchbowl

This is a really cool spot that I didn’t get to make it to since the parking area was packed full for the long weekend.

It’s a location popular with surfers, tourists, and whale watching.

Here you can explore tidepools on the northern part of Devil’s Punchbowl and check out the Devil’s Punchbowl itself.

Drive just 30 minutes north to Lincoln City and spend the next 3 nights here. There are great hotel and AirBnB options at all price ranges.

Whale Watching in Depoe Bay

If you are into this sort of thing, this is a great activity to add to your Oregon road trip itinerary!

I went whale watching in Nova Scotia years back, and it was an incredible experience. I got to see a ton of dolphins.

I didn’t book it in the plans for my trip to Oregon, though, but I know it would have been an enjoyable activity to do in Oregon!

I’ve heard that Depoe Bay is one of the best spots on the Oregon Coast to go whale watching!

If I hadn’t gone whale watching before, I definitely would have added it to my itinerary! It’s an excellent option for an activity when you road trip Oregon.

God’s Thumb via The Knoll

one of the best Oregon road trip stops to add to your 10 day oregon road trip itinerary. A view of the path to God's Thumb via the Knoll Trail

The Knoll is a stunning hike that takes you to the absolutely stunning God’s Thumb.

It’s a longer hike being, about 7km long and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It’s a tough trail, but the view at the end is worth the hike.

I’ll judge you hard if you don’t add this hike to your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary! (only kidding – but seriously, you should do it!)

Read more about it in my Oregon Coast blog post here !

Each of the destinations for this day are super close to Lincoln City, making it the perfect home base for these last few days.

a view on the beach at Hug Point on the oregon coast road trip! Add this to your itinerary for when you road trip oregon

This is a stunning, expansive sandy beach with beautiful views.

Here you can picnic, explore caves, see a little waterfall and more.

Be sure to go here during the low tide to get the most out of your experience!

Cape Kiwanda features a 1.6km loop trail that takes you for an adventure to some really stunning viewpoints!

It says it only takes about 30 minutes to complete the trail, but as always, give yourself some extra time!

It’s another short stop to add to your Oregon itinerary!

This beach is super cool as it features a dark, manmade tunnel that leads you to Tunnel Beach.

You have to park at Oceanside Beach to get to this area, and you will find a path down to the beach.

To get to the tunnel, hang a right on the beach, and you will see a tunnel that passes through the coastal rock.

Be careful walking through the tunnel, as there are a ton of branches and rocks.

a view of the iconic haystack rock, Cannon beach during sunset. This is one of the most popular stops on the Oregon Coast road trip you need to add to your itinerary to have the best Oregon road trip

This will likely be your final stop during your Oregon Coast 101 road trip! 

Cannon Beach is an iconic tourist destination and probably the most beautiful beach on the Oregon Coast. So you  must  add this to your Oregon road trip itinerary!

The most important tip I can tell you is to go for sunrise! There won’t be as many people there, although sunset is a whole other vibe, but hundreds, if not thousands, are on the beach during that time.

People are drawn to this beach to view the iconic Haystack Rock, which is such an incredible sight!

Even though there are a gazillion people here, it’s still worth stopping.

It’s a definite Oregon bucket list destination, and you must add it to your itinerary for when you road trip Oregon!

10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Map

I’ve put together a map of the 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary so you can visualize where everything is and how far apart it all is!

This map will help you plan the best Oregon road trip!

How many days do you need to visit Oregon?

I personally needed more than 10 days on my road trip to Oregon. There is surprisingly so much to do and see for such a small US state!

A 10 day Oregon road trip will give you plenty of time to see many of the most beautiful places in Oregon, plus do a few activities.

If you have less than 10 days, you’ll miss out on many beautiful places, but there is no necessary amount of time you need to explore Oregon.

I could have easily spent 3 weeks just driving around and exploring. I would have loved to do more of the hikes in Smith Rock State Park, Mount Hood, do some hikes around Crater Lake, and see more of the stunning waterfalls.

Even with 10 days, there will be so much of Oregon left untouched, but either way, it’ll be worth it, and you’ll love it.

How many days do you need for the Oregon Coast?

a view from the painted cove trail in Painted Hills, Oregon

3-5 days along the Oregon coast is plenty of time. There are a ton of stops, but many of the stops are quick viewpoints that you stop at for a short amount of time before moving on to the next.

You can get so much done within these 3-5 days on the Oregon Coast, but it also depends on if you plan any activities like horseback riding, whale watching, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, renting Dune Buggies, chilling by the beach or whatever you choose to do.

What is the best time of year to go to the Oregon Coast?

So now you’re wondering, “What is the best month to visit Oregon? “

The Summer months are definitely the most popular to visit Oregon. You’ll get the best weather, but many tourists flock to the most popular sights.

Summer is perfect for visiting the beaches, hiking, camping and boating.

Autumn is a beautiful time of year, although it tends to rain a bit more. On the bright side, there will be fewer tourists than during the Summer, and you’ll get some really gorgeous fall colours!

Autumn is also an excellent time for hiking and camping.

hiking on the Painted Cove Hiking trail in Painted Hills, Oregon

Of course, it gets colder during the winter, but there are fewer tourists during this time, and it’s often described as being wet and chilly.

I went right at the end of August, with most of my trip being at the start of September, and it was an amazing time.

Places like Smith Rock State Park and Painted Hills were scorching, being around 35℃. The next day when we got to the coast, it was a whole 20 degrees colder, only 15!

So if you go, make sure you pack clothing for cooler weather and extremely hot weather.

What is the best road trip in Oregon?

There is no specific “best” road trip in Oregon, but if you start in Portland and make a loop down, east, up the Oregon Coast, and back to Portland, you will hit many of the highlights that Oregon has to offer.

You can also go the other way if you prefer, starting in Portland, heading down the Oregon Coast, west and back up in a loop as well.

Either way, this loop is perfect for making the best Oregon road trip itinerary!

You will love it even if you only have time to do the Oregon Coast road trip!

But if you only do the coast, you’ll miss out on the many beautiful waterfalls and mountains, which, in my opinion, are breathtaking!

What is the prettiest part of the Oregon Coast?

a view of the haystack rock on Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast road trip. Cannon beach during sunrise on a moody day

Seriously! You gotta just do it all!

Okay, but in all seriousness, I would choose to do the Southern Oregon Coast over the Northern Oregon Coast since more of my favourite places are in the South.

The North does have Cannon Beach, though, which is a must for your Oregon Coast road trip!

In the South, you’ve got places like Sister’s Rock, Natural Bridges, the Oregon Sand Dunes on John Dellenback Trail, Whaleshead Beach, and Indian Sands!

We flew through the Northern Oregon Coast, not because we didn’t enjoy it, but because the stops were much shorter. I must also admit that I found the stops in the South a lot more breathtaking.

Conclusion: 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

And that’s my 10 day Oregon road trip Itinerary that I’ve put together to help you plan the best Oregon road trip!

I wanted to make this guide as in-depth as possible for you because I know how hard it can be to plan a trip sometimes, especially when there is so much to see!

Which place are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comment section below!

Thank you for stopping by, and happy adventuring ♡

Enjoyed this post? Pin it for late r on Pinterest

the most epic oregon road trip itinerary for when you road trip oregon pinterest pin

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Wow! Such a beautiful place! We’ll have to go someday! ♥️

The Van Escape

The Epic Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

This Oregon Road Trip Itinerary will help you live an epic and fabulous adventure through this glorious Pacific Northwest state. Mountains, waterfalls, river gorges, dense forests, a fairy-tale coast, wineries, hot springs, wonderful cities, ghost towns, and the USA’s deepest lake. Oregon impresses with its attractiveness and variety of landscapes. We show you must-see stops and things to do. Oregon is also a picture-perfect state, so we tell you the best photo spots to catch its wild natural beauty. We give you also hints on where to stay and what to pack. So, check our Epic Oregon Road Trip Itinerary with lots of tips and photos to prepare for an adventure.

oregon road trip itinerary

Oregon Road Trip Itinerary – Introduction

We fell in love with Oregon on our first visit to the state and have been to it several times. And we admire this state because of its incredible beauty and variety. Moreover, we love to photograph waterfalls in Oregon, mountains, covered bridges, and original architecture. We have developed this itinerary based on our own experiences. We show you the places you should not miss during the Oregon Road Trip.

How many days do I need for Oregon Road Trip?

Oregon is a beautiful state, so the longer the road trip you plan, the better. Our itinerary includes a 10-day Oregon road trip that begins and ends in Portland . A 10-day Oregon road trip will allow you to enjoy this state, see its greatest attractions, and take great photos. But at the end of this article, you will find tips on what to add to your itinerary if you have 14 days . We also tell you how to shorten this plan if you only have 7 days to travel and want to see as many places in Oregon as possible.

Below you will find our plan at a glance. Later, each day is described in detail with the itineraries, road suggestions, driving time, the most interesting stops, and attractions. We assure you that you fall in love with this state after seeing these places and want to return to Oregon.

The Epic Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Overview

Day 1. Arriving at Portland and exploring Portland. Day 2 . Driving to Mount Hood and hiking in the Mount Hood area. Day 3. Sightseeing of Shaniko Ghost Town and driving to Sisters. Day 4. Exploring Sisters and Bend – Willamette National Forest area. Day 5. Driving to Crater Lake National Park and Umpqua National Forest. Day 6. Exploring Crater Lake National Park. Day 7. Driving to Oregon Coast and Oregon Coast Road Trip. Day 8. Oregon Coast Rod Trip – exploring Oregon Coast. Day 9. Exploring Oregon Coast and return to Portland. Day 10. Exploring Portland and Columbia River Gorge/Multnomah Falls.

Oregon road trip - crater lake np

What Should You Know About Oregon Before You Go On A Road Trip?

  • Oregon is a state where you  refuel your car without leaving it . At the gas station, you are served by a gas station employee . Refueling by yourself in Oregon carries a fine of up to $500. It’s similar only in New Jersey. It is worth remembering this when planning your Oregon road trip. This rule does not only apply to motorcyclists.
  • There is  no sales tax in Oregon . Therefore, it is a state worth visiting, if only for shopping. Oregon is one of only five states (alongside New Hampshire, Montana, Delaware, and Alaska) where the price you see on the product is what you pay at the checkout. So, it’s worth shopping in Oregon. The best shopping in Portland.

What is the best time for Oregon Road Trip?

Oregon is attractive all year round. It all depends on your favorite outdoor activities and the way you travel. But this Oregon road trip itinerary is fully usable during the summer and fall months from May to the end of October. Some of the places recommended to visit are inaccessible in winter due to closed roads. But we tell you which roads are closed in winter so that you can also adapt your itinerary to the winter months.

Summer and Fall months are also the best for all our suggested activities. Pleasant weather will enable longer hikes in the fresh air. The day is also long, so you will see more places and drive longer distances. However, in the high season, most tourists will certainly be in July and August. Therefore, if you are going during these months, we suggest that you start your sightseeing in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Oregon Road Trip Map

Please, take a paper map for your Oregon road trip. You will need it. Believe us, very often, there is no phone coverage, and you must use the traditional map. We love modern apps, but they have become useless in places like mountains, deep forests, and challenging hikes. So, a paper map is best when no cell service exists. We use Benchmark Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas . It is very informative and detailed. Thanks to this atlas, our trips were more interesting, as we could quickly learn what was nearby and plan our route. It’s also a useful alternative to GPS maps when traveling.

  • Atlases: Every Benchmark atlas is specially designed for enthusiasts of outdoor activities. All atlases have Benchmarks exclusive Landscape Maps with large easy-to-read and page overlap, and a useful GPS grid. The categorized Recreation Guide makes planning your next adventure a breeze. The Recreation Maps have public land ownership shown as color tints, and most titles have hunting unit names and boundaries

Where to stay during the Oregon Road Trip?

It all depends on your needs, travel style, and budget. We traveled both by car and slept in lodges/hotels and by an RV, and stayed at campsites. Therefore,  we recommend specific lodging options for each day of the trip—only those we checked and were satisfied with—hotels and RV campgrounds for each location .

But no matter what you decide,  book your accommodation well in advance . You will get the best prices on booking.com and TripAdvisor .

If you plan camping in Oregon, check our Car Camping Checklist.

What to pack for the Oregon Road Trip?

Our journey leads through the mountains, dense forests, waterfalls, hot springs, and heavenly beaches. So, you should pack properly. Oregon’s climate is temperate but fairly humid, with frequent rainfall. In the mountains, in forests, the humidity is felt. So always be ready for rain. Please check our detailed  Day Hiking Packing List  to see what to pack for hiking trails. Furthermore, check our  Road Trip Packing List Essentials  to make your Oregon Road Trip safe and comfortable. The most important things you should pack for this Oregon road trip are:

Trekking Shoes & Hiking Poles

  • Waterproof hiking shoes with good grip are a must during an Oregon road trip. Stones and paths might be slippery even if you choose easy hikes from our suggested list. Oregon is full of stunning waterfalls, rivers and dense forests. After the rain, even on easy paths, there can be a lot of mud. We love Keen shoes, which are made in Portland, Salomon , and Merrel boots.
  • Hiking sandals are also handy, especially if you are planning a trip in the summer months. But they should have a good grip so that you don’t slip on stones. You will use them not only on the beach but also when visiting hot springs or waterfalls. Our favorites are Kenn covered toe . Thanks to this, in the summer months, they are perfect for hiking. The cliffs on the coast are steep and slippery, so you need a good sole.
  • Trekking poles . We use them because they relieve the knees, spine and facilitate the hike. During intensive sightseeing, they are always useful. Thanks to hiking poles, we can make more hikes and see astounding places without feeling tired. Agnes uses lightweight, foldable Black Diamond Trekking Poles . But we can also recommend Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles , which are affordable but very durable and comfortable. How to choose and use trekking poles you can check in this post .

  • 100% CARBON FIBER: Foxelli Trekking Poles (also known as Nordic walking poles or hiking sticks) are made from 100% carbon fiber material, which is known for its incredible lightness. Each pole weighs only 7.6 oz, allowing you to move quicker and faster while exerting less energy. Carbon fiber is also shock-absorbent and significantly minimizes the impact on joints. Durable and sturdy, these walking sticks are designed to withstand even the most challenging hikes or backpacking trips.

Backpack & Layers

  • Daypack . Is a must-have for daily hiking and sightseeing. We prefer comfortable Osprey backpacks with hip and chest belts, which make hiking much easier. How to choose a perfect daypack you can read in this post . It would be best if you packed, among other things, a  large supply of water ,   hiking snacks , additional clothes (depending on the season), and most important: a  first aid kit  and  hiking and road maps .
  • Due to the epidemic situation, do not forget to pack a travel-size hand sanitizer , and of course, good quality Face Masks with a filter . Buy more before your trip. Not everywhere is easy to buy masks with filters. We have to get used to the fact that they become something normal. And we should take care of our and others’ safety.
  • Waterproof Rain Poncho is very often useful during trips around Oregon.
  • Layers. A warm sweatshirt and long pants will surely be useful even during summer hiking. Check what we always take on one-day hikes .

Oregon road trip - Mt Hood from Portland

Day 1 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Arriving in Portland and exploring Portland

Arriving in portland.

Our Oregon road trip begins in the capital of the state – Portland. The city has an international airport, so it’s the most convenient way to get there. Check flight offers at CheapOair or Skyscanner . CheapOair is one of the fastest-growing online travel companies in the US, so they have great deals. Moreover, if you plan to rent a car for your Oregon road trip, compare the prices on RentalCars.com . We have always used the Alamo rental company and can recommend it. If you plan an RV road trip (we made our last Oregon road trip in a camper), check the offers on RVshare . It offers the largest selection of RV rentals across all 50 states in the US. In our opinion is also the best idea for road trips during the pandemic.

Lodging in Portland

For this Oregon road trip itinerary, we recommend you book 2 nights in Portland – the first and the last . Of course, you can modify the plan to your needs.

During our few trips, we stayed in the  Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center . We really enjoyed staying here. Our room was clean, and it had a lot of space, the service was great. We also stayed in the  Mark Spencer Hotel , which is fabulous, in the city’s heart. But check below on the Deals finder the best offers.

During the last trip with the motorhome, we stopped at Portland Fairview RV Park .

Sightseeing Portland

Portland is a delightful city, so we’ve put together a detailed Portland Itinerary . What do we suggest you see during the day after your arrival? Start from Downtown Portland and the river waterfront loop. It’s a 2.6-mile loop that runs right along the Willamette. There are 12 fabulous bridges over the Willamette River. If you have time, visit Portland Japanese Garden and go to the Pittock Mansion situated 1,000 feet above the city. For more tips and recommendations on what to see and where to eat, you can check in our post .

bridges in Portland

Day 2 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Driving to Mount Hood and hiking in the Mount Hood area

Drive to timberline lodge & mount hood.

Take US-26 W and drive to the Mount Hood area. The drive will take you about 2 hours, and it is a scenic route.

Lodging in the Mt Hood area

We suggest 1 night in the Mount Hood area in this Oregon Road Trip Itinerary.

Timberline Lodge is a historic beauty hotel near the magnificent Mount Hood. Moreover, the psychological horror “The Shining” from 1980, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was shot at the Timberline Lodge. You can check our photos from this fabulous and thrilling filming location here. If you can, stay overnight at Timberline Lodge. If the place is busy, choose one of the nearby accommodations. Nearby are Best Western Mt. Hood Inn , The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort .

Hiking in the Mount Hood area

road trip oregon

No matter where you stay for the night, head to Timberline Lodge and see this fabulous scenery. Moreover, they have great restaurants where you can have lunch or dinner. Finally, the Timberline Lodge parking lot provides access to many trails on the flanks of Mount Hood. So, you can choose one or two hikes in Mount Hood National Forest .

  • Mountaineer Trail Loop Hike is a great hike because there is such an easy road that goes so high on the mountain. The distance is 2.7 miles. The easiest hiking opportunity is to stroll in any direction you feel like.
  • Zigzag Overlook Hike is also easy to hike. The distance is 4.4 miles. You will see the alpine areas of Mount Hood’s south side. You’ll pass alpine and subalpine meadows to reach an overlook over the deeply gouged Zigzag River Canyon, with the craggy ramparts of Mount Hood above.
  • Paradise Park from Timberline Lodge Hike is a longer but fabulous hike. The distance is 12.1 miles, and it isn’t easy. Is a classic mountain trek. In addition to the mountain vistas and wildflowers, the route passes several waterfalls and offers unique views of the high country south and west of Mount Hood.

Day 3 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Sightseeing of Shaniko Ghost Town and driving to Sisters

Drive to shaniko ghost town and explore it.

From Mt Hood, take OR-216 and in Maupin, take Bakeoven Road. It’s about 77 miles and 1 hour 45 minutes driving to Shaniko. You need about 2-3 hours to explore Shaniko. From 1903 Shaniko gained the nickname “Wool Capital of the World.” You will find an old railway station, antique items, and wooden architecture from over 100 years ago. The town has an amazing history. You can read more about it and check more our photos in our post- Shaniko Ghost Town .

road trip oregon

Drive to Sisters

From Shaniko, take US-97 S and OR-126 W to Sisters. It’s 84 miles and about 1 hour and 40 minutes driving.

Sisters is a fabulous town, surrounded by mountains and forests. We detailed described its attractions in post Things to do in Sisters . We also described interesting routes in the area there. Situated in the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Range, Sisters and Bend are perfect for holidays. Moreover, it’s a great idea to spend here also winter vacation if you like skiing.

Lodging in Sisters or Bend

We suggest 2 nights at Sisters during your Oregon Road Trip. The area is fabulous. However, it might be difficult to stay overnight in the summer. Therefore it is also worth considering the nearby Bend. It’s about 25 minutes from Sisters. It is a larger city and has a well-developed accommodation and catering base. It’s worth visiting Bend for sure. So, check the lodging option on booking.com and book your stay in advance.

road trip oregon

Best Western   Sisters Oregon is our favorite one. It is a small, charming Ponderosa Lodge with 48 oversized guest rooms renovated in a country theme. Tasty breakfasts and friendly service. 

If you need RV camping, the best RV park in the area is  Bend / Sisters Garden RV Resort . But you have to  book it well in advance . It’s closest to the Sisters, located in a beautiful setting, and it’s hard to get a spot, especially in high season.

Hotel rates in Bend are much more affordable than in Sisters, so consider this place for optimizing your holiday budget.

Day 4 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Exploring Sisters and Bend – Willamette National Forest area

We suggest you actively explore the Willamette National Forest area on this day. Below are three of our favorite hikes. They are not long, so it is possible to make them in one day. Or you can choose the ones that suit you best. Prepare some more snacks and lunch.

Sunrise or early morning hike at Sparks Lake

Sparks Lake is 49 miles and an hour’s drive from Sisters. You have to drive through Bend. So, take US-20 E to Bend and turn onto Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. The scenery is breathtaking. If you like sunrises – they look fabulous in this place. But you can also go there during the day for a walk. This road may be closed in winter.

Oregon road trip itinerary - Sparks Lake

Proxy Falls Hike & McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway

Oregon road trip Itinerary - Proxy Falls

Proxy Falls, AKA Lower Proxy Falls, is a dazzling cascade waterfall hidden in the Three Sisters Wilderness. It’s near McKenzie Pass and McKenzie River in the Willamette National Forest. From Sisters, it is only 28 miles and approximately 50 minutes drive via OR-242 W. For more photos and tips, see our Proxy Falls Hike post . The best idea is to combine this hike with The McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway. Oregon Route 242, known as a portion of the McKenzie Highway, takes you on a journey through a land of contrasts. You’ll encounter lush forests, crystal-clear lakes, and lava fields on the west side of the Cascades. Stop at the  Dee Wright Observatory . In our opinion, Route 242 is one of the most scenics, so it’s a must in Oregon Road Trip Itinerary. This road is closed in winter.

Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike

Tamolitch Falls, also known as Blue Pool due to its amazing blue color of the water, is a popular hiking spot in  Willamette National Forest , Oregon. The deep turquoise and stunning clarity of the Blue Pool make this place unforgettable. The approximate hike time is 1 hour and 30 minutes one way. From Sisters stay on US-20 West. Then turn onto OR-126 E for 10.8 miles. Turn right at a sign for Trailbridge Campground/Blue Pool. You must cross a bridge and turn right onto gravel road NF-730. After about a third of a mile, park along the right side of the road. Check our detailed hike description, tips, and photos in this post .

oregon road trip itinerary -Tamolitch Blue Pool

Day 5 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Driving to Crater Lake National Park via Umpqua Hot Springs

Saok in umpqua hot springs.

From Sisters is 115 miles and 2 hours 15 minutes driving via US-97 N to Crater Lake National Park . But we suggest you take a bit off course and soak into one of Oregon’s best hot springs – Umpqua Hot Springs.

oregon road trip itinerary

So if you like hot springs, take from Sisters US-97 S and OR-138 W to get to Umpqua Hot Springs. It’s 2 hours 45 min driving (143 miles). They are located in Umpqua National Forest. This set of 7 geothermal pools sits right on the edge of a rock face, spilling 108-degree water into the North Umpqua River below. The view is breathtaking. There is a short hike to get to the hot springs. It should take you 20 minutes to get to the pools. For more photos, hike & trailhead descriptions, hot springs etiquette, you can check in our Ultimate Guide to Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon .

Driving to Crater Lake National Park and Lodging option in the area

The Oregon road trip itinerary would not be complete without a visit to a fairy-tale volcanic Crater Lake. You are less than an hour’s drive to Crater Lake National Park from the hot springs, depending on where you are staying. Try to reach the sunset because they are spectacular above Crater Lake. It is the only national park in Oregon. Moreover, it is the deepest lake in the USA with the clearest and bluest water in America. We prepared a detailed guide to this fabulous place with tips on what to do and photos.

If you plan your Oregon road trip in May or the beginning of June, check the weather on the NPS website . Sometimes in May, there is still a lot of snow. You can visit the park, but some roads might be closed.

Lodging option

We suggest 2 nights at the Crater Lake NP area. Crater Lake Lodge   is a historical lodge inside the Park. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to book it. It’s pretty expensive. Moreover, it’s open only from May – September, filling up guests quickly.

But Chiloquin is only 8.5 miles from Crater Lake National Park, so check accommodation there. 

If you are looking for a campground Diamond Lake Resort & RV Park  is a great place to relax. It’s only 4 miles to Crater Lake park entrance, so the location is perfect. Book in advance.

But if you plan a winter trip, 1 night in Crater Lake should be enough because some roads and trails are closed. So, 1 day for sightseeing in winter will be optimal.

Sunset at Crater Lake and Crater Lake Rim Scenic Drive

Crater Lake looks great before and just after sunset. The light is the warmest then. The water surface is flickering. The historic  Crater Lake Rim Drive is a 33-mile (53-km) long road , which offers breathtaking and panoramic vistas of the lake, forests, and meadows. Along the way, there are 30 overlooks with ample car parking, which provide opportunities to stop for views, admire it, relax, taking photos. We have listed the best viewpoints in Crater Lake in this post .

oregon road trip itinerary - crater lake

Day 6 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Exploring Crater Lake National Park

oregon road trip itinerary - crater lake

On this day of the Oregon Road Trip Itinerary, we focus on exploring Crater Lake National Park’s beauty. If you can do it, get up for the sunrise. The view is worth your effort. Have a picnic at one of the viewpoints. Take one or two trails. We describe 7 Best Day Hikes in Crater Lake National Park  from easy to strenuous here . It’s worth visiting Rim Village Visitor Center and Crater Lake Lodge.

