Driving through Oregon

I%26#39;m driving up from LA to Vancouver. I%26#39;d like to see the Oregon Coast (probably via the 101) and then get onto Interstate 5 to go through Washington (to see the Glacier mts and Seattle). Any suggestions of how the two highways connect or about drive time up the 101? Thank you in advance!

Driving through Oregon

Driving time from border to border on 101 is somewhere around 9 hours. But, with all there is to see and do along the Oregon coast, you might want to take two weeks. ;-)

Once you get to Astoria, head inland along the Columbia River on hwy 30, then cross to Washington at Longview and connect to I-5 at Kelso. If you%26#39;re interested, that puts you close to Mt. St. Helens.

Driving through Oregon

mistletoe offer%26#39;s good advice, especially regarding hwy 30 to Longview.

Of course, the ';two weeks'; reference was in jest, but don%26#39;t try to do it in less than 2 days, 3-4 would be better.

Den

Thank you both for the responses. Mt. St. Helens is definately a place I%26#39;d like to see. So no one suggests a straight 9 hour trip through Oregon? Dengay, you think no less than 2 days? Thanks again, mistletoe, for your directions to the 5!

I agree- definetly at least 2 days and it would be better if you could take 3-4 days if you have time. 3 days would give you a good overall feel of the coast and 4 would give you some extra time to stop and explore towns/parks a little more. If you drive it in 1-2 days all you really will be doing is driving curvy roads and stopping every once in awhile for lunch and a quick peek at the towns or walk on the beach. So I guess it depends on what you want to do and how much time you have.

Yep, 2 days minimum. As chinookgrrrrl points out, any less and all you are doing is driving a curvy road with a few pretty sights along the way. If you split the drive in half, that would put you somewhere around Florence or Yachats for a nights stay. I suggest Yachats...much more scenic.

Brookings to Florence is generally less than a 5 hr drive (w/o) stopping. Florence to Astoria is about the same. Yachats is 35 minutes north of Florence, so no real difference there.

Den

We have just returned from Oregon and travelled up the 101 from the North Cal Redwoods . Our trip was planned with all the good advice from the experts here and I must reiterate all they say.

There are so many stops for wonderful views, scenic loop drives, whales to spot, beautiful state parks, lighthouses etc it cannot and should not be rushed.

Take note of these experts - they definitely know what they are talking about.

Thanks again everyone.

First of all, I completely agree about the people here, they are incredibly knowledgable and helpful. Thank you all! I can%26#39;t wait to get back and share my experiences. I should have explained this earlier, but here%26#39;s the situation: our actual destination is Vancouver, and we only have 3 days (already booked-non-refundable) in Vancouver. So, really, we have to (unfortunately) rush through Oregon, but I still think it will be better than rushing through on the Interstate 5, right?

Considering your time line, If possible I would suggest rushing to Vancouver via I5 and taking your time home via 101.. Once you see our Coast you wont want to hurry. It is very easy to drive 50 miles in 6 hours and wonder why you didn%26#39;t make anytime. So very much to see. I have lived on the coast for 20 years and it still takes me 5 hours to drive to Coos Bay...lol

LA to Vancouver.... three days.... Okay, on day one put pedal to the metal on I-5 up to Ashland: 10 - 11 hours depending on rest stops enroute. If you%26#39;re making this drive during the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, get tickets for a play that night.

Day two - Head north on I-5 to exit 136, then take hwys 138/38 to Reedsport on the coast. Drive up the coast as far as you can, time permitting, with Portland as your overnight stop. The likely routes from the coast back inland to Portland will take 1.5 - 2.5 hours.

Depending on traffic, drive time Portland to Vancouver is 5.5 - 7 hours. So you could make a couple hour detour to St. Helens, but don%26#39;t do it if the weather%26#39;s not nice.

Good idea from Mistletoe. That is quite good section of coast with lots of variety. And you can fiddle a bit before you feel you need to head inland. Get at least to Lincoln City.

I take OR-18 inland but I live west of I-5. Some say OR-22 through Salem is quicker. to I-5 and then to Portland

delegates