Oregon Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

There is perhaps nothing in life more freeing than setting off on the open road in search of adventure. Road trips are the perfect way to take in many beautiful sights, partake in the cuisine found at many different restaurants, and immerse yourself in nature all along the way. And if you’re searching for the best road trips in Oregon, look no further: we’ve compiled a list of the very best road trips for every time of year, from single-day excursions to a weekend (or longer) of exploring the beautiful Beaver State. Whether it’s your first trip to Oregon or you’ve visited many times, these Oregon road trip ideas with routes you can easily follow on Google Maps is packed with adventure and incredible sights that will steal your heart.

1-Day Road Trip In Oregon

benedek / iStock / Getty Images Plus

• Route: Azalea Park in Brookings > Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor > Gold Beach > Port Orford > Bandon > Shore Acres State Park > Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area > Reedsport > Florence
• Distance: 150 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours driving time

This road trip along the southern Oregon coast offers breathtaking natural wonders, incredible coastal rock formations, historical landmarks, pristine beaches, and so much more for very little cost (or free). Beginning with the 33-acre Azalea Park in the beautiful seaside town of Brookings and making your way through scenic places like Coos Bay and the Oregon Dunes, you'll be amazed at how much of Oregon you can see in a single day. You'll definitely want to explore this iconic scene at Secret Beach, which is just a 14-minute drive north of Brookings. This is the perfect day trip that you and your loved ones can embark upon to explore many of Oregon's most beautiful places without breaking the bank.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Oregon

Scott Ripley / 500px Collectiion via Getty Images

• Route: Mount Hood Village > Sunriver > Cottage Grove > Drift Creek Falls > Tom McCall Waterfront Park > The Tiny House Village
• Distance: 511 miles
• Trip Time: 10 hours 11 minutes driving time

This is the perfect weekend road trip for those wanting to take a little more time to explore some lesser-known yet still beautiful locations in Oregon. You'll start this road trip off with an easy hike to a beautiful waterfall in Government Camp, then you'll explore some delicious dining options in town before you make your way through the stunning high desert of Central Oregon and its sweeping mountain vistas. Go on a charming covered bridge tour in Cottage Grove, meander down a riverwalk in Portland, and lodge in the enchanting Tiny House Village in Mt. Hood. Be sure you stop by Trillium Lake as it's one of the most spectacular views of Mount Hood and the surrounding National Forest. This road trip is impossible not to fall in love with and may be considered one of the best road trips in Oregon.

Advertisement

Columbia River Gorge Road Trip

Steve Terrill / Corbis Documentary Collection via Getty Images

• Route: Portland > Crown Point > Multnomah Falls > Hood River > Rowena Loops > The Dalles
• Distance: 75 miles
• Trip Time: 3 to 5 hours driving time

This breathtaking road trip is easily one of the most breathtakingly scenic drives in the entire country. It crosses off many bucket list destinations such as Multnomah Falls, Crown Point's Vista House, Hood River, and so much more. They don't call the Historic Columbia River Highway a Scenic Byway for nothing: it ranks as one of the most picturesque highways in the US, and it's beautiful no matter what time of year you drive along this stunning highway (just be sure to check road conditions in the winter before you head out just in case). The Columbia River Gorge will steal your breath away, and your Oregon road trip and its endless scenic viewpoints will be more memorable than you can imagine.

Advertisement

Oregon Coast Road Trip

Meybruck / iStock / Getty Images Plus

• Route: Astoria > Cannon Beach > Pacific City > Newport > Yachats > Florence > Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area > Shore Acres State Park > Bandon > Brookings
• Distance: 355 miles
• Trip Time: 8 hours 5 minutes driving time

If you can only choose one Oregon road trip, this West Coast road trip should be a top contender for its plethora of must-see coastal destinations. You can do this trip in a single 8-hour day, or take your time and split the journey between two days to soak in all the beauty that Oregon's spectacular coastline offers. From iconic sea stacks like Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach to famous lighthouses such as Heceta Head Lighthouse and Coquille River Light, this coastal excursion will steal your breath away. Be sure to stop by the iconic Natural Bridges Viewpoint, Tillamook Head and the surrounding Ecola State Park, Oregon's sand dunes, and Cape Perpetua as you traverse one of the most picturesque stretches of road in the entire country.

Best Oregon Road Trip For Spring

Greg Vaughn / VWPics / Collection Mix: Subjects Collection via Getty Images

• Route: Rowena Plateau Trail > Mosier Plateau Trail > Marys Peak > Iron Mountain Trail > Cornerstone Rd > Siskiyou Peak > Painted Hills
• Distance: 755 miles
• Trip Time: 15 hours 17 minutes driving time

Oregon is a magical place in the springtime when wildflowers bloom and the landscape comes back to life. This road trip is highly recommended to take during spring as it takes you along some of the most magical wildflower-covered landscapes you can imagine. Photographers and wildflower lovers will find countless scenic views to drink in including Marys Peak and the vibrant Painted Hills. You'll be delighted by the sights of spring at each of these beautiful Oregon destinations.

Related Stories

This Enchanting Garden Restaurant And Bar In Oregon Will Transport You To Another World

The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Oregon Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

With Bacon Burgers And Homemade Cream Pies, This Incredible Restaurant In Oregon Is Perfect For Families

Best Summer Road Trip In Oregon

Kevin Schafer / The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images

• Route: Latourell Falls > Multnomah Falls > Elowah Falls > Wahclellah Falls > Hood River > Tamanawas Falls > Ramona Falls > Government Camp > Silver Falls State Park > Trail Of Ten Falls > Silverton
• Distance: 180 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hours 56 minutes driving time

Oregon is well-known and loved for its many picturesque and dreamy waterfalls, and this is the road trip that will take you to explore the very best of them. Start by exploring the many waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway such as Latourell Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Elowah Falls, take a loop around Mount Hood, then wrap up your journey by exploring the iconic Silver Falls State Park. If you take this road trip through Oregon in the summertime, the forests surrounding the falls will be lush and green. You'll feel transported into a fairytale dream world, and it'll be hard to leave the beautiful serenity of it all.