Moreover, check if there are lake cruises available. There are two selections for a boat tour: a standard lake cruise which includes a 2-hour tour around the lake. The second choice is a Wizard Island tour with a shuttle.  Check the updates for 2021 on the official ticket  booking page .

Day 7 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Driving to Oregon Coast and Exploring Oregon Coast

From this day, we start the Oregon coast road trip itinerary. The coast of Oregon is very varied. Rocky, sandy, covered with dense forests, often shrouded in fog. Look carefully and you will see seals or sea lions basking on the rocks. Moreover, you can encounter coyotes, roe deer, and deer on the slopes of rocks and in coastal forests. As well as gulls, hawks and other birds.

oregon road trip itinerary

Drive to Oregon Coast

Start driving early in the morning. You have almost a 4 1/2 hours drive to the Oregon coast.

Stop at the Girardet Vineyards

If you have more time and are a wine lover, you can change the route a bit and make a short stop on the way to the coast. You can stop at Tenmile in Girardet Winery and Wine Cellar . The place is unique. You will not only taste and buy excellent wines here, but you will also meet wonderful people who create this winery with a passion. Moreover, if you have more time for your Oregon Road Trip, consider staying in their fabulous Chardonnay Chalet at the Vineyard . The address of Girardet Winery is 895 Reston Road, Roseburg, OR 97471. From Crater Lake, drive via OR-62 W to get there. It’s 119 miles and 2 hours 30 minutes driving. They are open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., year-round. Moreover, they are RV friendly and Family & Pet Friendly.

oregon road trip itinerary - girardet vineyards

Stop at the Cape Blanco Lighthouse

Cape Blanco Lighthouse is the first fabulous stop at the coast in this Oregon Road Trip itinerary. To get there directly from the Crater Lake NP, take OR-42 E and OR-138 E. It’s 205 miles and 4 hours 20 minutes driving. If you are going from Girardet Winery, take OR-42 W and US-101 S. It’s 90 miles and 2 hours of driving.

Drive to Cape Arago Lighthouse and lodging

The next stop is at Cape Arago Lighthouse. It’s 53 miles and a 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Cape Blanco. Take the US – 101 N. Cape Arago is stunning to get there. Therefore, we suggest accommodation in this area. So, Book 1 night here. You can find Best Western Holiday Hotel in the area.

But, if you are traveling by RV, book an advance spot in Sunset Bay State Park .

oregon road trip itinerary

Exploring Cape Arago

We like this place because, in a small area, you have as many as three great state parks offering stunning views of the Oregon Coast.

  • Cape Arago State Park
  • Shore Acres State Park
  • Sunset Bay State Park

So, start this afternoon and evening by visiting each of these parks and taking at least a short walk along the coast. Wait for the sunset.

oregon road trip itinerary

Day 8 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Oregon Coast Rod Trip – exploring Oregon Coast

It’s another intense day exploring the Oregon coast and a lot of driving. Therefore, start your day early. Pack some snacks for the road.

Drive and stop at Umpqua River Lighthouse

The next interesting stop we suggest doing in our Oregon road trip itinerary is Umpqua River Lighthouse. It’s 45 minutes (32 miles) from Cape Arago via Cape Arago Hwy and US-101 N.

Stop at Heceta Head Lighthouse Scenic Viewpoints

From Umpqua River, take US-101 N and drive about 40 miles (55 minutes) to the next scenic viewpoint: Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Stop at Rockaway Beach

Next stop during this Oregon Coast road trip plan at Rockaway Beach. It’s 122 miles and about 2 hours and 45 minutes driving via Oregon Coast Hwy.

wildlife oregon

Sunset at Cannon Beach and lodging

Rockaway Beach is just a 40-minute drive and 26 miles from Oregon’s famous Cannon Beach. Try to get there at sunset.

We suggest booking 1 night in this beautiful area. If you are looking for something special, you can choose one of the exclusive beachfront hotels as Surfsand Resort or Hallmark Resort .

If you’re traveling in a motorhome, a great place to spend the night is Cannon Beach RV Resort . Book it in advance. A great choice is also Seaside RV Resort .

oregon wildlife

Day 9 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Exploring Oregon Coast and returning to Portland

This is the penultimate day of our Oregon Road Trip Itinerary. We suggest you focus on the rest of the Oregon coast. You can stay in Cannon Beach and relax on the beach. Except for Cannon Beach is worth visiting Ecola State Park and taking Clatsop Loop Trail to see Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.

Or you can continue to go north. You can drive to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and Astoria (it’s about 40 minutes from Cannon Beach). If you decide to go through Astoria, visit Astoria Pier and Marina, Cathedral Tree Trail, and Astoria-Megler Bridge. Moreover, you can check Goonies’ film locations. And then, from Astoria, drive via US-30 E and I-5 S and return to Portland. It’s 105 miles and 2 hours of driving.

If you have more time, you can go shopping in Portland. Remember that there is no sales tax in the state of Oregon, so it’s worth shopping here. It is much cheaper. For more things to do, you can check in our detailed 3 days in Portland Itinerary .

oregon road trip itinerary

Day 10 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Exploring Portland and Columbia River Gorge/Multnomah Falls

road trip oregon

We don’t know how much time you have on the last day of your Oregon road trip, so modify it according to your needs. If you do not have too much time on day 10, transfer your visit to Multnomah Falls and Columbia River George to day 9 or 1 of the Oregon Road Trip Itinerary.

Multnomah Falls is an icon of the Pacific Northwest. So, it’s worth your visit. It’s only 40 minute drive from Portland. More photos, tips, and directions we described in a separate article about Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge .

How to shorten this Oregon Road Trip Itinerary to 7 days?

If you only have 7 days for your Oregon road trip and you would like to see all the places we write about, we suggest the following solution. Book 1 instead of 2 nights in Sisters / Bend. Remove Tamolitch Blue Pool Hike from the plan. Book 1 instead of 2 nights at Crater Lake NP. Make only a scenic drive loop and stop at the park’s best viewpoints. Finally, shorten your stay on the Oregon coast.

How to extend this Oregon Road Trip Itinerary to 14 days?

If you have 14 days for your Oregon Road Trip, you can, of course, spend more time in each place we describe. Depending on your preferences, you can spend more time in the mountains or at the seaside.

Add to your Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Alvord Desert and Hot Springs

But you can also visit other interesting places . One of our favorites we suggest adding to your Oregon road trip itinerary is Alvord Desert with Alvord Desert Hot Springs and Crystal Crane Hot Springs . If you want to see the desert and desert hot springs, adding them to your Oregon road trip itinerary is best after visiting Sisters and Bend. So, take US-20 E and OR-78 E to get there. It’s about 260 miles and 4,5 hours of driving. Moreover, check our tips and photos in this post to prepare well for this fabulous adventure. Along the way to the desert, near Burns, you will also have the Crane Hot Springs Resort. We stayed in it for the night, and it was perfect! So, check our reviews and photos here .

oregon road trip itinerary

Add to your Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Covered Bridges of Oregon

Another option is adding some covered bridges to your Oregon road trip itinerary. We have described the most beautiful Oregon-covered bridges in this post . It’s best to add them to your Oregon Road Trip Itinerary on your way to Crater Lake NP. Detailed GPS coordinates you will in our post .

We hope this article helped you plan your Oregon Road Trip. If you like our Oregon Road Trip Itinerary, please share it! We wish you a fabulous Oregon adventure!

Oregon Road Trip - covered bridges

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road trip oregon

Agnes Stabinska is a writer, photographer, and co-founder of The Van Escape. She loves wildlife, landscape photography, and outdoor adventures, especially hiking, camping, and exploring U.S. national parks. Although she has traveled to many countries for almost 20 years, her favorite places are Alaska, the American Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest, which she often visits and explore with her partner, Chris. Their travel tips, itineraries, and recommendations will help you get away from it all and plan a wonderful vacation.

15 Comments

The only place I have done in the Pacific North West is Cape Flattery and Seattle and as an outdoor person, I got a lot to do in Washington, Montana and also Oregon. I have always dreamt of going to Oregon and try and hit up as much as I can including the Pacific Crest trail. You have giving me more ideas on your list here including those waterfalls! I might wait until my daughters have got a bit older so we can do outdoorsy stuff together. (living in the UK sucks sometimes when all the amazing nature stuff in the US is on the west coast!) 😛 

Well I guess I would have been $500 without reading this article. I’m not used to states where they fill up your gas tank for you! Ten days still doesn’t seem like long enough to see all of these sites. My gosh, the state is so beautiful especially Multnomah Falls, Crater Lake and the Hot Springs. I just want to see it all! Maybe I should move, lol.

You sure take some really good photographs. The waterfall  has given me new goals. And I would love to see Shaniko. In India, we don’t fill our own fuel, so that part is easy to handle. But the drive looks super in Oregon. 

So glad I came across this Oregon road trip itinerary! I am planning a road trip from Minnesota to the west coast for this upcoming summer and didn’t know where I should go…. Now I know, Oregon! I have been to Seattle and many spots in California, but haven’t been to any of these beautiful spots in Oregon.

I would like to visit Oregon, especially the coast and the hot springs. As of now, I prefer to stay away from Portland area. I think I read about Sister from your post before. Interesting town. So, by cross out Portland from the itinerary, 7 days will be enough for us.  

I have been wanting to visit Oregon for a while so this is a great comprehensive list of things you must see. I love all the nature and scenic views, so I’m sure a road trip is a great way to embrace that! Thank you for all the information!

I haven’t been able to do too many road trips till now except few when in Europe. This Oregon road trip certainly looks one I must do. Thanks for all the comprehensive information which would certainly help when we plan a trip there. Seeing the bridges of Oregon would be exciting too.

PNW has long been in my bucketlist! I can imagine doing it on a roadtrip with a campervan. The trails, nature and mountains that can be witnessed seem so amazing. I love your waterfall additions. This road trip will def be on our dream destinations one day.

Wow that’s interesting that in Oregon there are people to fill the fuel and doing on our own attracts a fine. Coming from India this is common but in Australia we have to do it on our own. Anyway I have never been to Oregon and this road trip definitely seems epic and the pictures look awesome. I will keep this itinerary in mind when I plan a trip in future.

Wow, what a great comprehensive guide to visiting Oregon! I’ve always wanted to visit Crater Lake and now I have even more places to add to my list. There really is something special about the Pacific Northwest, it’s such a gorgeous area.

Ooh saving this. What a fab looking itinerary. I have travelled extensively around the US but not been around Portland and Oregon yet. Keep hearing good things. May have to wait a while before returning to the States, but this trip will be high on my list!

What a great Oregon road trip itinerary! Yes, I would add more time at the vineyards, but that’s just me! I would also love to just sit out and watch the seal & sea lions! I think I would also really enjoy visiting the Crane Hot Springs Resort! 

Truly Oregon is such a pretty state. We’ve done all those you mentioned here. Perhaps more days for Bend, Painted Hills, and caves of Oregon!

Love the ghost town you mentioned and the wineries you included! so cool!

This was one very detailed itinerary for a road trip in Oregon. I don’t think I’ve seen anything that comes close to offering this level of information for a holiday idea. The photos you used are amazing as well. If I live in the US, I would definitely try this road trip out

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The Ultimate Oregon Road Trip: Itinerary Inspiration and Must-See Stops

last Updated: May 17, 2021 bend cannon beach crater lake mt hood oregon portland road trip

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Are you ready to be blown away by shimmering lakes, snowy mountain tops, and enough craft beer to last a lifetime? Get ready for an Oregon road trip, my Pacific-Northwest-craving friends. Sharing tons of details below to get you started planning your trip to the Oregon coast and beyond!

Just last year I had never visited Oregon before. Yeah, yeah, shame on me (I kiiinda recently moved to the west coast so you’ll cut me some slack, yea?) ;p I visited for the first time last year, and let’s just say I’m a tad obsessed. I had heard Portland was kinda cool, and after one look at Crater Lake I knew I had to make it there sooner than later. Alas, my first few trips to Oregon were planned, and I’ve now found myself in the state 3 times within a ~6 month period (something that just NEVER happens).

Heading to Oregon and wondering what all the things to do in Crater Lake are?! Click through for the best hikes, best viewpoints, where to stay, and what to eat - exactly what you need to plan your own visit to Crater Lake!

So without further ado, I’m sharing my ideal Oregon road trip, from the quirkiness that is Portland south to the dazzling still water of Crater Lake and west to the allure that is the stunning Oregon coast.

Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Overview

  • Stop 1: Portland (2-3 days)
  • Stop 2: Columbia River Gorge/Multnomah Falls (1 day)
  • Stop 3: Mt. Hood (1 day)
  • Stop 4:  Silver Falls State Park (1 day)
  • Stop 5: Smith Rock State Park (½-1 day) 
  • Stop 6:  Painted Hills (½ day)
  • Stop 7: Bend (1-2 days)
  • Stop 8: Crater Lake (1-2 days)
  • Stop 9: Ashland (1 day)
  • Stop 10: Coos Bay / Southern Oregon Coast (1 day)
  • Stop 11: Newport, Tillamook, and Cannon Beach (1-2 days)
  • END: Portland

Over the course of the road trip, expect to drive approximately 24 hours (round trip) and around 1000 miles. You’ll notice on the map below that I haven’t included the drive from Portland to Silver Falls State Park (that’ll add another 2 hours or so to the time listed on the map), as well as the 1.5 hour drive back to Portland from Cannon Beach (limits of technology). In order to complete this Oregon road trip in a timely manner (a week to 10 days or so), you’ll be driving almost every day, with some being longer driving days than others. Plan accordingly and bring snacks! The time in the car doesn’t have to be absolutely horrible. :p

→ Read next: Top Tips for Long Car Trips // Long Road Trip Essentials

Planning an Oregon road trip? This post has everything you need, from where to stop, where to sleep, and top things to do in each place!

When to Visit Oregon

Like the rest of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon experiences four seasons. To be completely transparent (and as noted above), I visited these different spots in the state on a few different occasions. I visited Portland in early June, Crater Lake in early September, and Bend in the snowy winter months. Oregon is spectacular year round, but if you’re on the hunt for some sunshine and minimal precipitation, I’d recommend planning your Oregon road trip between the months of April and September.

The best month for visiting the Oregon Coast is typically September, as the summer months are usually pretty foggy. It’ll be the wettest throughout the state between November and March, and the warmest between June and September. The roads around Crater Lake typically don’t fully open to cars until July, so keep this in mind if you’re visiting prior!

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

If you have the luxury of picking exactly when to take your Oregon road trip, choose September! The weather is glorious – little to no rain, clear coastlines, and warm weather. Just like my home state of California, Oregon typically experiences an Indian Summer, which lasts until early-mid October.

Getting to Oregon (and Portland in particular)

First things first, if you’re not a resident of Oregon, you’ll of course need to get yourself there! Since PDX is a major international airport, it’s wise to start your Oregon road trip in Portland, as you’ll be able to find decently priced tickets from throughout the US, highly dependent on the airport you’re departing from. For reference, from SFO (San Francisco), I commonly see round trip tickets to PDX (Portland) for under $200, and many times under $150.

New Yorkers can fly to Portland for roughly $300 if bought far enough in advance. I swear by Skyscanner and Google Flights whenever searching for tickets, and more often times than not, find the cheapest prices on one of them. The ability to track prices (and get email notifications when the price drops) is top notch and one of my favorite features. Take advantage of Skyscanner , you guys, they’re seriously the best.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

quirky coffee shops everywhere you go in Portland – this one’s in a converted school bus!

If you’ll be following this complete Oregon road trip itinerary you’ll be doing a full loop from Portland, hence the need for round trip tickets from PDX. If you’re coming from Northern California and don’t mind doing a bit of extra driving, you can start this road trip from wherever you see fit (Crater Lake is roughly 7-8 hours from San Francisco, and the southern Oregon Coast – Coos Bay – is about 9 hours). Just remember that you’ll need to head back to your original destination. 🙂

Since this is in fact a road trip , you’ll need a vehicle to get you from place to place! Worth mentioning so you don’t forget to account for the cost of a rental car when following this Oregon road trip! And since you’ll be returning the car in the same place you picked it up, no need for pesky extra drop-off fees. I commonly use this booking site when searching for low-cost car rental options, and like Skyscanner , frequently find great deals on there!

I like to search  via this site in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price.

How Long Should This Oregon Road Trip Take?

In all honesty, that’s a kinda hard question to answer, as the duration of the trip highly depends on your interests and how long you wanna stay in each place. I’d say a week if you’re picking and choosing a few stops to 2 and a half weeks if you wanna see and do mostly everything on this Oregon itinerary at a leisurely pace.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Now let’s get this Oregon road trip under way!

The Complete Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Stop #1: start in portland (2-3 days).

Portland, Oregon is best known for its delectable donuts, snobby coffee culture, orgasmic food, and, of course, for being weird. It is in their slogan after all! Two to three days in the city will give you enough time to see all the highlights, as well as eat to your heart’s content. It’s the best place to start your Oregon road trip since renting a car will be easy peasy if you’re flying into PDX.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

With two days in Portland, you can easily fit in these activities:

  • Pittock Mansion: Looking for spectacular views of the entire city? You’ll find those here at Pittock Mansion. Note that while the view is free to admire, a ticket is required to tour the mansion grounds.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

  • International Rose Test Garden (located within Washington Park): What’s better than rows and rows of sweet-smelling roses? Hint: not much. The garden boasts over 10,000 of the pretty things, in every color combination imaginable (over 650 varieties)! Wander around for a half hour or so, and be sure to actually stop and smell the roses (yes, pun intended). Make sure you visit when the roses are in bloom (April through October, although June is the peak season). FYI – Entrance to the garden is free, but you’ll need to pay a few bucks for parking.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

  • Powell’s City of Books: Book lovers, rejoice! You can easily spend hours (and hours) exploring Powell’s flagship store – you’ll even need a map (which they happily supply). Be warned: this place is HUGE huge (like, multiple floors with rooms opening into rooms opening into rooms, etc etc). It actually takes up an entire city block and then some. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you’re just not looking hard enough – they have EVERYTHING imaginable and then some (new, used, rare, and even out-of-print books). I was like a kid in a candy store…

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

  • Keep Portland Weird Sign: Right across from Voodoo Donuts you’ll find this quick photo spot → don’t miss this iconic mural! The sign itself is just a wall in a parking lot, but just go, be weird, and take your picture. The actual address is 350 W Burnside St in case you can’t find it (it’s right behind Dante’s).

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

  • Tilikum Crossing: Have more time and looking for a scenic leisurely walk over the river? Head to Tilikum Crossing, also known as the “bridge of the people”, a .35 mile pedestrian, bike, and light rail bridge with unparalleled views of the Willamette River. Smart, right? Why don’t more cities have this (bridges that ban cars that is)? You can easily do this walk back and forth in under an hour. I reckon it’d be even more dramatic and scenic at night with all the city lights shining down on the river! Be sure to look out for the submarine near OSMI!

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

→ Read Next: 3 Perfect Days in Portland

Where (and what) to eat in Portland (my favorites):

  • Pok Pok: order the Vietnamese fish sauce wings
  • Blue Star Donuts: just do it, more than once (calories don’t count on vacation)
  • Coffee at Stumptown: grab some at the airport if you don’t have time
  • Salt and Straw ice cream: try some of their wacky flavors, changing all the time!
  • Abyssinian Kitchen: some of the tastiest Ethiopian food around
  • Katchka (Russian): try the herring under a fur coat, Siberian dumplings, lamb with rice, and cauliflower schnitzel (all super tasty)
  • Pine State Biscuits: I’m drooling just thinking about my breakfast
  • Fried Egg, I’m in Love: the best egg sandwiches in Portland, in my opinion
  • Tov Coffee: located in a converted school bus; get “the mint thing”, it’s orgasmic
  • Voodoo Donut: a Portland must-stop, even if everyone says Blue Star is better

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Sleep: Portland (I’ve been lucky enough to stay with friends/family when visiting the area, but I’ve heard fantastic things about Ace Hotel Portland , Jupiter Hotel , Kimpton Hotel Monaco , and Stay Pineapple at Hotel Rose . Browse all hotels in Portland here .

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Stop #2: Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge (1 day)

Distance: 30 miles to Multnomah Falls | Driving time: 45 minutes + driving through the Gorge

It’s time to grab those wheels (hint: car rental) and make our way towards our first official stop on this Oregon road trip, Multnomah Falls!

Being the tallest waterfall in all of Oregon state, a stop at Multnomah Falls really should be on any Oregon road trip itinerary, no matter how long or short. Looking up at the 600+ foot tall roaring cascade of icy water is awe-inspiring to say the least! It’s actually the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest (whoaaa Nelly), so be prepared to share the views with 34,534 of your closest Portland-loving friends if you come after 10am. Visit before 9am and you’ll have the place almost to yourselves, season dependent.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Once Multnomah Falls is outta the way (and as noted earlier, head here early due to the crowds that arrive by 9/10am), continue on your waterfall-finding journey – there’s dozens upon dozens (!!!) of them in the Columbia River Gorge. The Gorge is essentially a canyon of the Columbia River, stretching more than 80 miles and up to 4,000 feet deep, and is kinda a divide between Washington and Oregon. With stunning vistas and enough waterfalls to last a lifetime, you’ll want to carve out at least half a day to explore.

Note that trails close on occasion due to wildfires, so you’ll want to make sure access is available before you set off on any hike. I’ve heard Horsetail Falls, Latourell Falls (it’s a few minutes before Multnomah, but go afterwards to beat the rush at Multnomah), and Wahkeena Falls are spectacular – but all were closed during my June 2018 visit due to the horrific fire in 2017.   Check for possible trail closures here .

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Note that it’s about 45 minutes from Multnomah Falls to the town of Hood River, which is a good place to base yourself for the night. If you’re exploring other waterfalls in the Gorge, you’ll be even closer to Hood River.

Sleep: Hood River (Check out the Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River and the Best Western Plus Hood River – both great options). Browse all hotels near Hood River here.

Stop #3: Hood River and Mt. Hood (1 day)

Psst – if you’re really pressed for time you can combine stop #2 and #3 into one long day. It’s definitely doable, it’ll just be a little rushed. Do note that if you plan on doing some hiking, you’ll probably wanna split up the days, but your call! I visited everything in one day, but wasn’t able to do all the hiking I wanted due to the trail closures as mentioned above.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Distance: 47 miles to Timberline Lodge | Driving time: 1hr

Next up, Hood River, but first, a short pit stop at Rowena Crest . Sure, it’s about 25 minutes outta the way, but most definitely worth it for that instashot (I’m sure you’ve seen it somewhere – haha)! So what is it about this place that makes it rather popular?! Yes, it’s technically just a bend in the road but the surrounding scenery makes it a worthwhile stop.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

This iconic horseshoe curve is actually one of the most photographed roads in all of Oregon! It does get pretty windy up here, so if you’re planning on taking that insta-photo, please be extra extra careful! Note that you’ll need to hoist yourself up and over the railing if you want more than just shoes in your shot (I was too much of a chicken to do so).

On your way to Mt. Hood, you’ll most likely wanna stop in Hood River for some lunch. My suggestion – Solstice Wood Fire Cafe for, you guessed it, some wood-fired pizza. Stretch those legs and go for a walk along the Hood River Waterfront for some great views of the area as well!

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Additional pit stop: Hood River Lavender Farm ! An absolute must-stop for anyone who’s even a little bit lavender obsessed. Not only can you wander around the whole place smelling the sweet smells, but for $5, you can pick your own lavender to tie up and bring home! The place was smaller than I had expected, but there’s tons and tons of lavender bushes so it doesn’t even matter. Be extra careful when picking, as there’s lots of bees!

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Be sure to look inside the gift shop for lavender jams/jellies, soaps, etc. If you come on a clear day you can even see Mt. Hood in the distance! FYI: Lavender picking season is from April/May to November, with peak bloom being July-August.

Wanna brag to your friends about finding the best views of Mt. Hood? Head to Trillium Lake , where the mountain literally reflects in the water and creates the most peaceful setting. What’s better than a mountain reflection in a jazzy blue lake? Not much! On a clear day, you’ll find Mt. Hood perfectly reflected in the water. Worth the short photo stop for sure! You can also walk around the lake for additional views as well, but we wanted to make it back by dinner so skipped the almost-2-mile loop trail. I want to visit during sunrise or sunset next time!

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

End this long day at Timberline , a mountain lodge right at the base of Mt. Hood, where you can watch the skiers summer ski and grab a bite to eat (if you’re so inclined). You of course can spend the night here if you’re planning on actually using the mountain for skiing or snowboarding (be sure to make reservations in advance), but we were just observers for the day.

Sleep in Mt Hood : Timberline Lodge if you’re feelin’ fancy, or check out Best Western Mt. Hood Inn or Collins Lake Resort for budget options in the area.

Stop #4 ( optional ): Silver Falls State Park (1 day)

(adds an extra 2-3 hours of driving time)

Distance : 94 miles to Silver Falls State Park | Driving time : 2hr plus traffic

→ Note that it’s more than possible to visit Silver Falls State Park as a day trip from Portland, so if you wanna do that and tack on a day to your Portland stop, feel free! → That’s what I did! It’s actually only about 1 hour, 15 minutes south of Portland, so if you prefer staying in the city and switching hotels one less time, a day trip to Silver Falls from Portland may be your best bet!

