Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the US. The Pacific Northwest is well-known for its incredible natural scenery and is a hiker’s paradise. As such, it’s the perfect place to take a road trip! Oregon and nearby Washington are chock full of scenic byways, amazing beaches and mountain landscapes. Whether you want to drive along the Pacific Coast or head into the mountains, there are tons of things to see and do during an Oregon road trip. Here are the 10 best road trips from Oregon for you to check out.
- Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
- Pacific Coast Scenic Byway
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
- Columbia River Gorge
- Mount Hood
- Cannon Beach
- West Cascades Scenic Byway
- Umpqua River Scenic Byway
- John Day, OR
- Mount Rainier National Park
1. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
This is one of the “7 Wonders of Oregon”, and it is easy to see why. This 218-mile road trip will take you in a loop around the beautiful Wallowa Mountains. Along the way, you will encounter wildlife, indigenous history, craft beer, amazing scenery and more. There’s something for everyone along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway.
SIXT Pro Tip:
A tour around the entire scenic byway will take about 8 hours, but there are plenty of small towns along the way that offer services for visitors. So, feel free to break your road trip up into several days to make the most of it.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 256 miles; a 4-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
2. Pacific Coast Scenic Byway
This 363-mile road trip covers Oregon’s entire coastline. Not only will you be treated to amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, but you will also pass Fort Stevens State Park, some historic lighthouses, including Oregon’s tallest, the Columbia River Maritime Museum and more. This road trip can be taken at your own pace and is best enjoyed slowly, so leave yourself ample time.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Stop in Seaside along the way to enjoy the promenade and boardwalk games. Next, head to Ecola State Park to see the cliffs at Tillamook Head.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 97 miles; a 1-hour and 45-minute drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
3. Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
This 140-mile route will take you around some of Oregon’s most famous volcanic sights. You will pass by Mount Shasta, Mount Lassen, the Lava Beds National Monument, Crater Lake National Park and more. The byway also enters northern California, so it is up to you to choose your starting and ending point. No matter how far you decide to take this road trip, you’ll be treated to some incredible volcanic scenery.
SIXT Pro Tip:
This may be mainly a volcanic road trip, but you should make an effort to see the waterfalls, too! Waterfall highlights of this road trip include McCloud Falls, Hedge Creek Falls, Burney Falls and Vidae Falls.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 360 miles; 6.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
4. Columbia River Gorge
If you’re a fan of waterfalls, this is the Oregon road trip for you. The Columbia River Gorge has more than 50 waterfalls in a condensed space, including the tallest waterfall in Oregon. You’ll also find local food, craft beer and incredible wine along the way.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Bring your mountain bike! There’s a network of bike trails at Post Canyon. You can also try your hand at windsurfing on the Hood River, known as the windsurfing capital of the world.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 53 miles; a 1-hour drive
TOLLS: There is a toll road at the Bridge of the Gods. Cars can expect to pay $2.00.
5. Mount Hood
Mount Hood is the perfect road trip in Oregon to take any time of the year. Home to venues for winter sports, hiking trails, an adventure park and more, Mount Hood has something for everyone. This iconic mountain is the highest peak in Oregon and is just a short drive from Portland. It’s also the second most-climbed mountain on the planet, so head on up to the summit if you’re up to the challenge. You can also visit one of the many museums in the area.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Mount Hood is home to the longest skiing season in the country, so be sure to hit the slopes while you’re there, no matter what season you are visiting. Each season is different depending on the weather, of course, but summer snow skiing is quite a unique experience.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 65 miles; a 1.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
6. Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is the perfect road trip destination in Oregon if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation. The beach is perfect for swimming, fishing, surfing and whale watching. There’s more to do than just sit on the beach, though. You can hike the trails at nearby Tillamook Head and go up to the viewpoint at Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Cannon Beach was named one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world by National Geographic, so it’s worth a visit. Don’t forget to check out the iconic Haystack Rock and the majestic waterfalls at Hug Point.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 92 miles; a 2-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
7. West Cascades Scenic Byway
This 215-mile trip takes you through the Cascade Mountain Range. You will encounter both the Clackamas and Santiam rivers and be treated to lush forestry and serene lakes along the way. The entire byway takes about 8 hours to complete, so you may want to split it into several days to take full advantage of it.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Visit Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center to soak in the hot springs. The resort also offers a sweat lodge and occasional workshops.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 110 miles; a 3-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
8. Umpqua River Scenic Byway
This scenic drive starts in the historic town of Oakland and ends on the coast in Reedsport. Before you start, you may want to take a guided walking tour through Oakland to learn more about the area’s heritage. This 66-mile route will take you through the lush forests of the Coast Range along the river until you pop out right at the coast of the Pacific. Known for both its natural beauty and its history, this is one of the best road trips in Oregon.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Visit historic Fort Umpqua, the first non-Native American settlement along the river.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 174 miles; a 3-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
9. John Day, OR
The main draw of this road trip in Oregon is John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The monument features three units and each of them includes a gorgeous canyon drive. You can also stop off at one of the many museums and you will want to try your hand at fossil hunting.
SIXT Pro Tip:
The cities of John Day, Prairie City and Fossil are all known for their historic buildings and small-town vibes. Be sure to explore them in between your fossil hunting adventures.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 269 miles; a 5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
10. Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is one of the best road trips from Oregon. Located across the border in Washington state, it offers endless opportunities to explore the great outdoors, from swimming and boating to hiking and skiing. You’ll want to check out the Paradise Valley area along with the historic Paradise Inn, as well as the Crystal Mountain Resort.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Ride the Mount Rainier Gondola for some incredible views of the surrounding scenery.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM PORTLAND: 138 miles; a 2.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