Best Oregon Road Trip For Fall

Jesse Estes / Moment Collection via Getty Images

• Route: Portland Japanese Garden > Historic Columbia River Hwy > Vista House at Crown Point > Multnomah Falls > Hood River County > Sandy > Silver Falls State Park
• Distance: 202 miles
• Trip Time: 4 hours 10 minutes driving time

Fall is without a doubt the most magical time to visit Oregon. This road trip takes you to some of the most stunning Oregon destinations to visit in the fall when the leaves turn vibrant hues of yellows, oranges, and reds. Start by exploring the mystical Portland Japanese Garden and you'll feel transported to another world with such awe-inspiring trees and landscapes. Make your way along the Historic Columbia River Highway to the Vista House in Corbett for some of the most jaw-dropping views you'll ever witness. Travel along the Mount Hood Scenic Byway for lovely views of the towering Mount Hood framed by red and golden leaves. Lastly, wrap up with a stop at Silver Falls State Park, where the fall scenery transforms the landscape into something from a dream. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more stunning fall road trip than this journey through Oregon's most beautiful autumn scenery.

Best Winter Road Trip In Oregon

Jon Asay Photography / Moment Collection via Getty Images

• Route: Portland > Mcminnville > Salem > Silverton > Florence > Coos Bay > Jacksonville > Ashland
• Distance: 449 miles
• Trip Time: 9 hours and 19 minutes driving time

Winter is a magical time of year to explore the Beaver State as the landscape transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Holiday lights create a fairytale-like atmosphere in Oregon's many small towns, and this road trip takes you through the most magical small towns in Oregon. Enjoy the magic of the winter season in these charming towns and take advantage of their many winter and holiday-themed events. This road trip could be done in a single day but you'd likely enjoy your adventure even more if you split it over two days so you can take a little more time exploring.

Advertisement

Family-Friendly Oregon Road Trip

Jeffrey Davis / Tetra Images via Getty Images

• Route: Gold Hill > Port Orford > Yachats > Albany > Portland > Silverton > Bend > Redmond > Idleyld Park
• Distance: 765 miles
• Trip Time: 15 hours driving time

Embark upon the perfect family-friendly road trip in Oregon by visiting some of the most quirky, historical, and beautiful spots in the state. You'll start off by wandering through The Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery in Gold Hill, then explore the Prehistoric Gardens in Port Orford which features 23 life-sized handmade dinosaur sculptures. Travelers of all ages will be enthralled by Thor's Well and its surrounding tide pools near Yachats (be sure to visit the Sea Lion Caves while you're at it). Children will love the Historic Carousel & Museum in Albany. Then you'll visit the enchanting Witch's Castle in Portland, the Skylight Cave in Bend, and wrap up your day of family-tailored adventures with an easy and short hike to the breathtaking Toketee Falls near Idleyld Park. This road trip will ensure adults and children of all ages experience a grand adventure. Doesn't this sound like one of the best road trips in Oregon?

Road Trip to Oregon Landmarks & Natural Wonders

zrfphoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus

• Route: Cannon Beach > Multnomah Falls > Mt. Hood > Painted Hills > Smith Rock State Park > Crater Lake
• Distance: 507 miles
• Trip Time: 10 hours 8 minutes driving time

This is the ultimate natural wonders road trip in Oregon. You'll start off by exploring the beloved Cannon Beach and the infamous Haystack Rock, then make your way along the breathtaking Historic Columbia River Highway toward Multnomah Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls in America. Continue along your journey toward Mt. Hood (you'll stop at Timberline Lodge at about 6,000 feet). Next, you'll explore the Painted Hills and the otherworldly landscape at Smith Rock State Park (consider hiking the Misery Ridge and Summit Trail Loop while there). You'll wrap up your grand adventure by visiting one of the most spectacular geologic and scenic wonders of the state at Crater Lake National Park (entry fee required). The views here will steal your breath away. There are many hiking trails in the area (such as the steep but beautiful Cleetwood Cove Trail) that are well worth exploring. Consider staying at the Crater Lake Lodge for the full experience.

Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Oregon

Juan Maria Coy Vergara / Moment Collection via Getty Images

• Route: Vernonia > Astoria > Cannon Beach > Depoe Bay > Yachats > Florence > Drain > Cottage Grove > Sisters > Jacksonville
• Distance: 657 miles
• Trip Time: 13 hours 52 minutes driving time

Oregon is well known for having many charming small towns scattered across the state. From delightful coastal villages to rustic forest communities, this road trip will take you through the best of the best. Starting with the historic town of Vernonia, you'll make your way through Astoria (the Astoria-Megler Bridge crosses the magnificent Columbia River and is an incredible experience in and of itself), Explore Cannon Beach, Depoe Bay, Yachats, Florence, and all the coastal beauty that lies in between. You'll fall in love with Oregon's small-town vibes, from the eclectic and unique to the warm and friendly, you'll agree that Oregon's small towns and villages are as charming, welcoming, and picturesque as they come.

Your Oregon road trip itinerary should be packed to the brim with ideas for your next Pacific Northwest adventure. Which of these road trips are you most excited to embark upon first? What do you consider to be the best road trips in Oregon? Tag a road trip friend in the comments below and get started planning your travels.

Need more Oregon road trip ideas? Visit our Oregon road trip hub to gain access to all the best road trips for all reasons and seasons. For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.