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

If the waterfall at Multnomah wasn’t enough for you, or you’re just a waterfall fanatic like myself, make the 2-3 hour detour to Silver Falls State Park. (Psst – I actually found the waterfall at Silver Falls State Park even more spectacular than those on the Columbia River Gorge). There are numerous trails available, with the easiest of them leading to the most impressive waterfall in the park – South Falls. You can even go behind some of them! Definitely reminded me of the some of the waterfalls I saw in Iceland!

If you’re looking for a longer hike, trek the entire 9 miles and you’ll be rewarded with 10 waterfalls (yes, 10!). Where else can you see 10 waterfalls on one hike?! We hiked about 3 miles or so and saw two waterfalls.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

People actually call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system – you’ll quickly understand why after your first visit! I mean, who doesn’t appreciate a leisurely walk the rainforest (Oregon’s only one actually!)

Sleep : Browse all hotels near Silver Falls State Park here.

Stop #5: Smith Rock State Park (½ – 1 day)

Drive: 3 hours to Smith Rock State Park from Silver Falls State Park -or- 2 hours from Timberline

Located roughly 30 minutes north of Bend (next up on this Oregon road trip itinerary) in central Oregon’s High Desert (riiiight off the highway I might add), this is a spot you’d be absolutely mistaken to miss, no matter the weather. With scenic views of deep river canyons and ample hiking opportunities, Smith Rock is any outdoor-lovers dream. If you’re up for a workout on tons of switchbacks, head up to Misery Ridge for dramatic views of the entire canyon and nearby rock formations. This spot is a mecca for rock climbers, and even if you don’t subject yourself to Misery Ridge (it is called Misery Ridge for a reason), you can still spot them from the canyon floor.

Things to do in Bend, Oregon: A Wintery Guide to the City and Surrounding Areas (including where to stay, how to get around, where to eat, and lots more!)

we visited in winter, hence the reason we’re bundling up (obv)

Psst: if you’re an alpaca fanatic like I am (guilty!), be sure to check out Crescent Moon Ranch located in Terrebonne (right near Smith Rock State Park). make sure to head into the visitor’s lounge to pick up some alpaca food to feed the little guys and check out all the goods made from their soft, luxurious fleece. Wool sweaters, wool socks, wool stuffed animals, and oh so much more – it’s all there.

Sleep: near Smith Rock ( Sleep Inn & Suites Redmond and Best Western Plus Rama Inn are viable options) or in the areas of Mitchell / Prineville near the Painted Hills (depends if you wanna do more driving today)

Stop #6 ( optional ): Painted Hills and surrounding areas (1 day)

This minor detour to Painted Hills will take you roughly an hour and 45 minutes outta the way, but hey, you might as well see a lot of the state on this Oregon road trip. And plus, it’s one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, so you kinda gotta see it.

The Painted Hills are just that – full of hills of a whole myriad of different colored soils, including yellows, golds, blacks, and reds. Top Tip: these different colors are best viewed in the late afternoon (the claystones appear different dependent on light and moisture).

But don’t leave just yet – the Painted Hills are just one of three units that make up the John Day Fossil Beds. You’ll find mars-like landscapes at the Clarno Unit, and fossils of plants and animals at the Sheep Rock Unit (which make up 55 million years of evolution with a giant collection of 40,000 fossils). And no, I didn’t exaggerate those numbers. It’s the real deal over in these parts! All of these three units have short trails to dramatic viewpoints of colorful rock formations – you could easily spend all day here. Note that the three units are roughly 1 hour away from each other, so you’ll need to account for some extra driving should you want to visit two or all three.

→ Important: If you’re staying after dark to watch the sunset (highly recommended), be extra careful when driving to your accommodations at night. There’s lots of wildlife out and about near the roads (deer, elk, etc).

Note that today’s kinda a lot of driving if you decide to see Smith Rock and the Painted Hills in one day, so you may want to consider sleeping in Mitchell near the Painted Hills (30 min drive) and driving to Bend the next morning. If you wanna get a head start the drive to Bend, sleep in Prineville (roughly 1 hr, 15 minutes from the Painted Hills and on the way to Bend).

Sleep : Bend at LOGE Entrada Bend (where I stayed and brand spankin-new) or The Oxford Hotel (another top-notch option recommended by a couple we met on our Craft Beverage Tour).   Browse all hotels in Bend here . (or Mitchell / Prineville near the Painted Hills)

Stop #7: Bend (2-3 days)

Drive: 2 hours to Bend from the Painted Hills

Located between the snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Mountains and the high desert plateaus of Central Oregon, Bend really has it all, and then some. Because of its prime location for outdoor activities (think hiking, biking, river sports, etc), you’ll find a ton of sporty enthusiasts living the rugged lifestyle.

Bend is basically an adults playground. And the town is super cute, too, with a whole slew of mouthwatering restaurants and cafes to indulge in!

Things to do in Bend, Oregon: A Wintery Guide to the City and Surrounding Areas (including where to stay, how to get around, where to eat, and lots more!)

As noted above, we visited Bend in it’s snowy winter months , and have yet to experience the area in all it’s warm-weather summer-glory. We fully enjoyed our time in Bend covered in snow, and went snowshoeing, took a craft beverage tour, and ate everything in sight (for real).

However, since I have a feeling you’ll be planning this Oregon road trip for a warmer month, I’ve compiled some of the best things to do in Bend sans piles and piles of snow. I have a few friends and cousins who frequent the area quite often (they’re Bend-obsessed), so I got some recommendations from them for you to enjoy.

Since Bend is sooo well known for its craft beers, you can’t leave town without taking part in the fun for at least a little while. The city is actually known as Beer Town USA, and has more breweries per capita than any other city in Oregon. Craft beverage tours like the Bend Ale Trail or the Local Pour Tour with Wanderlust Tours are especially popular to sample local sips.

Things to do in Bend, Oregon: A Wintery Guide to the City and Surrounding Areas (including where to stay, how to get around, where to eat, and lots more!)

We loved the mixture of the Local Pour Tour, visiting a local cidery, kombucha tap room, a whisky distillery, and of course a brewery. There’s even a non-alcoholic beer brewed for pups! Crazy, right?! They do love their beer over in Bend! If you’re a beer fanatic as well, you may want to schedule your trip to Bend during one of it’s many annual beer celebrations, including Central Oregon Beer Week, Bend BrewFest, or Bend Oktoberfest (among many, many more).

Things to do in Bend, Oregon: A Wintery Guide to the City and Surrounding Areas (including where to stay, how to get around, where to eat, and lots more!)

Alternatively, simply wander around the Old Mill District and Downtown Bend, which have tons of places to eat, stroll, or shop.

Outdoor lovers will also find tons to do here. During the summer, book a kayaking or canoeing expedition on the Cascade Lakes or the Deschutes River with Wanderlust Tours, who we actually went snowshoeing with in the winter and LOVED!

You can also enjoy the outdoors on foot or by bike, and you’ll see tons of people out on the trails on warm, sunny days. The Pilot Butte Trail is a popular hiking trail in Bend that takes you to the top of an extinct volcano (yup, I said volcano alright), with thrilling views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains nearby. It’s a beautiful, scenic trail for beginners and seasoned hikers alike. For bikers, you can’t beat the Deschutes River Trail, which extends over 12 miles and borders the Deschutes River, winding through canyons and beautiful green forests along the way.

Things to do in Bend, Oregon: A Wintery Guide to the City and Surrounding Areas (including where to stay, how to get around, where to eat, and lots more!)

what you can expect Bend to look like in the winter (that snow, swoon)

And if you’re looking to amp up your photography skills, book yourself a private lesson with Toni from Bend Photo Tours. She was oh so patient with me and answered all my silly (and quite embarrassing) questions without batting an eye. Next time I’m there I’m hoping the weather conditions are sufficient for some night-sky photography!

→ Read Next: A Snowy Weekend Trip to Bend, Oregon

Sleep: Bend at LOGE Entrada Bend (where I stayed and brand spankin-new) or The Oxford Hotel (another top-notch option recommended by a couple we met on our Craft Beverage Tour).   Browse all hotels in Bend here .

Stop #8: Crater Lake National Park (2 days)

Drive: 2 hours, 30 minutes to Crater Lake National Park from Bend

Crater Lake National Park has got to be one of the most mesmerizing places I’ve been to date, and thankfully, it’s up next on this Oregon road trip. With its calm dazzling blue waters, scenic highways, and super starry night skies, you can be sure you’ll never forget your visit to Crater Lake. And that’s a promise!

Heading to Oregon and wondering what all the things to do in Crater Lake are?! Click through for the best hikes, best viewpoints, where to stay, and what to eat - exactly what you need to plan your own visit to Crater Lake!

Some quick facts:

  • Crater Lake is currently the 10th-deepest lake in the world, with a maximum depth of almost 600 meters (1,949 feet). It’s also the deepest lake in the USA!
  • The magnificent intense blue color of Crater Lake is primarily due to it’s great, great depth, and remarkable clarity. The waters stay so clear since the lake has no other bodies of water flowing into it, meaning little-to-no pollution!  

Heading to Oregon and wondering what all the things to do in Crater Lake are?! Click through for the best hikes, best viewpoints, where to stay, and what to eat - exactly what you need to plan your own visit to Crater Lake!

We spent most of our time hiking, but there’s lot more to do at the National Park if hiking isn’t your jam. Revel in the views from Rim Drive’s multitude of lookout points, get some fancy drinks and/or a dessert at Crater Lake Lodge, take a boat cruise to Wizard Island, and even go for a swim (if you dare to step foot in the chilly waters)!

Heading to Oregon and wondering what all the things to do in Crater Lake are?! Click through for the best hikes, best viewpoints, where to stay, and what to eat - exactly what you need to plan your own visit to Crater Lake!

Although the park is open every single day of the year, many of the park’s roads, trails, and facilities are closed seasonally due to snow, which usually do not reopen until summer (June/July). If you want to ensure you’ll be able to drive around the perimeter of the lake (Rim Drive), schedule your trip for late July, August, or September. These also happen to be the most popular times to visit Crater Lake, but don’t fret – the park is rather large so you’ll still be able to find your own spots of peace and solitude.  

Heading to Oregon and wondering what all the things to do in Crater Lake are?! Click through for the best hikes, best viewpoints, where to stay, and what to eat - exactly what you need to plan your own visit to Crater Lake!

Sleep : Melita’s Crater Lake Lodge nearby Crater Lake (or you can head right to Ashland if you prefer). Browse all hotels near Crater Lake National Park here.

Stop #9: Ashland (1 day) – OPTIONAL

Drive: 2 hours to Ashland from Crater Lake National Park

Get one last look at Crater Lake, then hit the road; it’s time to make our way to Ashland, one of southern Oregon’s hot spots and loved by all.

Ashland is a classic Pacific Northwest hippie town with a love for nature, beer, and admittedly, all things weird. Here, you can find a very alternative vibe, with tons of green, vegan health shops, locally-brewed beers, and tons of places where you can get in touch with the quirky and downright strange personality of the place.

It’s not everywhere that you can watch Shakespeare, drink Sriracha flavored beer, and go to a paranormal activity hotspot in just one day. But in Ashland, you can do all this and more! Told you it was weird.

Speaking of Shakespeare, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is a must-see here, with regular shows at the Green Show, a performance venue and courtyard that’s frequented by visitors and locals alike. But if you’re not a fan of Shakespeare himself (say what?!), you can see other productions the group puts on, like Hairspray and Alice in Wonderland. The OSF shows usually happen during the summer, and if you choose to go to a classic Shakespeare show, don’t miss the ones at the Allen Elizabethan Theatre.

Aside from Shakespeare, there are tons of other weird and wacky things to do in Ashland. Beer lovers can find the strangest and most unique beers at the Caldera Brewing Tap House, a local favorite that made waves with its Sriracha Stout beer. You can also visit the Oregon Vortex, which is a weirdly spiritual spot known for paranormal activity and other strange happenings located about 30 minutes from town. And of course, don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful nature in the area, especially in the fall, when the leaves turn all kinds of beautiful colors.

Technically , if you wanna save a bit of driving and don’t have all the time in the world, you may choose to cut Ashland out of your Oregon itinerary. Your call, but I think it’s worth at least a day or so.

Sleep: Bard’s Inn Ashland . Browse all hotels in Ashland here.

Stop #10: Coos Bay // Southern Oregon Coast (1-2 days)

Drive: 3 hours, 15 minutes from Ashland to Coos Bay

It’s finally time to get this Oregon coast road trip itinerary underway! The drive from Ashland and Crater Lake will essentially take the same amount of time, so there’s no absolute NEED to visit Ashland if you’re pressed on time.  If you’re coming from either one, you have two options – the long way (~5 hour drive with more exploration of the southern Oregon coast), or the shorter way (3 and a half hours cutting straight to Coos Bay from Ashland/Crater Lake). I suggest opting for the short route as in my opinion, you won’t be missing out on too much by skipping the southern coast below (as Coos Bay is one of most scenic areas on the Oregon Coast)– but obviously, your choice!

San Francisco to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary: COMPLETE road trip with all stops, where to stay, and top things to do from San Francisco to Seattle (national parks, stunning lakes, best wine, etc)!

Coos Bay is home to the Cape Arago Beach Loop, which is where I’d spend the rest of the day.

On this driving/exploring/sightseeing loop, you’ll venture into three Oregon State Parks, watch a ton of seals and sea lions play, as well as stop at numerous breathtaking vantage points. The drive is not super long, but you’ll definitely want the better portion of the day to stop and soak it all in!

A few must-see stops: 1) Bastendorff Beach (say goodbye to crowds and hello to oh so much natural beauty), 2) Sunset Bay State Park (those towering sea cliffs sure are something, especially with the beautiful sandy beaches and amazing tide pool explorations), 3) Cape Arago Lighthouse Viewpoint (you unfortunately can’t view the inside but you can get fantastic views from here), 4) Shore Acres State Park and Botanical Gardens (tons and tons of blooms), 5) Simpson Beach (look out for the migrating whales and hundreds of seals and sea lions), 6) Shell Island (breeding and rest areas for seabirds and Marine mammals), and finally 7) Cape Arago State Park.

Sleep in Coos Bay : Browse all hotels near Coos Bay here.

Stop #11: Newport, Tillamook, and Cannon Beach (2 days)

Next up on this Oregon coast road trip → making the way back up north to Cannon Beach!

Prepare yourself as today’s primarily a driving day, but don’t worry, there’s tons of scenic stops along the way. Think scenic seaside towns, sand dunes, spectacular lighthouses, and cheese! Yes, cheese! Because who isn’t fascinated by cheese?

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Sure, California’s Highway One surely steals the show when it comes to coastal road trips, but Oregon’s coast is one for the bucket list as well! With quiet seaside coves, bustling beach towns, and secluded hideaways, you won’t want to miss the beauty that is Oregon.

A few recommended stops between Coos Bay and Cannon Beach, where we’ll be ending the drive today. If you’re not pressed on time you can easily spread these activities/stops out over two days.

  • Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: Wind-sculpted sand dunes for days (literally, miles and miles and miles). This NRA is actually one of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world, so yea, I wasn’t kidding when I said Oregon’s coastline is on par with California’s .  You can even take a buggy or ATV tour of the dunes!
  • Haceta Head Lighthouse : The first of numerous lighthouses on our list, and this one just happens to be the brightest light on the Oregon coast and most photographed in the whole state. To say it’s simply stunning is a huge understatement.
  • Cape Perpetua: Don’t miss the Spouting Horn, an exploding salt water geyser, and Thor’s Well, a gaping pit with violent waves crashing in every direction that ultimately fall into a hole, just as weird and wonderful as it sounds.
  • Nye Beach: The perfect stop for a late lunch, depending on how much exploring/sand-duning you did earlier. This is also a great place to spend the night if you’ll be splitting the drive from Coos Bay to Cannon Beach into two days.
  • Yaquina Head Light: Being the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, you can’t miss this towering beauty
  • Devils Punchbowl State Reserve: This is a popular whale watching site and displays an intriguing geology. Also, as the name suggests, there’s a hollow rock formation shaped like a huge punch bowl. Better yet, go at sunset if you want to see something spectacular.
  • Tillamook Cheese Factory: Who could resist some fine, fine creamy cheese samples? Not I, that’s for sure! If you’re not familiar with the brand, Tillamook is a leading cheese provider in the area, who aims to connect farmers with everyday food lovers (hi!) with cheese and ice cream. Don’t miss the tour.
  • Cannon Beach: Phew, made it (finally)! HAYSTACK ROCK, enough said.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

Finally, the last official stop on this Oregon coast road trip, the one and only Cannon Beach. Here at Cannon Beach, you’ll find the famous and ever-so-popular Haystack Rock (it’s a sight to be seen).

No matter where you stand, you’ll see it (I promise), as it towers 235 feet over the beach. If you can, plan your visit during low tide so you’re able to walk right up to Haystack Rock to search for sea creatures (crabs, sea anemone, mussels, and snails). Check here to see when the tide is at its lowest. Check out Pelican Brewing Company should you get hungry (the fish tacos were absolutely bomb).

Sleep: Hallmark Resort and Spa Cannon Beach or Surfsand Resort if you’re feeling fancy, or Hidden Villa Cottages for a less expensive room. Note that many of the hotels are quite expensive in Cannon Beach, so expect to pay at least $250 a night or so.

Thankfully, you’ve only got about an hour and a half drive west back to the city of Portland to complete this full Oregon road trip. Choose to drive back after your first night in Cannon Beach, or the morning after your second.

Planning a trip to Oregon in the near future? Check out this Portland itinerary, full of great foodie spots, waterfall hikes, and vista points! See all the highlights in 3 days in Portland!

End: Portland → Phew, you made it back! Grab some Stumptown Coffee on your way home!

Are you visiting the state soon? What are you most excited about on this Oregon road trip itinerary!?

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The Best Oregon Road Trip: complete loop itinerary

| Filed in Oregon , Road Trips | Disclaimer: I use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. | Leave a Comment

Summary: Best Oregon road trip, complete road trip itinerary, sunrise and sunset locations. *I use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Thanks for your support!

road trip oregon

Oregon was my first taste of the Pacific Northwest, and I’ve been smitten ever since. Most of these places I’ve learned about over the years or from passing through. I wish I would have done all of these in one epic Oregon road trip, so here ya go!

I recommend this road trip in the Summer time or the Fall, but it is possible to do during the Winter and Spring. Just be sure to check road closures and park closures when snow is a possibility!

The Route to the Best Oregon Road Trip!

road trip oregon

I recommend Portland, Oregon as your starting and stopping point. This also makes it very convenient to fly into the Portland airport and start your adventure! I will link more information about where to stay in detailed blog posts about each spot.

Need to condense your trip? A lot of these spots are close enough where you can cover multiple locations in one day. As a photographer, I typically go to a new spot for sunrise and sunset!

Let’s Hit the Road!

1. multnomah falls.

road trip oregon

Oregon has 238 waterfalls, and this is the tallest at 620 feet. Pretty mind blowing. View the Forest Service website HERE for latest updates. This spot does require reservations during the busy season! Check out more information on that and 15 other waterfalls on my Oregon Waterfall Guide!

2. Rowena Crest

road trip oregon

This drive-up spot is pretty breathtaking. To the left of this horse-shoe road view is a view of the Columbia River Gorge. We went just before sunset as we were running from the rain!

3. Painted Hills

road trip oregon

The drive in to the Painted Hills is, in my opinion, more beautiful than this little walkway. The striations of colors in the hills is stunning around golden hour and I imagine the same at sunrise!

This photo was taken at the Painted Cove Trail , maybe 30 seconds away from the parking lot. The entire trail is only .3 miles. See more details on AllTrails.

4. Smith Rock

road trip oregon

Smith Rock State Park makes me believe dinosaurs once existed. This place feels very random, jutting out of the land with nothing else like it around. This is a climber and hikers haven! Check out my full blog post on what hikes to do and nearby camping: SMITH ROCK: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO VIEWING THIS OREGON WONDER

5. Tamolitch Falls Blue Pool

Best Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Tamolitch Falls, or more famously known as Blue Pool, is a short hike through a douglas fir forest and old lava flows. The end reveals an incredibly blue basin of frigid water. Read all about how it was formed, nearby camping and cabins, and photo tips for this spot in my blog: FAMOUS TAMOLITCH BLUE POOL IN OREGON: AN ANCIENT TURQUOISE GEM

6. Sparks Lake

road trip oregon

This is a favorite of mine! There is something incredibly special about sunrise here, and I recommend sunrise because of the crowds. This is a drive up spot and is just outside of Bend, Oregon. Read all of my photo tips, camping advice and more on blog: SPARKS LAKE PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE: FREE CAMPING & SUNRISE

7. Umpqua Hot Springs

Umpqua Hot Springs Best Oregon Road Trip

I mean, who doesn’t love a hot springs trip! This is a very crowded and fragile spot, so I STRONGLY recommend you read my entire blog post about it have the best visit possible. Blog: UMPQUA HOT SPRINGS IN OREGON: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

8. Toketee Falls

road trip oregon

On the same road as Umpqua hot springs, this is a stunning waterfall featuring Basalt cliffs and blue water. The trail is .9 miles round trip. Get more details at AllTrails .

9. Crater Lake National Park

Best Oregon Road Trip

My visit to Crater Lake was brief, but this view was worth the stop. Did you know Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the USA at 1,943 ft ?! Drive up to the Crater Lake Lodge and hang out near the fire. Just down the parking lot is this view!

Shop My Road Trip Essentials!

road trip oregon

10. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

road trip oregon

There are so many incredible places to see along this scenic stretch. Natural Bridges, Secret Beach and Whaleshead beach are among my favorites. Check out my full blog for all the details: 6 BEST PHOTO SPOTS ON THE SOUTHERN OREGON COAST

11. Sharkfin Rock at Gold Beach

road trip oregon

This place was a happy accident for me. It was sunset, so I pulled off to the nearest beach access to watch the sun go down, and this spot was stunning. I love the rock formations on the Oregon Coast. This location is linked in the blog post 6 BEST PHOTO SPOTS ON THE SOUTHERN OREGON COAST

12. Face Rock State Scenic Beach

road trip oregon

Speaking of weird rock formations, this place wins in my opinion. Get a view from up top, or take the stairs down to the beach to see all of the wild rock formations. Detailed information in my blog 6 BEST PHOTO SPOTS ON THE SOUTHERN OREGON COAST

13. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

road trip oregon

Running down dunes takes me back to my childhood. The Oregon dunes are one of the largest areas of coastal sand dunes in the world! Get more details on my Blog post: 5 THINGS TO DO IN BANDON, OREGON FOR A WEEKEND

14. Oswald West State Park

road trip oregon

I LOVE the dramatic cliffs on this coastal spot. Use AllTrails to find some incredible places to explore for the day.

15. Cannon Beach

road trip oregon

Cannon Beach is classic, and an awesome way to end your epic Oregon Road trip. I definitely recommend viewing Haystack rock as seen in the picture and relaxing with a picnic on the beach.

More Nearby Destinations!

If you’re looking for more Pacific Northwest Adventures check out these other guides:

Conclusion:

I hope this gives you some road trip inspiration! There are endless places to explore in Oregon. This road trip itinerary requires a decent amount of time, but really allows you to see the most of Oregon. If you’re looking for shorter trips, check out some of my guides linked above or in the Oregon section of the Destinations Tab!

What’s on your Oregon Bucketlist?

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Join the conversation, 20 comments.

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I love a good road trip article, especially a USA one. After reading your post, I really want to go to Oregon and see some of that beautiful scenery. i’ve pinned this for some future travel planning.

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Thanks so much! Oregon is one of my favorite states to explore in the USA!

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I use to live in PDX…. and let me just say that I hope anyone who’s looking for the ultimate Oregon road trip find your blog! I was so happy to see Umpqua on the list, the place is just magical.

Ahh that means so much!! There are endless things to explore in Oregon!

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Wowza! My husband has been trying to sell a trip to Oregon to me for the longest time and I never took it seriously BUT I will now! The waterfalls and seaside cliffs look like something I have to see in real life! Thank you! My husband will be very happy, you converted me with your stunning photos

I love that!!! Well I hope if you go, you have the best time!

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OMG! This is the perfect itinerary for Oregon! I only managed to visit Eugene and Portland during a quick 2 day trip there. I’ve always been meaning to go back.

I hope you get the chance to!! There’s an absurd amount of places to explore in Oregon!

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Hi, how many days would you recommend to complete this loop?

Hello! If you did sunrise and sunset per spot it would be about a week minimum. That’s what I did with this loop. But it could easily be expanded to 2 weeks!

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'  data-srcset=

How many days did this take you? Sorry if it was mentioned, I did not see it. Thanks in advance!

Hello! Great question. I did this at a VERY fast pace of sunrise at one location and sunset at the next. I’d say a week is a great place to start at a faster pace. But you could absolutely trim down some of the spots that are a bit more out of the way. I think 2 weeks would be the most ideal to really get to enjoy everything for longer periods of time

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The Perfect 4 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

photo of Mount Hood with wildflowers in front on Timber Line Trail- Oregon 4 Day Road Trip Itinerary

Oregon may be one of the most underrated states in the US! While it has gained popularity in recent years it is still overshadowed by Washington to the North and California to the South. Oregon is a land of raging waterfalls, towering mountains, and stunning coastline, that should be on everyone’s travel list! The perfect way to see the most of Oregon is a road trip throughout the state! While a 7-day road trip may be ideal, there is still so much you can see with only 4 days in Oregon. Starting in Portland , travel to Multnomah Falls, Mount Hood, Bend, Crater Lake , and up the Oregon Coast on this perfect 4-day Oregon road trip itinerary.

Map of 4-Day Oregon Road Trip

map of a 4 day Oregon Road Trip itinerary

The Oregon road trip map above begins in Portland Oregon and travels to the major scenic sites in Oregon. Travel from Portland to Bend on your first day, stopping in the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood . On the second day, explore Bend and travel to Crater Lake National Park . Day three check out another stunning Oregon waterfall before venturing over to the Oregon Coast. Day 4 see the best Oregon Coast stops including Thor’s Well, Cannon Beach, and many more before heading back to Portland.

This 4-day trip takes around 830 miles and 18 hours of driving with an average of 4 hours of driving each day. This is interspersed with many scenic spots, and there are opportunities to cut out spots if you prefer less driving. Rent a car from Portland to give yourself as much flexibility as possible.

4 Day Oregon Road Trip Packing List

girl with backpack on hiking in front of Mount Hood in Oregon

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

  • Raincoat-  You don’t want to visit Oregon without a rain jacket. This also works as a windbreaker-   My Favorite Rain Jacket
  • Fleece-  A fleece or mid-layer is great to have when hiking so you can easily take it off to cool down-  Soft REI Fleece
  • Day Pack – If you plan on doing a decent amount of hiking a day pack is always great to bring-  Recommended Osprey Day Pack
  • Beanie or Hat-  You never know when the wind may pick up, so it is a good idea to always hike with a hat-  Warm Beanie
  • Waterproof Boots – Trails near the coast and waterfalls are often muddy. Make sure to bring waterproof boots-  My Favorite Hiking Boots
  • Moisture-Wicking Pants – While they do not need to be waterproof, you will likely want either moisture-wicking or quick-drying pants if the forecast calls for rain-  Comfortable Women’s Hiking Pants
  • Sandals – If visiting in the summer and you plan on spending a long time at the beach, bring a pair of sandals to change into-  Teva Sandals
  • Water Bottle – If hiking, bring a water bottle to hydrate-  Water Bottle
  • Sunscreen – Make sure to wear sunscreen outdoors-  SPF 50 Sunscreen
  • Camera-  Bring a camera to capture your memories!-   Beginner Travel Camera

4 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

The Perfect Oregon Road Trip 4 Day Itinerary with detailed stops for each day

Day 1: Portland to Mount Hood and Bend

Mount Hood from the Timberline Trail in August with wildflowers

  • Portland to Bend Distance: 211 miles
  • Portland to Bend Driving Time: 4 hours 38 minutes

You will likely start your Oregon road trip in Portland if you are flying in. This makes a great starting point, as it gives you easy access to the Columbia River Gorge and the Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway. Take the scenic route from Portland to Bend , by driving through the Gorge, stopping at a few waterfalls and overlooks. This adds a bit over an hour of driving than if you were to drive straight to Bend, but it is well worth it to see some of the best waterfalls in Oregon.

Upon reaching Hood River , continue South around Mount Hood, and then on US-26 and US-97 the remaining way to Bend. A few must-see stops are Trillium Lake or the Timberline Lodge for a view of Mount Hood, and Smith Rock State Park near Bend!

Columbia River Gorge

view down Columbia river gorge of Vista House

The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area ranges from just East of Portland out to Hood River. There are many viewpoints and stops on the way, so make sure to choose a few on your trip down the Gorge!

Vista House is one of the best spots to view the Columbia River Gorge. It is over 100 years old and is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. This is also a great spot to view sunrise near Portland. Another great viewpoint is Beacon Rock Trail which is only 1.5 miles and one of the best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge !

Best Waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge

girl in orange shirt standing in front of Horsetail Falls in the Columbia River Gorge on an Oregon road trip

A trip to the Columbia River Gorge is not complete without visiting some waterfalls! The Columbia River Gorge has some of the best waterfalls in all of Oregon, accessible by trails ranging from easy to difficult.

  • Multnomah Falls- Multnomah Falls is the most popular and tallest waterfall in Oregon. It can be accessed by a short walk from the parking lot, or you can do a more difficult hike up to the top of the falls.
  • Wahclella Falls- 1.9 miles, 223 feet, Easy – Wahclella Falls is an easy 2-mile hike to one of the best waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge
  • Latourell Falls – 3 miles, 728 feet, Moderate – It is only a quarter of a mile to Latourell Falls, or you can do a loop hike up to Upper Latourell Falls as well.
  • Horsetail Falls- Horsetail Falls is a short walk from the parking lot and accessible to everyone.
  • Bridal Veil Falls –  0.5 miles, 78 feet, Easy – Many wouldn’t consider this a true hike, but nevertheless, it is well worth your time. Bridal Veil Falls is only a quarter of a mile from the parking lot, and the overlook gives a spectacular view of the two-tiered, over 100-foot waterfall.

Read More: Best Waterfall Hikes Near Portland

mount hood from tom mccall point in wildflower season

After driving through the Gorge you will reach the picturesque town of Hood River. In the Spring this is a great time to see wildflowers , or you can make a stop to pick fruit or try wine at one of the many orchards and vineyards on the Fruit Loop in Hood River! The  Gorge White House  is a popular family-owned spot that serves fresh fruit, wine, and cider out of a historic 1906 house.

Read More: Wildflower Hikes in Oregon & Washington

mount hood from trillium lake- a must see on an oregon road trip

Next, you will drive up by Mount Hood before continuing on to Bend. While you may not have time for a long hike, consider a short stop at a viewpoint to see the majestic Mount Hood!

Mount Hood Viewpoints:

  • Trillium Lake
  • White River West Sno-Park
  • Timberline Trail

Smith Rock State Park

view down Smith Rock State Park

Your last stop of the day will be at Smith Rock State Park . Smith Rock is located about 30 minutes from Bend, Oregon, and is the perfect spot to view the sunset! You can walk a short distance to see the iconic view of the Crooked River Trail snaking by the steep rock walls. If you have more time, hike along the river and admire the beautiful State Park.

Where to Stay Near Bend

Hotels near bend.

  • Campfire Hotel – This cute hotel is perfectly nature themed for your Oregon road trip
  • McMenamins Old St. Francis School – McMenamins is a staple throughout Oregon and offers unique accommodations and restaurants. This converted school even has hot soaking pools you can enjoy.
  • Bunk & Brew Historic Lucas House Hostel – If you’re more on a budget there is a hostel with both private and shared rooms in a historic brick house.

Rentals Near Bend

  • Riverfront Retreat –  A larger home on the river is perfect for a group trip or family get together
  • Cabin Near Bend – This adorable cabin was perfect to be near Bend but still in nature
  • Ranch Guesthouse Near Bend – If you’re looking for something a little more remote. This cozy guesthouse is about 15 minutes from Bend.

Day 2: Bend and Crater Lake

Bend, Oregon sign in the Old Mill District

  • Bend to Crater Lake Distance: 161 miles
  • Bend to Crater Lake Driving Time: 3 hours 18 minutes

Spend the morning in Bend and the evening in Crater Lake for the perfect day 2 of your Oregon road trip. There are not many stops in between, so spend some time enjoying Bend’s famous site s before heading off.

The route to Crater Lake is very easy to follow- just take US-97 south to Chiloquin before venturing up on OR-422 and OR-62 to Crater Lake National Park.

tumalo falls in Bend Oregon

Bend is a unique outdoorsy town at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. Spend the morning exploring Bend and the surrounding area before continuing on. Below is a summary of some of the best things you can do in Bend.

Also don’t forget to pick up breakfast at one of the many coffee roasteries based in Bend. Bend is well known for its coffee so you really can’t go wrong! Bend also had a thriving brewery scene, so after a morning outdoor activity cool off at one of the local breweries such as Deschutes Brewery or Crux Fermentation Project .

Best Things to Do Near Bend

girl hiking at Pilot Butte on a 4 day Oregon Road Trip

Bend has so much to do it is hard to choose! Below are just a few of the activities you could pick from to squeeze in for a half day in Bend.

  • See the city and mountains from Pilot Butte
  • Go on a guided climb in Smith Rock State Park
  • Rent a paddleboard and float down the Deschutes River
  • Take an ATV Tour   through the desert
  • Chase waterfalls like Tumalo Falls
  • Stop by the Last Blockbuster
  • Visit the High Desert Museum  
  • Go hiking at Newberry National Monument

Read More: Weekend Itinerary in Bend, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

view of crater lake in Early April from discovery point, a stop on a 4 day oregon road trip

After having your fill in Bend, drive the 90 miles down to Crater Lake National Park . Crater Lake is a beautiful National Park and easy to see in half a day! I would recommend picking a sunset hike such as The Watchman Peak Trail to admire the stunning lake. Depending on the time of year you can also drive or bike around the rim and stop at the viewpoints!

Where to Stay Near Crater Lake

Hotels near crater lake.

  • Crater Lake Lodge – This is the only hotel inside the National Park! Like most National Park’s lodges, this is not the cheapest option, but you can’t beat the location.
  • Crater Lake Resort – This is about 30 minutes outside of the National Park and has both tent sites and cabins for rent.
  • Sleep Inn in Chiloquin – A standard hotel about 45 minutes outside the park.

Rentals Near Crater Lake

  • Cabin on Umpqua River – This Cabin is a bit further North of Crater Lake but is right on the way to the locations on Day 3 of your Oregon road trip.
  • Tiny Home Near Crater Lake – This ranch tiny home is just 19 miles from Crater Lake National Park.
  • Cabin on the River – This cabin on a river is about 30 minutes from Crater Lake.

Day 3: Crater Lake to the Oregon Coast

view down oregon coast on a road trip

  • Crater Lake to the Oregon Coast Distance: 201 miles
  • Crater Lake to the Oregon Coast Driving Time: 4 hours 16 minutes

Day 3 of your Oregon road trip itinerary will take you from the mountains to the coast! First, head up from Crater Lake with a quick stop at Toketee Falls ! Then continue taking OR-138 all the way out to the coast. From there you will turn onto the scenic 101.

Most of the rest of the trip will be spent driving up the 101 along the coast. Don’t be afraid to stop at the many pull-offs and take in the views! Some key stops on this day include the Oregon Dunes, Sea Lion Caves, and Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Toketee Falls

toketee falls in Oregon

Toketee Falls   is a quick stop on the way toward the Oregon Coast in  Umpqua National Forest . It is only half a mile each way to an overlook of the 113-foot-tall waterfall. This is one of the most famous waterfalls in Oregon, iconic for the basalt columns that surround it.

The Oregon Dunes

girl in blue hiking on Oregon Sand Dunes on John Dellenback Trail

Below are a  few great hikes near the Oregon Dunes . When searching for hikes on the Oregon Dunes, be sure to check if the trail is hiking only. Many trails in this area are also ATV trails.

  • John Dellenback Trail – 5.5 miles, 308 feet, Moderate – If you hike the entire trail it will lead you to the beach. You can also hike just part of the trail to experience walking on the dunes! Please note that dogs are not allowed from March through September.
  • Threemile Lake Trail – 6.1 miles, 997 miles, Moderate – This trail leads to a lake near the shore and leads you through both sand dunes and lush forests.
  • Hall Lake Loop – 1.6 miles, 154 feet, Easy – This is a shorter trail in the sand around Hall Lake, and features a waterfall during certain times of the year.

If you have more time, you can also rent an ATV from somewhere like Spinreel Dune Buggy and ATV Rental and explore the dunes with 4 wheels.

Heceta Head Lighthouse & Sea Lion Caves

view of Heceta head lighthouse from the 101 in Oregon

Stop by  Heceta Head Lighthouse and the  Sea Lion Caves . These two spots are right next to each other, so it is easy to see both.

Sea Lion Caves

The Sea Lion Caves cost $14 per person to descend into the caves and see the wildlife up close. The sea lions are not always present, so you can call ahead to confirm, or stop by and ask before purchasing a ticket.

Right past the caves is the Lighthouse and Sea Lion Beach Vantage Point . This is a free pull-off that gives a good photo opportunity of Heceta Head Lighthouse and Cape Cove.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

For a small fee, you can park in the day-use area and walk closer to the lighthouse. It is only 0.5 miles to the lighthouse. For a longer hike, continue on the  Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail to Hobbit Beach , a   3.6-mile round-trip walk.

There are not many places to stay here, so you will likely want to continue on to Yachats, Oregon for the night.

Where to Stay Near Yachats

Hotels near yachats.

  • Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast – You can stay in the Heceta Head lightkeepers house turned bed & breakfast!
  • Adobe Resort – This is a 3-star hotel with a beautiful sea view in Yachats!
  • Overleaf Lodge & Spa – For a slightly nicer stay, relax at the Overleaf Lodge and Spa in Yachats

Rentals Near Yachats

  • Cottage with Hot Tub – This little cottage is close to the Ocean in Yachats.
  • Earthworks Art House – This stay is adjacent to the Earthworks Gallery and a rhododendron preserve
  • Cozy Beach Cottage – This little cottage is dog friendly and within an easy walk to the beach

Day 4: Road Trip up the Oregon Coast

day 4 of Oregon road trip goes up the coast

  • Oregon Coast back to Portland Distance: 262 miles
  • Oregon Coast back to Portland Driving Time: 5 hours 50 minutes

This is the longest driving day on your 4-Day Oregon coast road trip itinerary but it is interspersed with lots of quick stops! You can also cut down on the driving time by staying the night in Astoria or Cannon Beach or cutting out Astoria entirely and heading straight to Portland from Cannon Beach.

The majority of the driving is done along the 101 which has scenic ocean views almost the whole way! Some must-see stops are listed below including Thor’s Well, Yaquina Lighthouse, Cannon Beach , and Astoria . If you want to see even more here is a list of the best things to see on the Oregon Coast.

Thor’s Well

thor's well is a must see on an oregon coast road trip

Thor’s Well is a quick stop, but a must-see on the Oregon Coast. This unique rock formation forms a hole in the coastline. At low tide, it is fun to watch the waves crash against the rock and soar up through the hole before being sucked back out to sea. However, it is high tide where Thor’s Well really shines.

High tide is the  best time to see and photograph Thor’s Well . The ocean covers the hole, meaning the water drains right through, looking like a hole in the ocean! To time your visit right, check a tide chart and visit at high or close to high tide.

There is a short dirt path to get closer to a lookout of the well. This should be accessible for most people. The tide will depend on how close you can get to the well. Always be careful of high waves that can reach further than you may expect. If you can’t hike closer to the well, it is also visible right off the road.

Yaquina Lighthouse

yaquina lighthouse

Lighthouses are always a must-see on the coast The  Yaquina Lighthouse  in the  Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site  is one of the best because it will let you walk inside! You can check the lighthouse website for up-to-date information on if the lighthouse is open. 

From the same parking area as the lighthouse, you can walk down to  Cobble Beach . Cobble Beach is a small beach with interesting black spherical rocks and many tide pools.

Oswald West State Park

view down the Oregon Coast from Neahkahnie Mountain in Oswald West State Park

Oswald West is one of the best State Parks in Oregon. There are hikes ranging from a short walk to several miles, and it has spectacular views of the coast!

Best Hikes in Oswald West State Park

view of oregon coast from beach

Pick a short or longer hike in Oswald West State Park depending on the time you have. If nothing else, I would highly recommend taking the short walk to Short Sand Beach .

  • Short Sand Beach – 0.6 miles, Easy – Short Sand Beach is more of a quick walk than a hike and is the best option if you are short on time. Explore this beach cove before heading up the coastline!
  • Cape Falcon Trail –  4.6 miles, 623 feet elevation, Moderate – This trail starts from the same trail that leads to Short Sand Beach or an alternative trailhead. The end goal of this hike leads to a viewpoint of Cape Falcon.
  • Neahkahnie Mountain –  2.8 miles, 866 feet, Difficult – This is the more maintained of two trails up Neahkahnie Mountain. This trail has amazing views of the coastline from the mountaintop

Cannon Beach

cannon beach view of haystack rock

Cannon Beach  is a must-see when visiting Oregon. It is one of the most popular beaches due to its proximity to Portland, and the impressive 235-foot-tall  Haystack Rock  that dominates the view. This beach is huge, so there is plenty of room to wander or have a picnic!

Depending on the time of day you visit, Cannon Beach is a great place to stop for lunch! The seafood here cannot be beaten, and like much of Oregon, there are plenty of breweries to choose from.  Pelican Brewing  and  Public Coast Brewing  are two popular breweries in Cannon Beach.    Ecola Seafood Restaurant and Market   has a laid-back atmosphere and classic seafood options including Oregon’s famous Dungeness Crab. Dine in or take some to go, and enjoy your food with an ocean view!

Astoria-Megler Bridge, last stop on 4 day Oregon coast road trip itinerary

Astoria is the most Northern Oregon coastal town, but well worth the visit! You may recognize many spots there as filming locations for popular movies like The Goonies.

This is the last spot on your itinerary, so fill in any remaining time you have exploring the town and nearby coast before making your way back to Portland!

Things To Do in Astoria

cathedral tree in astoria

Like many towns on this list, Astoria has more to do than can be fit in the day, but you can see one or two of the highlights, depending on your preferences while in this coastal town! Below are just some of the best things to do nearby.

  • Cathedral Tree Trail   is a short hike in downtown Astoria
  • Ride the Historic Trolley along the riverfront
  • See the Astoria-Megler Bridge
  • Photograph the Peter Iredale Shipwreck
  • Go hiking in Cape Disappointment State Park
  • Visit the   Columbia River Maritime Museum

Read More: Things to Do in Astoria

Alternative Itinerary- 4 Day Oregon Coast Road Trip

4 day Oregon Coast road trip itinerary map

If you would rather explore one area of Oregon more in-depth in your 4 days, I would recommend instead doing a  road trip of the Oregon coast . Start at  Astoria  and make your way down to  Brookings, Oregon.  You will be able to see many of the coastal places listed above as well as  Samuel H Boardman State Park, Devil’s Punchbowl, Ecola State Park, Cape Kiwanda , and many other stops.

If you have extra time you can continue on down to spend a day in the Redwoods and fly out of San Francisco.

  • Day 1: Astoria and Cannon Beach
  • Day 2: Cannon Beach to Lincoln City
  • Day 3: Lincoln City to Florence
  • Day 4: Florence to Brookings

Tips for Planning an Oregon Road Trip

road trip oregon

  • Check the weather for each area.  Oregon has a diverse landscape and the weather on the coast is likely very different from the Oregon desert! The weather will also be colder at higher elevations and many mountains do not clear of snow until late July or early August.
  • Know tire chain requirements. In the Fall-Spring many mountain passes and the Columbia River Gorge requires tire chains. Check if they are required during your visit. You can also check mountain pass road conditions on the Oregon webcams.
  • Buy an Oregon State Park pass. This itinerary includes a lot of state parks! You will likely save money and time by buying a 12-month day-use parking permit for $30 instead of paying the day fee in each park.
  • Download your maps  ahead of time or print them off. The mountains and coast of Oregon often don’t get service.
  • Make your reservations ahead of time – This is especially true if you want to camp in Summer. Campgrounds get very competitive in the Pacific Northwest
  • Leave No Trace!   This is essential when hiking in any wilderness area. Don’t pick wildflowers (it’s illegal in Oregon!), don’t feed or pet wild animals, and take all trash with you. Stay on the trail when hiking, wandering off-trail destroys the environment and ruins the experience for others.

How Many Days for an Oregon Road Trip?

road trip oregon

You may be wondering- how many days should I plan for an Oregon road trip?

I would recommend  7-10 days  to see as much as possible.  4 days  are enough to  hit the highlights , but you will likely walk away feeling as though there was still so much more to see. However, if 4 days are all you have, it is definitely worth it to make the trip and experience Oregon!

When to Road Trip Oregon?

Bend Average Weather (from weatherspark.com)

Late Spring through Early Fall is the best time to visit Oregon . Summer will give you the most flexibility in things to do with warm weather all over the state. Keep in mind places like Crater Lake do not entirely lose their snow until into July. My personal recommendation would be to visit in mid to late September when the snow has likely not yet begun, but peak summer crowds have left. The itinerary above assumes that Crater Lake’s road is open to go out the North side.

As you can see above, the weather varies across Oregon. The coast remains mild throughout the year, rarely getting snow. Meanwhile, the mountains near Bend get coated every winter. If you are taking a Winter trip to Oregon, you’re itinerary and activities may need to look a little different to take advantage of the skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.

You May Also Like

  • Scenic Day Trips from Portland
  • Guide to Silver Falls State Park
  • Mount Rainier in One Day

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the perfect oregon road trip 4 days

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The Perfect 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Years ago, when I lived in Texas, I decided to visit the beautiful state of Oregon. Since I love exploring mountains and beaches, I decided to make the most of it and do an ultimate Oregon road trip! I fell in love with this state and all that it has to offer, and it was one of the many reasons I moved to the Pacific Northwest. Now I visit this excellent state at least twice a year. I mean, it is so dang close to me now! So I wanted to make it easy for you and highlight my favorite things to do there! Hikes, restaurants, viewpoints, etc. I hope you love Oregon as much as I do after your trip.

Oregon Road Trip

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. 

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Oregon road trip map.

Below is a screenshot of the route and a Google map you can download and use throughout your trip.

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Oregon Road Trip

Day 1 – portland.

Powells Bookstore

What I loved most about Portland was the food! OMG, everywhere that I ate, I was mesmerized. We even found one of the spiciest dishes of our life, and we love spicy food. Some popular things include:

  • Drinking a beer at Deschutes Brewery
  • Visiting Powell’s Bookstore
  • Eat At Voodoo Doughnut for breakfast
  • Checking out the International Rose Test Garden
  • Check out the Portland Japenese Garden

Deschutes Brewery

>>> Book A Portland Tour Here

Where To Stay In Portland

  • The Mark Spencer Hotel : An excellent hotel a few minutes away from Powell’s Bookstore and the Japenese Garden. >>>Book Here

Day 2 – Columbia River Gorge

Hikes and viewpoints.

Latourell Falls

I am in LOVE with the Columbia River Gorge. I go to this area at least once a year now. I am captivated by all the waterfalls, the views of Mount Hood, the wineries, restaurants, and farms. It is such a fun area, and it is the number one thing to do in Oregon. If someone told me there was only one area I had to pick to explore, it would be this one.

The number one thing to do in the Columbia River Gorge is to chase waterfalls. There is a road called the Historic Columbia River Highway, and there are many waterfalls here! Some popular ones include Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, Ponytail Falls, and Dry Creek Falls.

Read More: The Ultimate Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Road Trip

Multnomah Falls

You can also hike around the gorge to get a better viewpoint of the Columbia River. I loved wandering the Mosier Plateau Trail during the spring, as the flowers are all out.

Mosier Cape Viewpoint in the Spring

Food And Drinks

Unwinding after some waterfall chasing around the Hood River Waterfront Park is a must. This place is so stunning and relaxing! We grabbed some pizza at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza – Cafe & Bar and took it to the park. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we watched people kayak the Columbia river.

I also loved eating at the Riverside restaurant for brunch and loved Garnier Vineyards as well as the Mt. Hood Winery .

If you want to go kayaking or windsurfing, you can rent it at Big Winds. This is a popular thing to do in the summer in Oregon .

Where To Stay In Hood River (Stay Here For Two Nights)

Hood River Hotel:  Hood River Hotel is the oldest hotel in Hood River, Oregon, and has been updated with a cute modern style. There is a restaurant on-site, and it is pet-friendly. >>>Book Here

Day 3 – Mt. Hood

Kiyokawa Family Orchards

Mount Hood is such a perfect place to visit in the summer. The mountain is stunning, and there are so many fun things to do outdoors!

I am such a sucker for good fruit! I love visiting local farms, and Mt. Hood has a ton of them. My favorite farm was Kiyokawa Family Orchards, as you can pick your fruit, and it has such a fantastic view of Mount Hood. If you want a map of all the farms in the area, click here .

Great Hikes

  • Tom Dick and Harry Trail: Great views of Mirror Lake and Mount Hood and labeled as hard.
  • Trillium Lake Loop: Easy trail and great if you want an epic photo of Mount Hood with a lake.
  • Tamanawas Falls: Moderate waterfall hike on the east side of the mountain.
  • Ramona Falls : Another excellent waterfall hike.

Day 4 – Silver Falls State Park

Trail Of Ten Falls

Trail Of Ten Falls

Silver Falls State Park is one of the most underrated state parks I have ever seen. This park is outstanding, and there are so many waterfalls here! Around 10 of them, and they are all epic. When I heard about this place, I thought one or two waterfalls would be beautiful and the rest would be mediocre, but nope! They were all fantastic and stunning.

The main trail is called the “ Trail of Ten Falls ,”. It is 7.4 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,200 ft and is rated moderate. When I did the hike, it was closer to 8 miles. This is pretty much an all-day adventure, so pack your hiking equipment and drive to this lovely park. Parking at Silver Falls is $5 per vehicle.

Trail Of Ten Falls

Where To Stay In Salem

  • Hotel Hampton Inn and Suites Salem: >>>Book Here Now

Day 5 – Bend

Take a hike.

Some popular hikes in the area include South Sister Summit , and Green Lakes Trail . I will tell you about my all-time favorite waterfall hike, which is a little out of the way from Bend (an hour and a half). It is Proxy Falls, and it is shown below. It is only 1.6 miles with an elevation gain of 147 ft. and I highly recommend it! Get up early in the morning and hike this trail, then drive to Bend, relax and enjoy the rest of your evening :-).

Proxy Falls

Visit A Brewery

road trip oregon

I have been to Oregon many times, and something I have regretted in the past was not spending enough time in Bend. This town is so much fun! It is hip and filled with food trucks, breweries, and wineries.

Bend is known for its breweries, so you have to visit at least one of them! Most have food, so it is still fun to visit even if you aren’t a beer person. Some of the popular ones include:

Where To Stay In Bend (Stay Here For Two Nights)

  • Hotel SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bend: We stayed at this hotel, and I loved it. It was clean, close to many restaurants, breweries, and had a nice bar. >>>Book Here

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Day 6 – Smith Rock State Park And Painted Hills

Painted hills.

Painted Hills

When I explored Oregon for the first time, I was surprised at how much the landscape changed after driving only a few hours. You can go from lush green forests to a desert in a mere few hours. An entertaining and different area to explore is Painted Hills . It is located in Eastern Oregon and is a combination of many hills with red, yellow colors swirling around. You can’t get too close to the red-yellow area, but the Painted Cove Trail features close-up views of the red formations.

Out of everything I experienced in Oregon, this is probably my least favorite thing on this list. So if you are limited on time and don’t want to make the drive here, you can skip it and do an activity much closer.

Pro Tip: Fill up on gas before heading out to Painted Hills as there is not much around there.

Smith Rock

After exploring Painted hills in the morning, head out to Smith Rock for sunset. You can hike around this stunning place and do trails like Painted Cove Trail, Misery Ridge, and River Trail , or the Rim Rock trail. You can also rock climb Smith Rock which is what we did and it was a blast!

Read More: The Ultimate Guide To Smith Rock Hiking Trails

road trip oregon

Day 7 – Umpqua National Forest

Toketee falls.

Toketee Falls

If you want something that is more bang for your buck, then check out Toketee Falls ! This waterfall hike is only 0.9 miles with a 167 ft elevation gain. I loved this trail! It was so easy to do, and the trees are lush and green.

Toketee Falls trail

Umpqua Hot Springs

One of the most popular hot springs in Oregon is the beautiful Umpqua Hot Springs . There are around eight pools that can fit about 2-4 people. The trail is approximately 0.8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 305 ft. The hot springs are only open from sunrise to sunset, so you cannot camp there overnight. Also, the parking lot only holds ten cars, so get there early!

I also want to say that this area is known to be constantly trashed. Please pick up after yourself and don’t leave any items behind. That includes food (seeds and banana peels), and beer cans.

Watson Falls

Watson Falls is another easy trail that has a magnificent waterfall viewpoint. The trail is only 1 mile long with an elevation gain of 524 ft. It is relatively close to Toketee Falls, so make sure you check this waterfall out!

Diamond Lake

Diamond Lake is a great place to stop if you want a great mountain view with a lake. Here you can have a perfect view of Mt Bailey with Diamond lake in the foreground.

Where To Stay Near Crater Lake (Stay Here Two Nights)

  • Crater Lake Lodge: One of the few hotels located in the National Park. >>>Book Here

Read More: Where to Stay Near Crater Lake National Park | Lodging & More

Day 8 – Crater Lake National Park

crater lake

I dream of revisiting Crater Lake National Park! This place is a gem. I almost took this out of our itinerary years ago, and I am so thankful my husband told me to include it. My jaw dropped when I saw it. I had never seen such a dark, sapphire-blue lake in my life. It is known to be the deepest lake in the United States!

Read More: 14 Best Things To Do at Crater Lake National Park

Things to Do At Crater Lake

  • Go to some of the viewpoints: The best ones are Watchman Overlook, Phantom Ship Overlook, and Cloudcap Overlook.
  • Drive Around: You can drive around the whole lake to take in its beauty.
  • Hike and Swim: There is only one way to swim in the lake and that is by hiking the Cleetwood Cove Trail . We did this, and it was so fun but freezing! Even on the hottest day, the water was chilling.

crater lake

Day 9 – Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

road trip oregon

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is located on the southern coast of Oregon. It has become one of the most popular Instagram spots in Oregon, and for a good reason. The area is filled with cliffs and waves crashing into them and sea stacks filled with evergreen trees. It is breathtaking!

Most viewpoints are pretty easy to get to, making it a perfect spot to relax or take pictures. No extensive crazy hiking is needed to get these views. Popular viewpoints include the Whaleshead Beach, Cape Ferrelo viewpoint, House Rock Viewpoint, and Indian Sands Viewpoint.

The most popular area is the Natural Bridges which is best to see for sunrise. This area can be a bit difficult to get to. At the parking lot take a right (if you are facing the beach). Then take two lefts when you get to the junctions. The trail is very steep so bring good hiking shoes.

Want To Learn More On Samuel H. Boardman : Check Out My Post On The Best Oregon Coast Road Trip

Where To Stay Near Samuel H. Boardman

Tu Tu’ Tun   Lodge (Gold Beach):  This place is fantastic and nestled in a beautiful forest area. >>>Check It Out Here

Day 10 – North And Central Coast

Hug Point

Exploring the Oregon Coast is a must on your Oregon road trip! There are many cute coastal towns like Cannon Beach (my fav)! If you want to extend your trip to be a bit longer than ten days, then stay a few days on the coast. There is so much to see and to do here.

road trip oregon

Some of my favorite stops on the coast include:

There is so much more to do than what I listed above. Those are just a couple of my favorite areas. I do feel like you need more than one day to explore the central and northern coast. But if you are limited on time, I would only stop at Cape Kiwanda and Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is the cutest town and has many hotels and yummy restaurants.

Want To Learn More On The North And Central Coast : Check Out My Post On The Oregon Coast

Cape Kiwanda

Where To Stay In Cannon Beach

Surfsand Resort(Cannon Beach):  This is where we stayed the first time we came to Cannon Beach. They have oceanfront rooms and a heated indoor swimming pool and hot tub. I enjoyed our stay here, and I loved that we could walk easily to the beach.   >>>Check It Out Here

Day 11 – Go Home

Such a sad day! Going home is hard. Oregon has some of the most epic sceneries in the country. When I first came to Oregon, I vowed to come back, and what do you know, I moved to the state right next to it. I now visit Oregon at least twice a year, and every time I am still amazed by its beauty.

What To Pack When You Travel In Oregon

  • Sunscreen:  Super important and it is part of the ten essentials!   >Buy Sunscreen
  • Chapstick:  This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned!  >Check Out This Chapstick
  • Hiking Boots/Shoes:  If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before).  >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
  • Hiking socks:  Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there.   >Buy Hiking Socks
  • Water Reservoir:  Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste.  >Here Is My Water Reservoir
  • Water:  Stay nice and hydrated.
  • Sunglasses:  It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses.  >Check Out These Sunglasses
  • Snacks:  The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars.  >>>Love These Snacks Here
  • Camera:  The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.    >Buy Sony Camera Here
  • First Aid Kit:  This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable.  >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
  • Day Pack to carry all your things:  To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market.  >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
  • Headlamp:  A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight.  >Buy A Headlamp Now
  • Leggings or Hiking Pants:  I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with!  >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
  • Breathable sweat-wicking shirts : Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable.  >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
  • Mid Base Layer:  It can get chilly in Oregon even in the summer.  >Check Out My Sweater Here
  • Sports Bra:  For women.  >Check This One Here
  • Jacket:  I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency.   >Buy My Favorite Jacket
  • Rain Jacket:  The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket when you hike Oregon.  >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
  • Tripod:  This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures.  >Check out this tripod
  • Knife:  I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case.  >Check Out My Knife Here

road trip oregon

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7 Day Oregon Itinerary

If 10 days is too long, then I have made a smaller 7 day Oregon road trip. I have only listed my seven favorite spots.

4 Day Oregon Road Trip

Final thoughts on best oregon road trips.

Thanks for reading about road trips in Oregon! If you need other PNW inspiration, make sure to check out my other blog posts:

  • The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
  • Best Hikes In Washington State
  • 25 Amazing Oregon Waterfalls You Need To See Today
  • The Ultimate Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Road Trip
  • The Best Things To Do On The Oregon Coast
  • 16 Fun Things To Do In Astoria Oregon

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Oregon Road Trip: The Bucket-List Itinerary

April 10, 2021 //  by  Follow Me Away //   45 Comments

Planning the perfect Oregon road trip itinerary doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. No matter where you choose to visit in Oregon, whether it is taking an Oregon Coast road trip or visiting the cities and wineries, you are in for a real treat!

We like to call Oregon “The Iceland Of America” as it has so many similarities so if you have been dying to head to Iceland, why visit Oregon instead for a fraction of the cost? We have explored Oregon from top to bottom and have yet to be disappointed by a single place.

Oregon is a diverse state that offers something for everyone and this ultimate Oregon road trip itinerary hits all the best spots!

Our itinerary is written in a clockwise manner around the state, beginning and ending in the Portland area, but feel free to modify in any way or go completely against the grain and go counter-clockwise if you are a true rebel!

For this trip we are not going to specify an amount of time so that you can make the drive as time allows for your schedule. If you have 5-7 days for your Oregon itinerary, then modify this route to fit that length of time.

If you have 2 weeks, consider spending a few days in each location to really take in what Oregon has to offer. No matter what amount of time you choose to explore the state, this Oregon itinerary will not disappoint!

Under each stop, we will recommend the amount of time we suggest spending so you can choose to modify your itinerary accordingly during the planning phases of your trip! We will also provide you with a few different shorter road trip options depending on where you start your flight and if you are driving to Oregon from a nearby state!

Don’t forget to check out our Detailed Road Trip Packing List so you don’t forget any essentials for your trip!

girl running down a road in oregon with light rays

Table of Contents

Oregon Road Trip Map

To save you some time, we created this Oregon road trip map just for you. Simply click the link below and plug the map into your GPS.

This way you can see how you can modify this itinerary if necessary. Sometimes having a more visual idea of where you are going and what you are about to be doing is very helpful when planning your trip!

This Oregon road trip map will help you map out your stops, or at least get a ballpark of where they are located. Feel free to modify based on your interests. 

Click Here For Oregon Road Trip Map

google maps screen shot of a oregon road trip map showing stops including portland, mount hood, cannon beach and more

Start Your Oregon Road Trip By Flying Into Portland

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and also the most accessible to fly into to begin your Oregon road trip. There are both affordable international and domestic flights that fly into Portland. We recommend  checking out Skyscanner to find the best and most affordable flights into Oregon. We use this tool to discover the best flights for our trip because you can easily compare rates. 

If you want to save even more money, fly into a large city in California such as San Francisco and layover there and then fly up to Portland. This is a great way to connect more affordable if you are flying in from abroad. Even for Americans, the flights to Portland are generally quite affordable. We were able to fly to Portland from Tampa, Florida for $375 round trip per person which we think is quite good!

Alternatively, if you have a shorter amount of time to road trip Oregon and you want to cut this itinerary down or see something new, we recommend flying into the city of Eugene, Oregon. Eugene is centrally located so you can do either the “top half” of the state or the “bottom half” of the state more easily, depending on your schedule and desires.

Don’t forget to check out some of the Best Airbnbs In Oregon , from cute cabins to treehouses and more!

Flying into Eugene is a bit more expensive than Portland, which is why we are starting this itinerary from the big city! Plus, if you have never been to Oregon or Portland, it is a great introduction and place to get excited to see the rest of the state!

This is truly one of the Best Road Trips In The USA so you are in for a real treat!

the city of portland at twilight with mount hood in the background

Stop 1: Portland And The Columbia River Gorge

In case you didn’t know, the motto of the city is “Keep Portland Weird” so you really are going to want to stop in Portland for at least a day to check it out before you begin your Oregon road trip.

We stayed in Portland for 4 days and used it as a base to explore the nearby Columbia River Gorge [stop 2 on this itinerary] but you can choose to fly in, see the city, and then head out to the nature along the way if you prefer.

There is so much to see and do in Portland . We recommend visiting the world-famous Japanese Garden which will transport you to another culture. It will help you to get inspired before your Oregon trip begins. Washington Park is another great stop as well if you love the outdoors.

Where Portland really shines if the food scene. During your time in the city, check out some of the food carts! They have drawn international acclaim and once you take a bite, it is easy to see why! From sweets and crepes to Pho and comfort food, the food carts in Portland will not let you down!

If you have never checked out Voodoo Donut, it is a bit touristy but a classic! We promise you it is delicious and worth the wait. We even have a Voodoo Donut at Universal Orlando now so we can go whenever we have a craving!

Book Your Best of Portland Tour!

the witches castle in portland oregon covered by greenery

The Columbia River Gorge is a magical stretch of land no more than 45 minutes away from Portland! To explore it, you can either camp nearby, stay in Portland, or stay in the nearby town of Cascade Locks.

The Columbia River Gorge is filled with beautiful waterfalls and hikes and it is a must on any Oregon road trip.

Sadly, the Eagle Creek Fire burned a lot of our favorite Columbia Gorge stops so until the trails are back open, we can only recommend limited options!

We will update this post to reflect trail openings when they occur. Please be careful and never start fires in areas that are not allowed!

Best Columbia River Gorge Road Trip Stops

Multnomah Falls. Multnomah Falls is an Oregon itinerary classic! If you haven’t seen at least one photo of this popular waterfall, you are probably living under a rock.

Multnomah Falls is the most popular stop in the Columbia River Gorge area and it is easily accessible from the road. You can walk to the base of Multnomah Falls or you can choose to take a short hike and cross over the bridge that you see in all the photos.

We recommend taking the short hike as the view from the bridge is beautiful!

multnomah falls in oregon's river gorge on a sunny day

Latourell Falls. We love Latourell Falls because you can see basalt columns up close and personal, right in the United States, without ever having to travel to Iceland! 

Latourell Falls is the closest waterfall to Portland and makes a great first stop on your Oregon road trip. There is a Latourell Falls hike that is 2 miles, but you only have to walk a few feet from the parking lot to see the actual waterfall so don’t let the hike distance put you off from visiting!

Wachella Falls. We love Wachella Falls and highly recommend a visit! Wachella Falls is an easy 2.4 mile round trip hike to a beautiful waterfall. It is perfect for families or people like us who don’t want to hike for 12 miles to see beautiful things!

Wachella Falls is a great afternoon hike and the shade from the gorge protects you from the sun if it is a hot day! Pack a picnic lunch!

Book Your Columbia River Gorge Tour Here!

 Wahclella Falls in Oregon with greenery around it and sun

Recommended Time To Spend

  Depending on what you want to do in the Columbia River Gorge and if you are visiting the Columbia River Gorge from Portland or camping nearby, we recommend spending 1-2 days exploring the area especially if you want to do a lot of hiking. Set aside at least one day to explore Portland as well if you are looking for a city atmosphere.

If you are on a limited schedule, you can do the entire Columbia River Gorge area in one day on your way east from Portland if you must. If you plan to visit all in one day, we recommend starting that day of your Oregon road trip off early so you have enough time to see everything and still get to your next destination on time.

Best VRBO’s In Portland :

  • Affordable: Alberta Arts SilverStar cottage in Northeast Portland: Check Availability on VRBO.com
  • Mid-Range: Newly finished Nob Hill Condo w/ central location perfect for exploring city : Check Availability on VRBO.com

Best Hotels In Portland :

  • The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com  
  • Bluebird Guesthouse . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

Couple kissing at Wachella Falls in oregon with sun in the background

Stop 2: Explore Mount Hood Views

Mount Hood is the most famous mountain in Oregon and is actually a volcano! This is such a unique stop when you road trip Oregon and a must. Mount Hood is located a little over 2 hours away from Portland and you will pass through the Columbia River Gorge on your way there.

One of our favorite view at Mount Hood is from Trillium Lake. This lake is very easily accessible and a great spot to watch the sunset on Mount Hood or to shoot astrophotography.

If you want to do a bit more hiking, Lost Lake provides a similar view to Trillium Lake but takes a little more to get to. Mount Hood is the perfect stop on your eastern Oregon itinerary if you love adventure and the outdoors.

You can drive all the way up Mount Hood itself and there is a lodge at top. If you are planning a trip to Oregon during the winter or fall, Mount Hood may have snow and the peak is open for skiing! In the summer, there are many hikes that start from the lodge on top of the mountain.

Explore The Amazing Sights of Mt Hood! 

Mount Hood during sunset in Oregon

We recommend spending at least one night exploring the Mount Hood area. Mount Hood is centrally located between the Columbia River Gorge and Bend, your next stop, so if you just have to catch it as you pass by, that is okay too!

At a minimum, you should try and visit Trillium Lake for some wonderful mountain views as it is one of the nicest places to see in Oregon!

Mount Hood is also home to some epic treehouses and some of the coolest Vacation Rentals In Oregon!

Best VRBO’s Near Mount Hood:

  • Affordable: Private cabin w/ hot tub & wood stove, near Mt. Hood! . Check Availability on VRBO .com
  • Mid-Range: Secluded Waterfront Lodge on 24 Wooded Acres : Check Availability on VRBO .com

Best Hotels Near Mount Hood:

  • Located ON Mount Hood: Timberline Lodge . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com
  • Affordable Option: Best Western Mount Hood . Check Rates On Hotels.com

hiking on Timberline Trail at Oregon's Mount Hood with mountain in the background

Stop 3: Painted Hills And Smith Rock

Did you think you were going to see desert during your Oregon road trip? The Oregon Desert actually takes up most of the state, it just doesn’t get much love when people are looking for places to visit in Oregon.

We recommend getting an early start as the Painted Hills are a bit out of the way and it takes about three hours to reach them from the Mount Hood area.

The Painted Hills are very unique and in a very rural area of Oregon so we highly recommend making sure your gas tank is completely full before venturing out.

When visiting the Painted Hills in Oregon, we recommend doing the Painted Cove Trail and the Painted Hills Overlook. This is the desert so if you are visiting Oregon during the summer, you are going to want to bring extra protection and lots of water!

The Painted Hills are nice just to drive around if you don’t want to do any of the walks.

Finally, don’t ever step off the approved trail as these locations are very fragile and even one set of footprints will ruin the landscape. If you are looking to save time on your Oregon itinerary consider skipping the Painted Hills and heading straight to Smith Rock.

Painted Hills in Oregon with a sunny blue sky background

If you have never heard of Smith Rock State Park , you are in for a real treat! This is the true desert on your eastern Oregon road trip and a hiker and rock climbers paradise!

We recommend visiting either during sunrise or sunset if you want to beat the heat. Smith Rock is one of the places to see in the state that you shouldn’t miss and it needs to top any road trip to Oregon!

Smith Rock State Park is located just 40 minutes from the adorable city of Bend, Oregon and about 1 hour from the Painted Hills so it is easy to do both all in one day. That being said, many more serious hikers and climbers choose to spend multiple days exploring Smith Rock State Park during their trips.

If you are like us and don’t like to hike, simply visiting Smith Rock and walking around will be enough for you. Believe it or not, “the view” is accessible right from the parking lot so if you don’t want to go on a long hike, you don’t have to!

We were honestly quite surprised that the more famous view could be seen right from the parking lot and quite pleased about it too! If you are looking for a hike, the Misery Ridge Hike is a popular choice and it is quite steep and strenuous so wear proper hiking gear. This hike will take you to the top of Smith Rock for memorable views as far as the eye can see.

When you are done exploring the area, we recommend spending the night in Bend, Oregon! You will love the brewpub culture and delicious food and cute downtown!

smith rock at sunset, one of the best stops on an oregon road trip itinerary

We recommend spending at least one full day of your Oregon Road Trip exploring the Painted Hills and Smith Rock State Park. They can both be completed in a day if you leave early.

If you don’t have the time or if you want to hike or climb, consider staying the night and spending the day in Smith Rock State Park. Otherwise, one day should be enough time to hit both and spend the night in Bend.

Best VRBO ‘s Near Bend Oregon

  • Affordable: Historic Belle Millhouse Check Availability on VRBO .com
  • Mid-Range: Modern home with fantastic view of Bend. Check Availability on VRBO .com

Best Hotels Near Bend Oregon:

  • Classic: DoubleTree By Hilton Bend . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com
  • Budget: Cascade Lodge . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

Person with long hair sitting on top of Misery Ridge at Smith Rock State Park in Oregon

Stop 4: Oregon Waterfalls And Hot Springs Near Eugene

After Bend, you will head through a stunningly rugged mountain pass that is now a lava field as far as the eye can see. This is a great photo opportunity as lava fields aren’t a prevalent thing in the United States and it is unique to see one up close!

Once you cross through the lava field, you will pass from the desert into a beautiful lush forest. This is one of our favorite parts of this Oregon itinerary and you are going to love it!

Proxy Falls

As you descend the mountain pass through the lava field, you will enter the forest that is home to the stunning Proxy Falls! Proxy Falls is our favorite waterfall on this Oregon road trip and it is one of the best places to visit in the state

This waterfall is breathtaking in person and you really can’t tell how large it is until you get up close and in person!

Proxy Falls Loop Trail is a well-trafficked 1.6-mile trail. It is well-marked and we would consider this trail to be “easy.” It winds through a beautiful forest and down along a mossy lava field before you arrive at Proxy Falls.

We recommend taking the trail for “Lower Proxy Falls” which will bring you to the base. Please be warned: the final hike down to Lower Proxy Falls is quite steep so it may not be accessible for everyone. If you can’t hike all the way to the base, there are a few lovely viewpoints where you can see the entire falls without the steep downhill hike.

Person in a red jacket standing at the base of Proxy Falls in Oregon USA

Sahalie And Koosah Falls

After you finish visiting Proxy Falls, continue to Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls. These waterfalls are located along the crystal blue McKenzie River and are some of the best the state of Oregon has to offer.

Both Sahalie and Koosah Falls are very easily accessible from the parking lot and there is virtually no hike at all to see these stunning waterfalls!

If you are short on time during your Oregon trip or if you spent too long at another stop, don’t skip these waterfalls because you can quickly peek and be on your way.

Of course, we do recommend stopping and spending time viewing them if you have it because they are just so breathtaking. Sahalie Falls come thundering down over a ledge and Koosah Falls end in a perfectly blue pool of water.

Yes, the water at the bottom of Koosah Falls really does look that blue, it is not just fancy editing which is why both of these waterfalls make noteworthy stops!

Man standing at the base of a rushing river with Koosah Falls in the background

Tamolitch Blue Pool

Tamolitch Blue Pool is one of the best places to visit in Oregon if you are looking for something unique and totally different during your trip!

Tamolitch Blue Pool is located along the McKenzie River Trail and is quite the beauty! This pool is crystal clear to the point that it appears to only be a few feet deep. In reality, it is closer to 30-40 feet deep!

Tamolitch Blue Pool is marked as one of the best swimming holes in the world, but this is false and you should beware! The water in Tamolitch Blue Pool, although beautiful, is extremely cold, in the 30’s and is not meant for swimming. The forest service regularly has to save people who have jumped in and been shocked by the cold water.

Plus, swimming in Tamolitch Blue Pool will ruin it because of the oils on your clothes and skin as well as your makeup or sunscreen. When visiting the Tamolitch Blue Pool, we urge you to look with your eyes and not jump in the water for both your sake and the environment.

Tamolitch Blue Pool with very calm waters, one of the best Oregon itinerary stops

Terwilliger Hot Springs

Since we are on a “blue” theme, Terwilliger Hot Springs is an interesting addition to your itinerary. These Oregon hot springs are tucked away in the mountains in the McKenzie River area and look like something out of a storybook.

They are clear blue pools heated by the lava underneath the volcanic mountain and you have a view of the forest while you soak. There are also multiple different pools so you can stay in as warm or cool as you like depending on your preference.

That being said, nudity is allowed at Terwilliger Hot Springs and if you decide to make this a stop, you need to be prepared. Read about our experience here! You can choose to don swimsuits as we did, but other bathers may not so you need to make sure to be respectful.

There are even families with kids at Terwilliger Hot Springs, despite the nudity [it’s just a body anyway, right?] so keep that in mind when deciding if this stop is right for you when you road trip Oregon.

Before you go, read our guide on Everything You Need To Know About Nude Hot Springs In Oregon

Terwilliger Hot Springs in Oregon with a little bit of snow and nobody around

Visit Eugene For Brew And Foodie Culture

You will spend the night in Eugene, Oregon which is the hub for central Oregon. If you want to, you can choose to fly into Eugene instead of Portland to begin your Oregon road trip itinerary if you have already explored north and east Oregon.

There are so many delicious places to eat in Eugene and we particularly love the 5th Street Public Market. It is a unique little area with shops and dining. Keep in mind that Eugene is a college town when planning your Oregon trip so there may be a college football game during your stay.

This is a very busy time for Eugene so be sure to plan ahead with lodging options as it can fill up quickly.

We highly recommend spending at least 1 night in Eugene and giving the entire McKenzie River area 2 full days to explore.

You may want to use Eugene as a “base” to explore the next two stops or continue on and stay in the heart of each future stop. Since the next two stops are nearby, Eugene may have affordable lodging options.

Best VRBO ‘s Near Eugene: 

  • Affordable: Modern Garden Oasis in Heart of Eugene. Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: Beautiful House w/ large patio to enjoy the outdoors Check Availability on VRBO .com

Best Hotels Near Eugene: 

  • Centrally Located: Inn At The 5th Eugene . Check Prices On Booking.com | Hotels.com
  • Affordable\Good Location: Days In Eugene . Check Prices On Booking.com | Hotels.com

the city of Eugene Oregon in the valley with mountains around it

Stop 5: Wine In The Willamette Valley

If you love wine, you are going to  love the Willamette Valley! The Willamette Valley is home to over 500 wineries and is second only to Napa Valley in the United States for the production of wine.

Sounds pretty crazy, right? We thought so too until we actually saw what a Willamette Valley winery looked like! The Willamette Valley is 150 miles long and you can either stay in a local bed and breakfast in the valley or use Eugene as your base.

We visited King Estate Winery and were majorly impressed, and we aren’t even huge winos! King Estate Winery is literally like being in Tuscany, Italy! The landscaping, the vineyards, the huge manor house all come together to transport you to Italy when you are really in Oregon!

There are 499 other wineries in the Willamette Valley to discover too! If you are into wine, you can spend a good portion of your Oregon road trip sipping wine and eating cheese and crackers.

Skip The Line On This Wine Tasting Experience! 

If you just want to experience the Willamette Valley on your Oregon road trip and aren’t hugely into wine, you can spend a morning or afternoon exploring the wineries.

If you are a big wino, you could easily spend 1-2 full days in the Willamette Valley wine region because there is so much to see and do!

It totally depends on what trip you want to do! You may even want to skip this stop all together if wine and Tuscany-looking regions aren’t your thing!

Best VRBO ‘s Near The Willamette Valley: 

  • Affordable: BunkHouse Retreat at Minto-Brown Island Salem Oregon . Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: The River Retreat Check Availability on VRBO .com

Where To Stay In The Willamette Valley:

LANZAROTTA Bed and Breakfast . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com  

Relax And Sip Some Wine In The Willamette Valley during your Oregon road trip itinerary

Stop 6: Covered Bridges In Cottage Grove

Cottage Grove is a hidden gem along your Oregon trip and we highly recommend paying the little town a visit. Cottage Grove is located less than 45 minutes away from Eugene, so if you want to pop over for a day trip, it is easily accessible.

Now you may think that covered bridges are boring, like we initially did, but we promise you they are super fun and a unique piece of history. Plus, Oregon is home to the most covered bridges west of the Mississippi!

Cottage Grove is home to a covered bridges trail and you can choose to either drive your car, or take a bike along the road and visit them all. We recommend driving and getting out at each covered bridge. There are covered bridges located right in the heart of Cottage Grove and others that you need to see by driving a bit outside of town.

Check out our post on 5 Things To Know Before Visiting Covered Bridges In Oregon for a little more information before you go! You can also check out this handy covered bridges map so you can easily find them during your visit!

While you are in the Cottage Grove area, you may want to get off the beaten path, even more, to visit some lesser-known waterfalls once you are done hunting covered bridges. The waterfalls are Pinard Falls, Spirit Falls, and Moon Falls and they are all located within 45 minutes of Cottage Grove.

Each waterfall is located down a small dirt road high in the Umpqua Forest and requires a short and steep moderate downhill hike to get to. Find more info about Waterfall Wandering In Cottage Grove Here!

woman standing at the base of Pinard Falls in Oregon

We suggest spending at least 1-day exploring Cottage Grove during your trip to Oregon!

If hidden waterfalls and covered bridges don’t sound interesting to you and you wish to skip Cottage Grove, that is just fine! But if you want to explore the area, you are going to need at least one full day to do it justice!

Best VRBO ‘s Near Cottage Grove Oregon: 

  • Affordable: Wine Country Villa Guest House Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range:  Hilltop Paradise Check Availability on VRBO .com

Where To Stay In Cottage Grove Oregon:

  • Local And Affordable: The Village Green . Check Rates On Hotels.com
  • Classic: Best Western Cottage Grove. Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com  

Drive Through Covered Bridges On Your Oregon Road Trip In Cottage Grove

Stop 7: Oregon Caves National Monument

Did you know that there are caves in Oregon? The Oregon Caves are the most detailed cave system west of the Mississippi and something that you shouldn’t miss.

The Oregon Caves are on our list of top photography locations in Oregon and for a good reason. The Oregon Caves can be accessed from the small town of Cave Junction along highway 199. Once you turn off the road it is quite a long and winding drive up to the Oregon Caves.

Keep in mind that the caves are cold and damp so dress appropriately. This is a great stop if you are traveling with kids as the kids love the Caves and there are lots of programs just for them including Junior Ranger programs and Ranger-led walks. If you don’t have warm clothes, the Ranger Center has free jackets that you can wear when exploring the caves. 

  We suggest spending between 1-3 hours exploring the Oregon Caves! That should be enough time to visit the caves and enjoy the Visitor Center. 

If you aren’t interested in the caves, you can skip it and head straight for the coast! You may even want to just focus on the coast, and if that is the case, we have an Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary too!

Best VRBO ‘s Near Grants Pass 

  • Affordable: The Vintage Cottage with riverfront access Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: River Front Property with great view! Check Availability on VRBO .com

Where To Stay In Grant’s Pass [Closest City To Oregon Caves]:

  • The Lodge At Riverside . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com
  • Redwood Hyperion Suites . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

Oregon caves are a wonderful oregon road trip stop

Stop 8: Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor  

The  Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is our absolute favorite part of this Oregon road trip itinerary. We love this little slice of the Oregon Coast and it is essentially a mini-road trip within this larger road trip.

There are over eleven awesome stops in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and each one of them has something unique to offer.

Our favorite part of Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is Natural Bridges and Secret Beach. We have been back to each of these places multiple times and each time we are stunned at the beauty and scale of each of these stops. 

If you are looking for exactly how to find the best viewpoints at Natural Bridges and how specifically to find Secret Beach make sure to click here and find the name . We include a detailed breakdown on exactly how to find the best spots! 

Best Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor Stops :

  • Arch Rock (Mile 344.8) 
  • Secret Beach (Between Mile Marker 344-345)
  • Spruce Island (Mile 345.0)
  • Thunder Rock Cove (Mile 345.8)
  • Natural Bridges (Mile 346.0)
  • North Island (Mile 347.4)
  • Thomas Creek Bridge (Mile 347.8)
  • Indian Sands (Mile 348.6)
  • Whaleshead Overlook (Mile 349.3)
  • House Rock (Mile 351.2)
  • Cape Ferrelo (Mile 351.9)
  • Lone Ranch Picnic Area (Mile 352.6)

You can read this post for more detail if you want information on how to find each stop!

walking on a natural bridge at the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor on your Oregon coast road trip

  Some people head through Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor in a single day. We personally think that this is way too fast BUT if you are pressed for time and you only have one day it is still 100% worth the stop.

If you are looking for a more detailed experience we always recommend between 2-3 days here because there are so many hikes and stops along the Corridor. We have even spent as long as 4-5 days here so you know that it is just a really fantastic stop along the Oregon Coast!

Best VRBO ‘s Near Samuel H. Boardman: 

Affordable: Romantic log home. Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: JAW-DROPPING VIEW in Brookings. Check Availability on VRBO .com

Hotels Near Samuel H. Boardman:

Brookings Inn Resort . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

Gold Beach Manor. Check Rates On Booking.com 

A view of Indian sands in Oregon

Stop 9: Bandon And Florence Beaches

After you leave Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor located on the southern Oregon coast, you are going to be visiting some wonderful stops on the mid-southern coast.

This is a stunning part of the Oregon road trip itinerary and Bandon is our second favorite sto p along the Oregon Coast. Bandon is such an underrated stop and the beach is everything you would hope for a Pacific Northwest beach.

Bandon Beach is home to towering sea stacks, sea caves, tide pools, and walking trails. It offers so much to see and do and you are in for a real treat. If you can, make sure to go at low tide so you can walk into the sea caves. Just be sure to not stay out there too long because you wouldn’t want to be stuck in rising water during your visit!

Best VRBO ‘s In Bandon: 

Affordable: Cypress Row Vacation Suite . Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: Surf Song: Amazing ocean views of Face Rock Beach Check Availability on VRBO .com

Where To Stay In Bandon:

La Kris Inn . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

woman walking at Face Rock in Bandon Oregon during sunset

Once you are done in Bandon, head to Florence which marks the middle point of the Oregon Coast. Florence is such a quaint town and really evokes a vintage flair which is the best part of the town. Another unique location? The Oregon Sand Dunes located right to the south of Florence!

We told you that this Oregon trip would cover almost every type of landscape imaginable and the Oregon Sand Dunes are so much fun to explore and see. We recommend spending the night in Florence before you head on to the next part of your visit!

Finally, make sure to stop at Thor’s Well, about 30 minutes north of Florence, either while you are staying in the town or while you proceed along to the northern Oregon coast. 

driving the dunes at Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area on your Oregon coast road trip

  We recommend spending one day in Bandon and one day in Florence. If you don’t have two days, then spend one night in Bandon and drive through Florence with stops at the Oregon Sand Dunes and Thor’s Well.

Seeing the sunset on the beach in Bandon is a must-do and we highly recommend it! Even if you just drive through these areas if you are doing a modified version of this trip, make sure you at least make a quick stop! 

Best VRBO ‘s Near Florence: 

Affordable: Ocean Front Cottage. Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: Gorgeous riverfront house. Check Availability on VRBO .com

Where To Stay In Florence:

Driftwood Shores Resort . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

Thor's Well is a wonderful Oregon coast stop

Stop 10: Cape Kiwanda And Cannon Beach

Cape Kiwanda and Cannon Beach are a few hours away from each other and offer similar yet unique experiences. Cape Kiwanda is famous for a huge sea stack that sits out in the water. Here, you can drive straight onto the beach when allowed and then you can walk along the sand dunes so you can explore and hike.

When you visit Cape Kiwanda, we recommend taking your shoes off and walking around in bare feet. If you hike in shoes up the sand dunes, they will fill up with sand and your feet will get bogged down making it uncomfortable and hard to walk.

Ask us how we know….because we did it and we don’t want you to make this mistake while road tripping Oregon!

Best VRBO ‘s Near Cape Kiwanda: 

Affordable: Kiwanda Cabana Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: Best Ocean Views Outside Pacific City Check Availability on VRBO .com

Where To Stay In Cape Kiwanda:

Inn At Cape Kiwanda . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

waves at Cape Kiwanda on your Oregon coast road trip

Cannon Beach is 1.5 hours north of Cape Kiwanda and is the furthest north you will visit on your Oregon road trip. Like Cape Kiwanda, Cannon Beach is home to a massive sea stack that sits right off the beach. Unlike Cape Kiwanda, the sea stack at Cannon Beach is much closer to the beach so you can really feel the presence of the towering rock.

We highly recommend putting both of these stops on your Oregon itinerary because at Cape Kiwanda the rocks are further out in the water and there are more hikes. At Cannon Beach, the rocks are right near the beach and the coast isn’t rocky but is much flatter and more of a regular beach to walk along. 

Explore The Beautiful Oregon Coast On This Day Tour!

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach on your Oregon road trip

  We suggest spending a few hours in Cape Kiwanda and then spending the night in Cannon Beach. If you are looking to do some serious hiking at Cape Kiwanda, then you are going to want to build in a bit more time to your day.

If you start early, you should easily have enough time to hit both Cape Kiwanda and Cannon Beach all in one day on your itinerary. Cannon Beach is a very popular seaside town so it is a great way to end your Oregon road trip with a walk along the beach and some relaxation before flying home.

Best VRBO ‘s Near Cannon Beach: 

Affordable: Cozy Cottage Near Cannon Beach . Check Availability on VRBO .com Mid-Range: Bright & intimate dog-friendly oceanside home Check Availability on VRBO .com

Where To Stay At Cannon Beach:

Great Views: Inn At Haystack Rock . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com

Affordable: Ocean Front Motel . Check Rates On Booking.com | Hotels.com  

Haystack Rock in the background with homes in the front on an oregon itinerary

End Your Oregon Road Trip In Portland 

Once you are finished exploring Cannon Beach, you have less than a two-hour drive to get back to Portland.

This drive is very easy and quite scenic. We love how you can see the progression as you leave the beachy coast of Oregon and head up through the mountains before coming through a tunnel and arriving back in Portland.

If you didn’t have enough time to explore Portland at the beginning of your Oregon road trip itinerary, now is a great time to have a day or two to yourself.

If you are flying out the same day you leave Cannon Beach, the drive from Cannon Beach to Portland is very easy with little traffic so as long as you leave enough time, you should have enough time to make it to the airport in time for your flight. 

view of a car driving along a road in oregon with dark and moody trees

Packing Tips For Oregon:

Here are some of our favorite items that you should consider packing for your trip to Oregon! These are essential travel items that we use and love and you should make sure to consider for your travels. 

A  concealed travel pouch  may be one of the most important items you bring with you! This  unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is  lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind. You can keep your most valuable documents safe and secure next to your body.

If you have a pouch already you may not want to or need to invest in a new one. If it does not come with the  RFID protection , these  RFID  sleeves  would be handy to prevent identity theft.

If you have a camera on your packing list, you need to add additional  memory cards  on your list as well. Unless you are packing a computer for your trip, you will not be able to upload photos and clear your existing memory card. Purchasing additional memory cards   cost under $20  and take up no space in your luggage.

Similarly, If you are planning to capture your trip on a smartphone, we beg you to bring some way to back up your memories. The best way to do this is with a  portable smartphone flash drive . A flash drive is a small storage device that you can connect up to your smartphone and then safely and easily download the photos onto this device. 

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an  external charging battery . This  Anker high-speed phone charging battery  is the exact one we carry with us on all of my trips . It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone like we have.

My mom was never a fan of  packing cubes  until she tried them out! Now she is sold .  These Bagail packing cubes   are  the exact ones she uses whenever she travels and she travels a lot. She cannot believe how much more organized she is now! And she will never leave without them anymore.

We never leave home on a trip without our  Bobble filtration bottle.  The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and it will fit nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse. Also when filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the Bobble carbon  filter  ensures fresh clean water whenever and wherever you fill the Bobble. You can find  filter replacements here. 

Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium. Then this  set of collapsible silicone foldable water bottles  would work well for you. Would not take up much space in your suitcase at all. And you will be receiving a set of two.

You will want to bring a  backpack or daypack  with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. This   foldable water-resistant backpack  would be great. It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.

Perhaps you need a more substantial  backpack  for your international travel. This  antitheft backpack   has a charging port, is water-resistant and can comfortably carry up to a 15.6″ laptop. It comes in a range of colors to choose from and it is inexpensive as well. 

We all need to  protect our eyes  from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays. These  unisex polarized sunglasses   come in a lot of lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable too.

If you are fond of the  aviator-style of sunglasses  these polarized aviators may interest you. We like polarized sunglasses because they remove the glare off the water and help you to see things more clearly. 

Don’t forget to bring along a  universal power adapter  if you are traveling abroad. This  worldwide   power plug  is a great example and will charge your phone at the end of your busy days. And this  world traveler adapter kit   can charge several devices at the same time.

Oregon is our favorite state and we really hope you enjoy this Oregon road trip itinerary as much as we enjoyed our many visits to this beautiful state! No matter if you are looking for coastal waters or waterfalls or hot springs, Oregon has something for everyone and will surprise you around every turn! 

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Reader Interactions

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May 4, 2019 at 4:15 pm

this is so helpful! would you be able to share places to stay or where you stayed along the way?

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May 5, 2019 at 1:53 pm

We stayed in a variety of Aribnbs and also hotels. If you have a place you are looking at [a city for example] we can try and remember where we stayed! We should update this post with all that information! Sorry we haven’t!

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May 6, 2019 at 1:36 pm

planning a july trip. DO you know if we could route this to include Crater lake but keep around the same time frame if we were to skip Eugene, Willamette and Cottage Grove?

May 6, 2019 at 10:04 pm

Yes that is totally doable!!! And keeping it around the same time!

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October 8, 2020 at 2:27 pm

Hi. I want to thank you for your great road trip guide. We did this trip in summer 2019 in an Rv in 3 weeks. A beautiful state, very friendly people. Our kids loved it. We liked Omsi science museum in Portland for kids. Kings wine estate was an experience for us and kids to. Did spent lots of time in Powel book store. Thanks again. Warm greetings from Aruba, Joost

October 8, 2020 at 2:39 pm

Enjoy!!!!! It is so much fun! Thanks for commenting!

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May 23, 2021 at 2:25 pm

We would like to do this in 10 or 11 days, but thinking of eliminating Eugene for Crater lake as well. We really love Hiking and the animals, photography. With that being said should we eliminate Eugene and replace with crater? Also want to dig for a day for Sunstone so what area would require 2 nts to do so?? . Thanks, Lisa

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May 24, 2019 at 12:36 pm

Cannon beach is gorgeous. Stop at Tillamook for some ice cream. Drift Creek Falls is a nice hike to a suspension bridge. Heceta Head Lighthouse, Hobbit trail to the beach. Sisters, Oregon is a cute little town. Trillion Lake. We did so much more in a week. I planned it all thru Pinterest but due to wildfires, Gorge was closed. Can be reached for more info and pics

May 24, 2019 at 1:42 pm

YES! Pinterest is such a great resource!

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May 24, 2019 at 8:44 pm

This is an awesome itinerary. Planning to go July mid. Is it a good time to do Oregon? Can I know how many days trip is this? from the day you guys land to when you flew back? What places did you guys spend the nights? We will plan the similar way.

May 24, 2019 at 11:18 pm

You can do it as long or short as you want. We flew in and out of Portland and took two weeks to do it. Another time we flew into Eugene and did the bottom half of this itinerary and just looped back around in 2 weeks too but we like to spend a long time at each destination. You can do it shorter if you don’t want to spend multiple days seeing each thing!

May 24, 2019 at 10:43 pm

Nancy Can you share your itinerary? We are going for a week and wanted to cover everything in Oregon.

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May 27, 2019 at 6:12 pm

Planning a week in June/July, want to see as much as possible, probably skip the eastern Oregon things, can you share itinerary you did? Where should we make sure and see?

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May 28, 2019 at 12:42 pm

Great reviews and tips! So many of these places are on my list!

I’m heading to Oregon/CA for 2 weeks this summer with my husband and son and am planning the following… Columbia River Gorge 2 nights, Mt Hood 1 night, Bend 2 nights, Crater Lake 2 nights, Redwoods/Klamath 4 nights, Yachats 2 nights. Then we have a final day to head back to Portland for the flight out… so, question for all… would it be better to continue up the coast from Yachats toward Seaside and spend the last night in the state on the beach or head inland and spend our final day touring wineries in the valley?

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June 18, 2019 at 1:45 am

I live in Oregon. I vote go inland.

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June 22, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Definitely go inland and explore the Willamette Valley! It’s beautiful during the summer and McMinnville has beautiful wineries and tasting rooms. Go to Durant Farms, the view is stunning!!!

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September 20, 2020 at 2:48 am

This is crap. You claim it to be an “Oregon” road TRIP but it is nothing more than a northwest Oregon trip. There is no central Oregon, and there is definitely not anything closely related to eastern Oregon. Stop claiming something

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June 8, 2019 at 10:25 pm

This was the perfect itinerary for my trip to oregon – barely did any planning other than reading up on here and a little more for each place! We did a 6 day trip, cutting out a few things but loved every minute of this trip! Thanks for sharing!!

June 8, 2019 at 10:33 pm

That is SO AWESOME to hear! And exactly why we designed it this way! Cut out what you want or don’t have time for and do the rest!

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June 21, 2019 at 5:50 pm

You COMPLETELY missed Eastern Oregon!!! And, in my opinion, you missed some of the best gems of the state! i.e. The Steens Mountains! Owyhee Canyon Country! Joseph, Oregon and the Imnaha’s. To bad! More for the rest of us! 🙂

June 22, 2019 at 12:35 pm

We can only write on what we have seen and been to or else it wouldn’t be fair 🙂

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December 19, 2019 at 5:23 pm

Agree 100%! There are so many things to see in Eastern Oregon: Jon Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Painted Hills are part of), Pendleton Underground Tours, stunning views along Hwy 395, Wallowa Lake and Mt. Howard, Hells Canyon, Baker City and Sumpter, Rome Pinnacles, Owyhee River Gorge, Steens Mountain (breathtaking!), Alvord Desert, Crack-in-the-ground, Hole-in-the-ground, Newberry Crater National Monument (obsidian flow, lava tube cave, lava cast forest) and so many more! And a side note: we here in Eastern Oregon really don’t consider Bend to be a part of EO; Bend is Central Oregon! 🙂

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June 22, 2019 at 3:15 pm

Love this! I will return and print out maps. Thanks so much

June 22, 2019 at 4:49 pm

You should also come and visit McMinnville, Oregon if you’re into wine tastings they have some beautiful vineyards and amazing views if you know where to look! (I don’t live there I just think it’s beautiful.)

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October 23, 2019 at 3:39 pm

Hello This is awesome. Just reading about motivated for me to do this road trip. We are planning to do this during the thanks giving time. I know it is not the best time but just want to do it as much as we can. We waited so long to go to Oregon so now we thought we will start off. Do you have any suggestions or recomendations. Thank you

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June 23, 2019 at 1:02 pm

We are heading to Eugene in July and will have 5 days do day trips. Eugene will be our hub each night. What do you suggest as must see locations? Thanks. We have seen Florence and Cottage Crove on a prievous trip. I love wine!

June 24, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Oh gosh so many! Def Proxy Falls, Terwilliger Hot springs, Koosah and Salahie. If you can, make it up to Salem and silver falls state park. You can also go to Smith Rock its far but amazing!

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July 4, 2019 at 2:28 am

Man, if you ever edit or add to this Ashland has to be on that list. Best small town in Oregon, the food, the hikes, the Shakespeare festival!

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July 30, 2019 at 8:26 am

Planning a week in December, want to see the beautiful scenes, probably skip the west part of Oregon . What should be the best place to stay there ?

July 30, 2019 at 2:11 pm

Hello! We recommend hotels for each and every stop on this list! Please let us know if there is a specific area you don’t see! If it isn’t on this list it is probably something we aren’t super familiar with! Thanks1

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September 10, 2019 at 2:44 pm

Great information! Planning an anniversary trip in September and want to see the Coast, Columbia River Gorge, and Willamette Valley and whatever else we can fit in to our schedule. Arriving early to Portland on a Thursday morning. Do you suggest we head to the coast right away and head south to avoid crowds there and work our way back to Portland from Bandon to fly home on Tuesday evening? Not sure how to plan our itinerary to dodge weekend traveler crowds. Of course, I am sure we will need to plan another trip to see more of this beautiful state.

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October 18, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Can anyone help? We are visiting Portland for only 3 full days. Any ideas for a condensed road trip? We are flying in on a Thursday afternoon. We have Fri-Sun for full travel days and then need to be in Portland to fly out very early in the AM on Monday. This is taking place next week so October. We have already been to Astoria, Cannon Beach and the surrounding areas a few years ago. So we don’t need to hit up those areas. Oregon is so beautiful that we want to go back. And I’m the type of person that usually wants something new and don’t visit a place twice. Love this state!

October 18, 2019 at 4:07 pm

I recommend the Columbia River Groge and Mount Hood. OR Head down to Salem and the amazing waterfalls in that area like Silver Falls State Park! Have fun!

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October 22, 2019 at 7:56 pm

It’s November a good month to do this trip?

October 24, 2019 at 2:07 pm

Yes! It will be cooler out but should be a lovely time and very moody and misty!

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January 20, 2020 at 1:56 am

Um hello? You forgot Crater Lake! One of the most important bucket list locations in Oregon! I would suggest driving to Grants Pass and the Oregon Caves from Bend via the Crater Lake route/Medford. Much better than cutting through Eugene. From a lifelong Oregonian.

January 20, 2020 at 2:15 pm

Thanks for sharing!! I’ve actually NEVER BEEN to Crater Lake despite all of our trips so I would feel weird suggesting a place in Oregon we had not been!!!

May 23, 2021 at 2:26 pm

May 23, 2021 at 11:04 pm

Totally suggest the eugene area for hiking! So many epic waterfalls nearby! I would eliminate crater lake and go for Eugene region for hiking! lots of good stuff!

May 24, 2021 at 5:33 pm

Thanks! Do you know if we can add the day or half day of digging for sunstone on this itinerary? The one mine is located near Plush Oregon. Lisa

May 24, 2021 at 11:46 pm

I am not familiar with this activity but Plush is VERY far away from anything on this itinerary. It is in the southeast corner of the state. I would suggest skipping it and choosing something else fun!

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July 8, 2022 at 11:58 am

Does it make sense to start in Portland, drive to Eugene while doing all the things listed in between Portland and Eugene and then driving back up to Cannon Beach and flying out of Portland all in 6 days? Would that be a good trip or should I add/subtract some?

July 16, 2022 at 5:11 pm

I think it is fine to do all of these things! I would cut off samuel H boardman in 6 days as it is too far south, but the rest is very doable and I have done that exact same trip before!!!! Thank you!

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road trip oregon

The Perfect Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: 30 Stops & 3 Maps!

Post Summary: The Ultimate Oregon Road Trip Itinerary According To A PNW Local

Are you a Pacific Northwest local, looking to get your fix of the desert ? While someplace like Sedona hiking trails sounds awesome, you might be looking for something a little closer to home. 

Oh have we got the perfect west coast road trip for you!

May we present to you, Eastern Oregon.  Eastern Oregon is mostly known for the Alvord Desert, Pendleton, and the Painted Hills . However, there is so much more to explore here! That’s why we’re sharing with you some of our own favorite Eastern Oregon places to visit. 

By the end of this post, you’ll be able to connect these epic destinations in one complete road trip route. With our “secret” spots scattered in between, you’ll soon have the ultimate Eastern Oregon road trip itinerary. 

Let’s get started!

Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

What Areas Are We Covering On This Eastern Oregon Road Trip?

Eastern Oregon is the largest region in Oregon state , covering pretty much the entire eastern half of all Oregon’s mass. 

The lonely, vast desert landscape covers the southeast. The northeast has deep gorges, semi-arid mountain regions, and quirky Western towns . All parts of Eastern Oregon have incredible geological features scattered across the area.

From the barren Alvord Desert,  to the colorful rocks of the Painted Hills , there is so much to see! Eastern Oregon will give you a new insight into the diversity of the Pacific Northwest. In this Eastern Oregon road trip itinerary, you will have a newfound appreciation for the desert…a surprising thing to discover in the PNW!

Eastern Oregon Map

Great! So Where Do I Start My Eastern Oregon Road Trip?

The easiest place to start your Eastern Oregon road trip is in Bend, Oregon . Here, you can grab just about anything you need for your time out in the dry landscape. 

Bend, Oregon is an adventure town, known for its rock climbers, ski bums, and breweries. There are also tons of good places to grab food, or stock up on groceries for your road trip around Eastern Oregon. 

Here, you can also rent recreational vehicles if you want to drive something a little beefier than a regular sedan. We recommend looking for the perfect one to rent on Outdoorsy – it’s like Airbnb but for RVs. You can choose anything from giant Motorhomes to cute airstreams, and even Westfalias!

Berty driving Around Eastern Oregon

Preparing For Your Road Trip Around Eastern Oregon

Before you completely go out of cell service range, it’s important to download a few key navigation apps . Here are some tools we use on every road trip around the Pacific Northwest:

The Dyrt:   The Dyrt is the largest campground finding app on the market! You can filter camping spots to find the perfect one that fits all your preferences before you even visit. Pro members get access to offline browsing, trip planners, and our favorite – BLM and national forest boundary maps . Try their pro membership free for 30-days when using our code MANDAGIES !

Google Offline Maps: For navigation without cell service, it’s important to download maps offline so you can continue to find your way. Find out how to download offline maps and discover more useful road trip planner tools here !

Podcasts: In addition to the perfect road trip playlists, we like to arm ourselves with a plethora of road trip podcasts ! From mystery to comedy, news to gossip, we’re sharing all our favorites here.

The Perfect Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary To Stoke Your Desert-Loving Spirit

Exploring Oregon's Painted Hills. TheMandagies.com @themandagies

  • Day 1: Bend, Oregon to Painted Hills

Start off your Eastern Oregon road trip in Bend. This will allow you to get all the road trip essentials you will need for your journey. (Don’t forget to put together your roadside emergency tool kit too !)The city has everything from grocery stores to REI (for any last-minute gear purchases!), and even epic campervan rentals and local hikes! 

Spend some time exploring Bend before you head off on your trip. A great day trip from Bend would be the trail to Tumalo Falls . This 2.4-mile out and back trail is an easy, low elevation trail to one of Oregon’s best waterfalls . Snap a few pics of this 98-foot beauty to kick off your Eastern Oregon road trip!

Read More: The Ultimate 4 Day Bend Oregon Itinerary

Eastern Oregon Road Trip Route - Smith Rock State Park

Driving north from Bend to the Painted Hills, don’t forget to stop by Smith Rock State Park . This iconic area of Eastern Oregon is one of the most popular places for climbers, hikers, bikers, and dog walkers.

Try climbing to the top of Misery Ridge – a 0.9-mile trail to the top, with a brutal 1,000-foot elevation gain. It’s a tough climb, but absolutely worth it to watch the sunset at the top!

Finish your drive to the Painted Hills and camp in the nearby Ocho, Umatilla, and Malheur National Forests nearby. Get creative and make a camping tour of Oregon’s central wonders. (And don’t forget to use The Dyrt to find dispersed campsites nearby!)  

Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon

  • Day 2: Painted Hills to Joseph, Oregon

One of the best times to visit the Painted Hills in Oregon is during sunrise and sunset ! There is little shade in the area, so these are the times of day that are the most pleasant for hiking, sightseeing, and photo-taking. 

If you are coming in the shoulder season (fall and spring) don’t forget to pack a jacket. Once the sun sets, the Painted Hills can get chilly – bundle up!

There are many photo opportunities to be had in the Painted Hills. One of the most popular attractions is the Painted Cove Trail. 

This is the iconic boardwalk with rich red soil , which makes you feel like you are walking on Mars! The Painted Cove Trail is located about a 20-minute drive into the park, with clear signs and a convenient parking lot.

Despite what you may expect, it’s a very short trail, curving in between the red hills just enough for you to pretend you are another planet .  That doesn’t take away from its beauty though – the color is as magnificent in real life as they are in pictures!

Painted Cove Trail - Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon

Spend the rest of the evening driving through this quiet part of Eastern Oregon. On the way to Joseph, you’ll be able to drive part of the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway . This road is a designated All-American Road located in Northeast Oregon.

For the night, check into the boutique Jennings Hotel , a co-op art project slash hotel fused into a beautiful and unique experience.

The Jennings Hotel is filled with relics from the early exploring days of Oregon State. They are carefully placed in their communal kitchen/gathering area for easy browsing.

You can explore all kinds of interesting books on their library wall! Topics include the area’s history, flora/fauna, hiking trails, and more. You can do this all while choosing from the massive selection of vintage records to play.

The Jennings Hotel Sign in Joseph, Oregon

  • Day 3: Joseph, Oregon to Owyhee Canyonlands

On Day 3 of your Eastern Oregon road trip, wake up early to catch a sunrise over Wallowa Lake . After sunrise, come back into town and have breakfast at Old Town Cafe , or grab a coffee to-go at Arrowhead Chocolates next door. 

To learn more about the history and geography of the area, drive a new section Hells Canyon Scenic Byway . On the way, you’ll stop by iconic views like Salt Creek Summit and Hells Canyon Overlook . Here, you can see panoramic vistas of the deep canyon below.  

Emily taking photos in Leslie Gulch on road trip in Eastern Oregon

Finally, end your night in the Owyhee Canyonlands . Here, there is plenty of free camping , hiking, and river rafting to be had! Some of our favorite spots in this area include Succor Creek State Natural Area, the Jordan Craters, and Leslie Gulch. Many of these remote Eastern Oregon places require high-clearance vehicles, so do your research before venturing out!

We stayed overnight at Leslie Gluch (read our full guide here ) at the free Slocum Creek Campsite . The sunrises and sunsets here were beautiful in this remote stop!

Eastern Oregon road trip itinerary - Leslie Gluch

Day 4: Owyhee Canyonlands (Leslie Gulch) to Alvord Hot Springs

On your way out of the Owyhee Canyonlands, wake up early to catch a sunrise in the gulch! This is one of the most dreamy times to capture photos. You are most likely to have these spots all to yourself, too.

Approved Drone Footage of Owyhee Canyonlands

Continuing on your way southeast, stop by the tiny town of Jordan Valley to fill up with gas and pick up any last-minute items. There is a mini-mart next to the (only) gas station which has some good road trip basics. Right out of town, don’t forget to check out the Pillars of Rome !

Pillars of Rome in Jordan Valley, Oregon

At the end of your driving day, you can opt to camp in the nearby Steens Mountains (we find all of our favorite free campsites on an app called The Dyrt !). Alternatively, you can pay to camp at Alvord Hot Springs , a private natural springs near the Alvord Desert .

Overnight guests get unlimited and 24-hour access to the two pools . You can also opt to pay the $8 fee to get day-use access too if you’re not camping.

Emily soaking in Alvord Hot Springs

If you want to visit some more secluded natural hot springs in Oregon , consider taking the long and dusty road to Willow Creek Hot Springs . Located on BLM land, this little desert oasis is in the middle of a camping area.

Berty and I came to Willow Creek specifically for the hot springs, but many other campers were there to go hunting – during certain seasons, antelope are sought after in this area.

Willow Creek Hot Springs Eastern Oregon Road Trip Stop

Day 5: Alvord Desert to Hart Mountain

Waking up in the desert brings its own special type of peace. This is why we recommend getting up early (even if it’s just for a moment!) to watch the sunrise over the Eastern Oregon horizon.

As you pack up, you have a few options for directions to go on your road trip in Eastern Oregon:

  • Drive through the town of Fields, OR (a great all-in-one stop with the best milkshakes!) and take Highway 205 north to Burns. This brings you to Crane Hot Springs .
  • Drive south into Nevada and take Highway 140 West back up into Adel, Oregon. This gives you convenient access to Hart Mountain National Elk Refuge .

Note: Google maps will try and take you up north of Fields, OR, and cut across what looks like an accessible road – it’s not! Plan to drive up to Burns and cut back down to Hart Mountain. You can also drive south through Nevada and back up through Adel, OR to access the National Antelope Refuge. 

Eastern Oregon map - directions from Fields to Hart Mountain

Hart Mountain National Elk Refuge is a quiet part of Eastern Oregon, known for its many high-desert plant and animal species.

Hunting and fishing are the most popular activities, but we also really loved visiting the Hart Mountain Hot Springs . There are two hot spring pools to see in Hart Mountain. One is a structured one with stone walls, and the other is about 100 yards away, completely natural with mountains surrounding the area.

Hart Mountain Hot Springs - Eastern Oregon hot springs

Day 6: Hart Mountain to East Cascade Mountain Attractions

Waking up in Hart Mountain, we suggest taking a dip in Hart Mountain hot springs to start your morning.

As stated above, there are two pools – one structure and the other natural. The natural one provides the most unobstructed view of the sunrise , so we woke up just before it rose over the mountains to start our day!

Feet of Berty Mandagie in Oregon hot springs

As you drive towards your next Eastern Oregon destinations, make sure to stop at the base of Hart Mountain . Here, you will find the Warner Wetlands and Hart Lake. Both are part of a 40-mile long chain of lakes separated by bow-shaped dunes. Truly, a unique feature to this part of Eastern Oregon!

This area is popular for birdwatching, hunting, boating and camping. Call ahead to the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Office to check on the water levels to see if your favorite water activities are open for recreation. A lot of activities, like the Ten Mile Warner Valley Canoe Trail , depending on proper water levels.

road trip oregon

Working your way back to Bend, Oregon, there are still so many potential stops to see on your Eastern Oregon road trip! We’ll list a few below, to help inspire you for this next leg of your trip:

Crack In The Ground - Places In Eastern Oregon

Crack in the Ground: The Crack In The Ground is an ancient volcanic fissure , stretching over 2 miles and in some parts, 70 feet deep! There are primitive campsites nearby, so you can go hiking during the day and sleep nearby.

Lava River Cave: The Lava Cave is yet another cool place in Eastern Oregon that was created by volcanic activity. This 1-mile long lava tube can be explored all the way through. You can expect to find a combination of stairs, boardwalks, and some uneven surfaces. Bring warm clothes (the average cave temperature is 42 degrees!) and bring at least 2 light sources. Make sure to bring the proper Pacific Northwest forest pass for this site. They accept the NW Forest Pass and National Park Pass, among others.

Crater Lake National Park - Eastern Oregon Road Trip Stops

Feeling adventurous? Send it all the way over to Crater Lake National Park ! In less than a 4-hour drive from Hart Mountain, you can check off this epic park from your Pacific Northwest bucket list . Take a Wizard Island boat tour , take a car tour of the Rim Drive , and watch the sunset from the Watchman Overlook . 

Day 7: East Cascades to Bend, Oregon

On the last day of your Eastern Oregon road trip, it’s time to make your way back to Bend . With plenty of stops along the way, there are so many choices of activities to do from hiking to sightseeing, hot springs to deserts. Here are some suggestions of places to stop on the last day of your road trip around Eastern Oregon:

road trip oregon

Toketee Falls and Umpqua Hot Springs

Located 1 hour west on Highway 138 , these Umpqua National Forest attractions are absolutely worth the detour! Spend the morning soaking among the dreamy forest scene at Umpqua Hot Springs . Afterward, drive down to the Toketee parking lot and take this quick trail to the overlook. This is the safest way to see the Toketee Falls for yourself! You can easily enjoy both of these attractions in one trip because they are super close to one another.

road trip oregon

Salt Creek Falls and Diamond Creek Falls

Salt Creek Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Oregon (the first one being Multnomah Falls near Portland, Oregon !). It is accessible by an easy hike off Highway 58 . If you’ve got a little extra time to spare, take the longer hike to Diamond Creek Falls . This is another spectacular falls accessed by the same parking lot. You won’t regret those views!

Other stops between Crater Lake and Bend, Oregon include:

  • Annie Creek Campground
  • Paulina Hot Springs / Paulina Lake
  • Lava River Cave
  • Lava Island Falls
  • Oregon Badlands Wilderness
  • Spending a weekend decompressing at FivePine Lodge in Sisters, Oregon !

road trip oregon

Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Examples

Are you planning your epic route but don’t exactly have time to spend 7 days in Eastern Oregon? Below, we’re sharing three example itineraries for a modified Eastern Oregon road trip, and how you can reduce or extend your time in the desert.

Want this as a download? Sign up to our email list below and have a printable Oregon road trip planner sent right to your inbox!

One Week Eastern Oregon Road Trip

You can see a lot of Eastern Oregon in one week! This route is the full itinerary, with plenty of great stops along the way. 

  • Day 4:  Owyhee Canyonlands to Alvord Desert
  • Day 5: Alvord Hot Springs Hart Mountain
  • Day 6: Hart Mountain to Eastern Cascades
  • Day 7: Cascade Mountains back to Bend, Oregon

Eastern Oregon Road Trip in 5 Days

An Eastern Oregon road trip in 5 days will introduce you to Oregon’s vast and diverse landscape! From the Painted Hills to the Wallowas, this route will bring you to some of the best of Oregon photography locations in Eastern Oregon.

  • Day 3: Joseph, Oregon to Alvord Hot Springs
  • Day 4: Alvord Hot Springs to Bend, Oregon
  • Day 5: Exploring Around Bend (Tumalo Falls, Smith Rock State Park )

10 Days In Eastern Oregon Itinerary

Are you looking to spend more time in the Oregon high desert? We’re sharing how you can extend your Eastern Oregon road trip to 10+ days, with more stops and hidden gems along the way!

  • Day 1: Bend, Oregon to Smith Rock State Park
  • Day 2: Smith Rock State Park to Painted Hills
  • Day 3: Painted Hills to Joseph, Oregon
  • Day 4: Day in Joseph (Wallowa Mountains)
  • Day 5: Joseph to Owyhee Canyonlands (Jump Creek Falls)
  • Day 6: Owyhee Canyonlands to Alvord Desert
  • Day 7: Alvord Dessert to Burns, OR (Crystal Crane HS, Summer Lakes HS)
  • Day 8: Burns to Crack In The Ground, Camping on BLM Land
  • Day 9: Drive to Crater Lake National Park (Camping)
  • Day 10: Drive back to Bend, Oregon

Eastern Oregon Map

Before you embark on your journey, save this map of Eastern Oregon on your phone!

Frequently Asked Questions About An Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Camping in Eastern Oregon - Make-shift Tent

Where do I stay on my Eastern Oregon Road Trip?

Plan to go car camping. There are a lot of backcountry camping opportunities here ( read our guide to finding the best free camping spots here ) and you can really enjoy Eastern Oregon under the stars!

Driving Around Eastern Oregon - Car In Desert

How Do I Get Around On An Eastern Oregon Road Trip?

Depending on the type of road trip you are hoping to experience, there are a few options for modes of transportation to consider. Here are our suggestions for your Oregon road trip:

Rental Cars: Rental cars are a great choice if you want to sleep mainly at resorts, hotels, or Airbnbs. They are small and compact and get great gas mileage to cover long expansive Oregon scenic byways without breaking the bank.

Camper Vans or RVs: Do you picture yourself driving around Oregon in a vintage VW van or fully-converted sprinter van? You CAN get a taste of that lusted-after van life by renting a recreational vehicle through Outdoorsy . Think of it like Airbnb but for cars – you get to borrow someone’s cool rig during your Oregon road trip, fully insured and everything! Browse Oregon RVs and van rentals here!

Looking to go camping during your Oregon Coast road trip? We did too! There are SO many places to go camping for free in Oregon, and we wrote a whole post about finding the best free camping spots here .

Have you ever experienced an Eastern Oregon road trip? What Eastern Oregon itinerary is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!

More oregon adventures.

All the Best Stops On An Oregon Coast Road Trip

The 26 Best Oregon Coast Hiking Trails To Take Your Breath Away

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon, Oregon

10 Epic Things To Do In Coos Bay, Oregon

What To Expect On A Trip To Heceta Head Lighthouse On The Oregon Coast

road trip oregon

This Haunting Road Trip Through Oregon Ghost Towns Is One You Won't Forget

road trip oregon

Tessa Metcalf

More by this Author

Did you know that Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state in the country? This awesome, historic road trip will take you through six amazing ghost towns in central and eastern Oregon. The trip will take about 9 hours of driving time, so you may want to bring camping gear or book a hotel to stretch it out over multiple days. From Kent to Cornucopia, these 6 incredible towns offer a glimpse into Oregon’s fascinating past.

road trip oregon

Check out the Google Maps directions in more detail here .

Here’s a stop-by-stop breakdown of the trip:

road trip oregon

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The Magical Road Trip That Will Take You Through Oregon's Most Charming Christmas Towns

Take The Ultimate Terrifying Southern Oregon Road Trip For A Haunting Adventure

Take The Ultimate Terrifying Southern Oregon Road Trip For A Haunting Adventure

Go Back In Time For A Day With This Central Oregon Road Trip

Go Back In Time For A Day With This Central Oregon Road Trip

road trip oregon

Have you visited any of these incredible places before? What other stops would you suggest making in the area?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Clarice Mendez

  • The Best Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

T he Oregon coast is a mistress as fickle as the sea herself. Sunny and bright one day, dark and moody the next, with a beautifully rugged shoreline you won’t want to take your eyes off. This is one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders.

Having grown up in Oregon, I’ve made many trips along the coast over the years. And I’m going to share with you some of the best spots I’ve found along the way.

This Oregon Coast road trip itinerary will take you from north to south, along Highway 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway . Spend a week or two on Oregon’s coast, and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it as much as I have.

Disclosure :  This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small fee from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

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Transportation

Now if you’re flying into Portland to begin your Oregon coast road trip, you’ll need to pick up a rental car. You may also want to rent a car if you’re local and don’t want to put the miles on your own vehicle, or you just want something more reliable. Click below to explore rental car options in Portland.

Click here to reserve a car through Rentalcars.com

A note about this Oregon coast road trip before we delve into it. I like my itineraries loose, with plenty of wiggle room for spontaneity. So you won’t find a rigid schedule here, broken down by day and time.

Instead, I offer you a framework you can tailor to make your own. I’ve included the main highlights and attractions in each town, where to eat and sleep, and how long you’ll want to plan to spend in each town. So there are several ways you can adapt this itinerary.

One option, if you’re leaving from Portland, is to drive north to Astoria to start. Then drive slowly south along Highway 101, stopping in each town as you go. Lastly, return to Portland along a faster route, on I-5.

Option two also begins and ends in Portland. However, instead of returning along I-5, you’d leapfrog down the coast, hitting every other town (starting in Astoria again). For the return trip, drive back along Highway 101 again, but visit all the cities you missed the first time around.

And then there’s option three. Work this Oregon Coast road trip into your journey towards another destination. For example, we worked this road trip into our drive to the Redwoods. (Portland and San Francisco are the two closest airports and are about an equal drive to the Redwoods.)

Or, you could also work it in if you were driving from California to Portland or Seattle. But enough about the route. Let’s talk about what you really came here for. The stops on this amazing Oregon Coast road trip itinerary!

Begin your Oregon coast road trip in Astoria . This small town sits at the mouth of the Columbia River. About a two hour drive from Portland, it’s the northern most city in Oregon on the 101.

Astoria has a few claims to fame, and even a great hidden gem. So you’ll want to plan to spend a full day here to experience all the town has to offer.

One thing Astoria is known for is the Astoria-Megler Bridge . At four miles in length, this is the longest truss bridge on the continent.

This impressive bridge spans the width of the Columbia River. So while you’re here, take a drive across the bridge, from Oregon into Washington!

Another landmark Astoria is well known for is Fort Clatsop , where the Lewis and Clark Expedition over-wintered from 1805 to 1806. Spend a couple of hours in this national historical park, watching historical re-enactments and learning about our country’s early days.

Then later that evening, discover Astoria’s secret underground world. Walk the Shanghai tunnels and learn about this coastal town’s history during a one-hour Astoria Underground Tour.

Highlights and attractions : Fort Clatsop, Astoria-Megler Bridge, Astoria underground tour, Astoria column

Where to eat : Broder Strand

Where to stay : Bowline Hotel

Click here to check for availability at the Bowline Hotel

Fort Stevens State Park

Fort Stevens is a military fortress turned state park. Located just outside Warrenton, it sits 20 minutes west of Astoria, or 20 minutes north of Seaside.

Visiting Fort Stevens is sure to be full of adventure, mystery, and intrigue. And if you love exploring abandoned buildings, this is the place to come. Here, it’s not only allowed, but encouraged!

These old concrete buildings served in defense of our country from the Civil War through World War II.

This state park offers camping of all sorts, restrooms, bike trails, military displays, and so much more. There’s even beach access and a shipwreck from 1906 you can explore!

The park is open year round; plan to spend a half day to a full day here, depending on how much you want to explore.

Just take caution not to cross anything chained or gated off, and watch your step. Some areas may be decaying, have holes or drop offs in the floor, or be otherwise unsafe.

TIP: Be sure to bring a flashlight or head lamp!

Highlights and attractions: Peter Iredale shipwreck, Battery Russel and Battery Pratt

The next coastal town on the itinerary is Seaside . Seaside has more of a tourist draw than other coastal towns. That may have something to do with its carnival-fun, classic boardwalk atmosphere.

From bumper cars and wacky mirrors, to carnival games and an arcade, Seaside is sure to put a smile on your face. There’s endless fun things to do here.

See the town from a tandem bike, surrey, or paddle boat. Then eat lunch at the Pronto Pup, and later, buy some salt water taffy from The Candyman.

Wander along the Seaside Promenade , and watch a sandcastle artist at work. Then stop in at the Seaside Aquarium , one of the oldest aquariums on the Pacific Coast.

You’ll definitely want to plan for a full day in Seaside to take in all this town has to offer.

Highlights and attractions: Seaside Aquarium, Seaside Inverted Experience , Wheel Fun Rentals , High Life Adventure Park Ariel Challenge , Captain Kid Amusement Park

Where to eat: Norma’s Seafood & Steak, Pronto Pup, Pig n Pancake

Where to stay: Best Western Plus Oceanview or the SaltLine Hotel

Click here to check for availability at the SaltLine Hotel

Click here to check for availability at the Best Western Plus Oceanview

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is just a short 5 to 10 minute drive from Seaside. But it couldn’t be more different in its atmosphere and appeal.

It tends to be a go-to spot for many Portlanders. The town gets especially crowded during the summer months, but is much quieter the rest of the year.

One of the town’s biggest draws is its iconic coastline. This picturesque stretch of beach has been featured in multiple films and is home to the Haystack Rock from The Goonies .

The closest beach access to get an up-close view of Haystack Rock is near the restaurant The Wayfarer. Locals also love visiting both Tolovana Park and Ecola State Park for beach access.

Ecola State Park is great for hiking, and from the right vantage point you can see the lighthouse Terrible Tilly off in the distance. Plus, Indian Beach is found within this state park, and is a popular location for surfing.

You can probably get away with spending a half day in Cannon Beach. Unless you plan to hike or surf. Then plan for a full day here.

Highlights and attractions : Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park, Indian Beach

Where to eat: The Wayfarer, Insomnia Coffee, Mo’s, Pelican Pub

Where to stay: Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach

Click here to check for availability at Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach , Oregon, is about a 35 to 40 minute drive south of Cannon Beach. This small coastal town may be easy to overlook, at first glance. Especially when compared to some of Oregon’s other coastal towns.

It’s got a couple gems that really make it worth the stop, though. For starters, the coastline here is particularly interesting. Three rock formations worth checking out here are the iconic Twin Rocks , the Three Graces , and the Devil’s Cauldron (just north of town).

A ride along the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad from here will give you great views of much of this picturesque stretch of coastline.

Plus, Rockaway Beach is home to the original Pronto Pup ! (A pronto pup is basically a corn dog, except it’s more savory, whereas corn dogs tend to be more sweet.)

If you stop in Rockaway Beach, you’ll want to spend about a half day to a full day here. With its stunning ocean views, you’ll be glad you added it to your Oregon Coast itinerary.

Highlights and attractions: Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, the original Pronto Pup, Twin Rocks, Devil’s Cauldron

Where to eat: Pronto Pup, Old Oregon Smokehouse

Where to stay: Surfside Resort

Click here to check for availability at the Surfside Resort

Continuing another 25 minutes down Highway 101 will take you next to Tillamook. And if you love cheese, then Tillamook should be on your bucket list, because one of the biggest attractions in here is the Tillamook Cheese Factory .

The Tillamook County Creamery Association produces national- and international-award-winning cheeses, many of which you can sample or purchase at the Tillamook Cheese Factory Visitors’ Center. Just be aware, once you try their cheese, you’ll be hooked!

Plus, this is the only place you can purchase Tillamook cheese curds (referred to as “squeaky cheese” by the locals) to take home with you. And that alone makes Tillamook worth the visit.

But the Tillamook Cheese Factory visitors’ center also offers dining options and Tillamook ice cream. And their ice cream is easily as good as their cheese! And you can watch and learn all about the cheese making process.

Aside form the Tillamook Cheese Factory, there’s plenty of other things to see and do here. Visit the Cape Meares Lighthouse , a short, squat little thing. And while you’re there, discover the “ Octopus Tree ,” an ancient Sitka spruce with multiple main trunks.

Have some wine to go with your cheese at the Blue Heron French Cheese Company . Then visit the Tillamook Air Museum or the County Pioneer Museum . Overall, you’ll want to plan to spend a half day to a full day in Tillamook.

Highlights and attractions : Cape Meares Lighthouse, Octopus Tree, Tillamook Cheese Factory

Where to eat: The Schooner

Where to stay: Shilo Inn Suites

Click here to check for availability at Shilo Inn Suites

Pacific City

About a 30 minute drive south of Tillamook, Pacific City is a smaller coastal town. And it’s a bit off the beaten path, compared to some of the other cities in this Oregon Coast road trip.

Small as it is, it’s still worth a stop though. And one of the best things to do in Pacific City is to explore Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area .

Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, including an up close view of Haystack rock . And it’s a popular location for surfing and exploring tide pools.

Pacific City is also a great spot for plenty of other outdoor adventures. You can try your hand at clamming or fishing, kayaking or horseback riding, or even hang gliding!

You’ll want to plan to spend about a half day to a full day here. But whatever you plan to do with your time here, you’ll be glad you added Pacific City to your itinerary!

Highlights and attractions: Haystack rock, Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

Where to eat: Pelican Brewing, Ben & Jeff’s Burgers and Tacos, Stimulus Coffee

Where to stay: Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa

Click here to check availability for the Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa

Neskowin Ghost Forest

Add this short stop into your Oregon Coast road trip itinerary! Neskowin is about half way-ish between Pacific City and Lincoln City. Fun side note: Neskowin means “plenty fish.”

Visiting the Neskowin ghost forest is an incredibly unique experience. These 2,000 year old Sitka spruce trees once stood tall and proud, until one day (as the theory goes), they were swallowed by an earthquake or tsunami.

Over the hundreds of years since, the ocean has held them secret, preserved them, and morphed them into the barnacle-covered stumps you see today–merely apparitions and whispers of the trees they once were.

You won’t need more than a half day here; maybe even a few hours may be enough. But it’s the timing of your visit to Neskowin that’s most critical.

It’s best visited at low tide. And even better yet is if that low tide occurs in the morning, before the fog has worn off for the day. The effect is absolutely haunting.

Another amazing time to visit Neskowin is during a super low tide. However, that only happens three or four weekends per year, during the summer months.

Important Note: I cannot recommend visiting Neskowin without saying this. Neskowin is a unique, dearly loved and cherished place. I’ve heard from Neskowin locals that visitors during the super low tides have left this stunning coastline trashed.

Please, if you decide to visit, treat this place with respect and practice the principals of “Leave no Trace.” Take out what you take in. Let’s leave it as beautiful as we can for those who follow after us, and for generations to come.

Where to stay: Proposal Rock Inn

Lincoln City

Continue another 20 minutes down Highway 101 to Lincoln City, a town sprawled long against the coastline. In fact, Lincoln City has more miles of beach than any other Oregon coastal town.

Lincoln City is well known for its “ Finders Keepers” scavenger hunt . On certain dates through out the year, you can scour Lincoln City’s beaches for these beautiful, handcrafted glass orbs.

And if you find one, you get to keep it! It’s worth checking the Finders Keepers release dates to see if you can line your Oregon Coast road trip up with one of their events. ( Check dates here .)

Lincoln City also has a great outlet mall that’s popular with many local Oregonians. Some of the notable brands you’ll find here include Pendleton, Nike, and Columbia, all proud PNW brands.

One other thing I highly recommend while in Lincoln City is to hike Driftcreek Falls . You’ll find this hike about 40 minutes inland from Lincoln City.

The moderately difficult 3.2-mile hike leads you to a 240’ long suspension footbridge (the longest in Oregon!), and to a stunning, 66’ tall waterfall.

Between seven miles of beaches, adventurous scavenger hunts, and a stunning waterfall, you’ll be glad you included Lincoln City in your Oregon Coast road trip itinerary.

All in all, you’ll want to plan to spend a half day to a full day in Lincoln City.

Highlights and attractions: Finders Keepers glass floats, shopping at the outlet mall, Driftcreek Falls

Where to eat: Kyllo’s Seafood & Grill, Hearth & Table, Mo’s, McMenamin’s, Pig ‘n Pancake

Where to stay: Inn at Spanish Head Resort or the Coho Oceanfront Lodge

Click here to check for availability at the Inn at Spanish Head Resort

Click here to check for availability at the Coho Oceanfront Lodge

Another 20 minutes south is the small town of Depoe Bay. Blink and you’ll have driven past it. However, there’s still plenty to do, packed into this little place.

For starters, this coastal town is home to the world’s smallest bay . This little harbor is a great place to explore, catch a beautiful view of the Depot Bay Bridge, and watch the seals swim and play.

The harbor is also where you’ll embark from for whale watching tours. Depoe Bay is one of the best places to go whale watching in Oregon , and there are several charter companies available to book tours from.

However, if you’d rather not go out on a boat, you’re also likely to spot whales, watching from the sea wall or the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay. The peak months to see whales in Depoe Bay tend to be May through August. Although, you may also have luck in December through February, and again mid March through May.

Depoe Bay is also a popular location to watch the monthly King Tides in the winter, from November through February. If you plan your visit to coincide with the King Tides, just be cautious to watch for sneaker waves, especially if the weather is stormy!

There are also a few shops along the waterfront, where you can buy salt water taffy or ice cream, and souvenirs. All in all, a half day is probably adequate time to experience Depoe Bay.

Highlights and attractions: World’s smallest bay, whale watching tours

Where to eat: The Horn Public House, Gracie’s Sea Hag

Keep driving another 20 minutes south and you’ll come upon Newport, one of the larger coastal towns in Oregon. Newport has a lot to offer, and with so many things to do here, you’ll want to plan to spend a full day here.

One of the best things to do in Newport is to visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium . This aquarium is the largest on the Oregon Coast, rated one of the top 10 in the US, and was once home to Keiko, the killer whale .

Keiko’s former tank has since been transformed into Passages of the Deep, my favorite habitat at the aquarium. A tunnel leads you through the middle of this habitat, as sharks and other undersea creatures swim over your head. The effect is absolutely magical.

You can also visit two different lighthouses nearby. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is just minutes from the aquarium, and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse is just a few minutes north of town.

And while you’re visiting the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, take a few extra minutes to check out the nearby Devil’s Punchbowl , a stunning rock formation just 10 minutes north.

Then spend some time wandering the Historic Bayfront and the Nye Beach areas. Both these locations have great shopping and dining options.

Highlights and attractions: Oregon Coast Aquarium, Ripley’s Believe it or not Wax Museum, Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Devil’s Punchbowl

Where to eat: The Chowder Bowl, Rogue Brewery, Georgie’s, Mo’s

Where to stay: Embarcadero Resort

Click here to check availability at the Embarcadero Resort

About an hour and ten minutes south of Newport is Florence, Oregon. Florence sits on the coast, at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, near the Oregon Dunes. You’ll want to plan to spend a half day to a full day here.

One of my favorite places in Florence is the Heceta Head Lighthouse. This classic lighthouse sits against a dramatic background, perched atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean.

The small beach directly below the lighthouse is magical, strewn with tiny sea shells. (The no-collect status of this beach partially accounts for why there are so many shells here!)

Take a hike from the lighthouse to a hidden beach. This 3.6 mile out-and-back trail takes about two hours to hike, and leads you to Hobbit Beach .

Later, visit the Sea Lion Caves , just 11 miles north of town. As tall as a 12-story building and as long as a football field, this is the largest sea cave in the U.S.! And you’re sure to see plenty of wildlife here.

If you’re looking for a little more adventure, then try renting an ATV or dune buggy to explore the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area . Or go horseback riding on the beach with C&M Stables.

Highlights and attractions : Heceta Head Lighthouse, Sea Lion Caves, Oregon Dune National Recreation Area

Where to eat: Bridgewater Fish House and Zebra Bar, 1285 Restobar

Where to stay: The Heceta Head Lighthouse Keepers House Bed and Breakfast

Click here to check for availability at the Heceta Head Lighthouse Keepers House B&B

The next stop on this Oregon Coast road trip is Coos Bay. Coos Bay is about an hour south of Florence, and you’ll want to plan to spend about a half day to a full day here.

Coos Bay is another excellent area to access the Oregon dunes from. At a total of 40 miles of recreational space, it’s the largest stretch of coastal sand dunes on the continent!

A few of the campgrounds in the area with dunes access include Spinreel, Horsfall, and Riley Ranch. You can rent ATVs and dune buggies in Coos Bay, or try the latest rage—sandboarding!

Later, enjoy some fish and chips at The Boat, one of my favorite restaurants in town. And afterwards, visit the Oregon Coast Historical Railway right next door. This outdoor museum has real vintage trains you can climb aboard and explore.

Another great thing to do in Coos Bay is to visit the lighthouse. Cape Arago Lighthouse is just 20 minutes west of Coos Bay.

This lighthouse sits on a small island off the coast, and isn’t open to the public. However, you can catch a great view of this beautiful beacon from Lighthouse Beach .

Highlights and attractions: Oregon dunes, Oregon Coast Historic Railway, Cape Arago Lighthouse

Where to eat: The Boat, 7 Devil’s Brewing

Where to stay: The Mill Casino Inn

Click here to check for availability at the Mill Casino Inn

Thirty minutes further south is Bandon, and you’ll want to plan for a half to a full day to spend here.

Bandon is home to Oregon’s third Haystack rock. However, this haystack rock doesn’t stand alone, like the other two. It’s part of a larger grouping of monoliths, or giant rocks, standing out in the ocean.

Called the Bandon Needles , these rock formations cover a three mile stretch of Bandon’s coastline. And they are breathtaking.

Two of the best places to reach Bandon’s beaches and to view the Bandon Needles are Coquille Point and Devil’s Kitchen . At Coquille Point, a stunning staircase leads down to the sand. But Devil’s Kitchen, with its twisted tree branches, has more ample parking, restrooms, and picnic tables.

Once you get down to the beach, pause to take in the cliff side that overlooks it. Countless beach houses line the cliff top. And in the spring time, the cliffs are dotted in a vibrant yellow of blooming scotch broom.

After admiring the Bandon Needles, visit the Coquille River Lighthouse , just minutes away. Although no longer open to the public, this lighthouse’s white and red coat create a striking image against the coastline you won’t want to miss.

Wrap up your stay in Bandon by checking out the Washed Ashore Gallery . These colorful art sculptures were created from trash collected from our oceans and beaches.

While studying the art, get inspired and learn how we can be better stewards of our land. I like to play a game of “I spy” when studying these sculptures. You’ll be surprised at some of the things they found littering the ocean! This really is “art to save the sea.”

Highlights and attractions: Coquille River Lighthouse, Washed Ashore Gallery, Haystack rock/Bandon Needles, Devil’s Kitchen

Where to Eat: The Loft Restaurant and Bar, The Wheelhouse & Crowsnest

Where to Stay: Best Western Inn at Face Rock

Click here to check for availability at Best Western Inn at Face Rock

Port Orford

Port Orford is another 30 minutes south of Bandon, and you’ll want to plan to spend about a half day to a full day here. This coastal town will offer you breathtaking hikes and picturesque ocean views.

One of the top things to do in Port Orford is to visit the Cape Blanco Lighthouse , Oregon’s western most lighthouse. It makes a stunning silhouette against the horizon, perched atop white cliffs.

There are also several great hiking trails at Cape Blanco. The Pacific View Trail is only a mile long, fairly easy, and has beautiful views. Another short and easy hike is the Cape Blanco North Shore Trail.

Other places you’ll find good trails in Port Orford include Battle Rock Wayside Park , Humbug Mountain State Park , and Sisters Rock State Park . But here’s my personal favorite thing to do in Port Orford…

For anyone traveling with kids, or for the people who are still kids at heart, stop by the Prehistoric Gardens just 15 minutes south of town. This fun roadside attraction was founded in 1955 by an amateur paleontologist.

We visited this dinosaur park when I was a kid, and it was simply magical. Kid-version me would give it two thumbs up. Adult-version me wants to go visit again!

Highlights and attractions : Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Prehistoric Gardens

Where to Eat: The Crazy Norwegian’s Fish & Chips

Where to Stay : WildSpring Guest Habitat

Click here to check for availability at WildSpring Guest Habitat

Brookings is Oregon’s southern most coastal town, and the last town on this Oregon Coast road trip. It’s an hour south of Port Orford, but only ten minutes from the California border. Plan to spend a half to a full day here.

One of the best things to do in Brookings is to visit the Oregon Redwoods ! There are two easy trails close to Brookings that are particularly good for seeing the Redwoods.

The Redwoods Nature Trail is located in the Siskyou National Forest, only 15 minutes from Brookings. This short loop is about 1.1 miles long. It can be steep in some parts and takes about 40 minutes to hike.

Another option is the Oregon Redwoods Trail . This hike is about 25 minutes southeast of Brookings, and it’s a 1.6 mile loop of moderate difficulty. It takes about an hour to hike, and isn’t highly trafficked.

After wandering through the Redwoods, take time to marvel at the coastline, along the 12 mile stretch of the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor . There are two particularly beautiful spots you’ll want to visit here.

The first spot is Natural Bridges . This viewpoint is a must-see, and is just 11 miles north of Brookings.

Note: It’s best to admire Natural Bridges from the designated viewpoint. Although there is a trail leading down for a closer look, this trail is steep, has sharp drop offs, and is prone to landslides. People have died on this trail.

The second spot you have to see for yourself is Secret Beach , at the north end of the corridor. However, you can only visit Secret Beach at low tide.

Highlights and attractions : Oregon Redwoods, Natural Bridges, Secret Beach

Where to Eat : Super Fly, Black Trumpet, Zolas

Where to Stay : Pelican Bay Lighthouse

Click here to check for availability at the Pelican Bay Lighthouse

How many days do you need for an Oregon Coast Road Trip?

You could easily do an Oregon Coast road trip in one or two weeks . However, if you want to include every stop in this itinerary, you’ll need to plan for 10 to 15 days.

What is the best month to visit the Oregon Coast?

The best time to visit the Oregon Coast will depend on what you want out of the trip. The Oregon Coast is beautiful all year round. However, the Pacific Ocean this far north is also cold all year round, even in the summer.

Plan your trip in the summer months, from July to August, for (almost) guaranteed warm weather and sunny days. Just know that some of these coastal towns can be very crowded during this time. And lodging is usually more expensive during this peak season.

Visit between June and August for super low tides. Or if you’re chasing King Tides, visit between November through February. However, be sure to look up dates for the super low tides and king tides, as they only occur for one week out of each of these months.

My personal favorite time to visit the Oregon Coast though, is the shoulder season, in May, June, September, and October. During these months, you’re still likely to get some sunny days mixed in between stormy weather. The beaches are far less crowded, and lodging rates are typically less expensive.

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The post The Best Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary appeared first on The Clever West Wind .

Your ultimate guide to an Oregon Coast road trip itinerary: where to stop, where to stay, where to eat, and what to see and do!

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Ducks Fly East For Road Trip

02/29/24 | Women's Lacrosse

  • Oregon leads the country with 20.00 draw controls per game
  • Simmons is tied for fourth nationally with 4.67 goals per game.
  • Simmons has scored a hat trick in each of Oregon's three games.
  • Simmons broke the program record for fastest goal, scoring in five seconds against Marist. The previous record was eight seconds.
  • Simmons scored six goals against Saint Francis, one shy of tying the single-game program record.
  • Pallo is the second Duck to record two career games with 10-or-more draw controls.
  • Pallo recorded five games with 3-or-more draw controls in 2023, and has three such games in 2024.
  • Named the Pac-12 Offensive POW after netting five goals and assisting two others against Marist. It is her first career weekly conference honor.
  • Scored the Ducks' first goal of the season in a 2-goal, 2-assist outing against Youngstown State.
  • One of 10 players in UO history with 50 career goals and 100 draw controls.
  • Led Oregon in draw controls (44), points (40) and goals (37) as a junior in 2023.
  • Fourth in program history with 138 career draw controls.

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  1. Best Road Trips in Oregon & Top Oregon Scenic Drives

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  2. When visiting the Painted Hills in Oregon, we recommend doing the

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  3. Oregon Road Trip: The Bucket-List Itinerary

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  4. 50 Incredible Places To See & Things To Do In Oregon (Oregon Bucket

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  5. Oregon Vacation, Oregon Road Trip, Road Trip Usa, Usa Travel, Travel

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  6. 5 Scenic Road Trips in Oregon (Itinerary Ideas + Tips!)

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  1. Oregon Coast Drive

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  1. Road & Weather Conditions Map

    Find out the current road and weather conditions on Oregon highways and byways. View road cameras, incidents, travel time, weather alerts, parking lot restrictions and more on the interactive map.

  2. EPIC Oregon Road Trip Guide (ROUTES AND TRAVEL TIPS • 2024)

    Plan your dream road trip in Oregon with this comprehensive guide by a local expert. Find out the best places to visit, costs, itineraries, and travel tips for the Oregon Coast, Cascades, and Eastern Oregon.

  3. The Complete Oregon Road Trip Itinerary (50 Stops & 4 Unique Routes!)

    Explore the best of Oregon with this comprehensive guide to 50 stops and 4 unique routes across the state. Find tips on where to stay, how to get around, and what to see in each region, from Portland to Crater Lake.

  4. Magical Oregon Road Trip: Steal this Itinerary!

    Less than 20 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge stretches over 80 miles through a canyon reaching up to 4,000 deep in places as it winds along the Columbia River, following the Oregon/Washington border. This stretch of canyon has been designated a National Scenic Area and is the largest in America.

  5. Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: One Week (or More!) in the Pacific

    Explore the best sites of Oregon in one week, from snow-capped mountains and high deserts to stunning coastline and hot springs. Find tips on where to fly in and out, when to go, and what to see along the way.

  6. Your Ultimate Oregon Road Trip—1 Week to 1 Month Oregon Itinerary

    Three Sisters Wilderness - 1-2 Days. Gear up for one of the ultimate challenges on this Oregon road trip by tackling the South Sister Trail. This 12.2-mile trek takes you to the peak of Oregon's third-highest mountain and rewards you with jaw-dropping vistas of the nearby peaks.

  7. The Perfect Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

    TIP: For a 7-day Oregon road trip, skip this section and head straight to Crater Lake from Mt. Hood. Stop at Smith Rock State Park as you drive south from Mt. Hood region. and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Drive about 2 hours east to see the Painted Hills which are in the deep end of the Oregonian desert.

  8. How to Plan an Unforgettable Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

    Day 1: Arrive in Portland, pick up car, drive to Astoria. Day 2: Drive to Cannon Beach. Day 3: Hike in Oswald West State Park, drive to Tillamook (+eat cheese and ice cream) Day 4: Drive Three Capes Scenic Route, drive to Newport. Day 5: Drive to Cape Perpetua and Heceta Head Lighthouse and on to Eugene.

  9. Best road trips in Oregon

    Surf & Turf: The Hood to Coast road trip. The best road trip for outdoor enthusiasts. Start - Portland; End - Rockaway Beach; Distance - 222 miles. A long-running PNW sufferfest, the Hood to Coast relay is an annual summer tradition that brings runners across the varied terrain of Oregon's volcanic peaks all the way to the rocky coast.

  10. The Best 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Ultimate Guide

    Mount Hood. Your Oregon 10 day itinerary must include Mount Hood! Okay, so this is a busy day, but next, you can head to Mount Hood and try one of the hikes there. We did Bald Mountain from Lolo Pass Trail. It's a 10.8km out-and-back trail rated as moderate with a 454m elevation gain.

  11. The Epic Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

    Cape Blanco Lighthouse is the first fabulous stop at the coast in this Oregon Road Trip itinerary. To get there directly from the Crater Lake NP, take OR-42 E and OR-138 E. It's 205 miles and 4 hours 20 minutes driving. If you are going from Girardet Winery, take OR-42 W and US-101 S.

  12. The Ultimate Oregon Road Trip: Itinerary Inspiration and Must-See Stops

    So without further ado, I'm sharing my ideal Oregon road trip, from the quirkiness that is Portland south to the dazzling still water of Crater Lake and west to the allure that is the stunning Oregon coast. Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Overview. Stop 1: Portland (2-3 days) Stop 2: Columbia River Gorge/Multnomah Falls (1 day) Stop 3: Mt. Hood (1 ...

  13. The Best Oregon Road Trip: complete loop itinerary

    Toketee Falls. On the same road as Umpqua hot springs, this is a stunning waterfall featuring Basalt cliffs and blue water. The trail is .9 miles round trip. Get more details at AllTrails. 9. Crater Lake National Park. Photo by @disa. My visit to Crater Lake was brief, but this view was worth the stop.

  14. Oregon Road Trip

    Oregon Coast Road Trip 5-Day Itinerary. Day 1: Start in Brookings, Explore Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, and Camp at Harris Beach State Park. Begin your coastal journey in Brookings, immersing yourself in the stunning landscapes of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

  15. The Perfect 4 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

    Day 4: Road Trip up the Oregon Coast Coast views near Yaquina Lighthouse. Oregon Coast back to Portland Distance: 262 miles; Oregon Coast back to Portland Driving Time: 5 hours 50 minutes; This is the longest driving day on your 4-Day Oregon coast road trip itinerary but it is interspersed with lots of quick stops! You can also cut down on the ...

  16. The Perfect 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

    Day 4 - Silver Falls State Park. Day 5 - Bend. Day 6 - Smith Rock State Park And Painted Hills. Day 7 - Umpqua National Forest. Day 8 - Crater Lake National Park. Day 9 - Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Day 10 - North And Central Coast. Day 11 - Go Home. What To Pack When You Travel In Oregon.

  17. Road Trip Oregon

    With over 45 years of combined industry knowledge, Chris and Lanning started the company Road Trip after a '82 VW van led them around Oahu in total relaxation and comfort. That idea of convenience and comfort while traveling the greatest state ever, resonated with Matt, who loves everything Oregon!

  18. Oregon Road Trip: The Bucket-List Itinerary

    This is a stunning part of the Oregon road trip itinerary and Bandon is our second favorite sto p along the Oregon Coast. Bandon is such an underrated stop and the beach is everything you would hope for a Pacific Northwest beach. Bandon Beach is home to towering sea stacks, sea caves, tide pools, and walking trails.

  19. 8 Best Road Trips In Oregon To Take Before You Die

    Explore the unique wonders of Oregon by taking a road trip through the state's stunning waterfalls, natural wonders, restaurants, coastline, and more. Discover eight of the best road trips in Oregon with maps, photos, and tips for each trip.

  20. The Complete Oregon Coast Road Trip Guide (with 3 Itineraries!)

    Stop 6: Florence. If you're planning a…. 3-day Oregon Coast road trip, you'll pass through Florence on the way to Brookings to end your road trip. 5-day Oregon Coast road trip, you'll pass through Florence on the way to Gold Beach for the night. 7-day Oregon Coast road trip, you'll spend the night in Florence.

  21. The perfect Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

    Leg 3: Waldport > Florence - 33.8 miles along Highway 101 South for about 47 minutes. Leg 4: Florence > Eugene - 61 miles along OR-126 East for about 1.25 hours. This is a great 2-4 day road trip from Eugene, Oregon to see some of the best spots on the central Oregon coast.

  22. The Perfect Eastern Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: 30 Stops & 3 Maps!

    One Week Eastern Oregon Road Trip. You can see a lot of Eastern Oregon in one week! This route is the full itinerary, with plenty of great stops along the way. Day 1: Bend, Oregon to Painted Hills. Day 2: Painted Hills to Joseph, Oregon. Day 3: Joseph, Oregon to Owyhee Canyonlands.

  23. The Ultimate Oregon Ghost Town Road Trip

    This awesome, historic road trip will take you through six amazing ghost towns in central and eastern Oregon. The trip will take about 9 hours of driving time, so you may want to bring camping gear or book a hotel to stretch it out over multiple days. From Kent to Cornucopia, these 6 incredible towns offer a glimpse into Oregon's fascinating ...

  24. The Best Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

    This Oregon Coast road trip itinerary will take you from north to south, along Highway 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. Spend a week or two on Oregon's coast, and I'm sure you ...

  25. Ducks Fly East For Road Trip

    Ducks Fly East For Road Trip. 02/29/24 | Women's Lacrosse. Share: EUGENE, Ore. - It will be a matchup of undefeated teams when Oregon lacrosse faces Rider on Friday at 12 p.m. PT in the Ducks' first road game of the 2024 season. This is the first of two games in New Jersey for Oregon, which turns around to take on No. 22 Rutgers on Sunday ...