We are surrounded by natural beauty in Portland. All you have to do to see it is drive about 20 minutes from the city and things suddenly start to change. Strip malls give way to open pastures and sprawling vistas. Busy streets open into farmland, occupied only by cows, goats, and chickens. If you want to get away from it all and experience some of our area’s natural beauty, here are five easy ways to do just that. You don’t even have to leave the comforts of your car. Just get in and drive down these scenic drives near Portland to escape the ordinary and enjoy some spectacular views.

1. Columbia River Highway
Anna Gorin / Moment via Getty Images
In 2016, the Columbia River Highway turned 100, and there is no better way to honor the anniversary of the first major paved road in the Pacific Northwest than to take a trip to Troutdale and explore this historic highway.
Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR, USA
Scott Smithson / Flickr
Originally connecting Troutdale to The Dalles, the road was used extensively until the 1950s when I-84 was built, leaving the historic road nearly abandoned from its former glory. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act of 1986 helped with the rehabilitation of the road, and today, all but 5 miles of the original highway is open, however, some areas are just for pedestrians and bicyclists. Take the journey from Troutdale to just past Horsetail Falls to enjoy a myriad of waterfalls and scenic vistas on this lovely drive not far from home.

Enjoy a drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway in this video from Oregon Tropics:
2. Oregon State Route 224
Doug Kerr / Flickr
Head to Estacada on this state road to get away from it all. In the 35-mile journey, you will be taken through rolling farmland and if desired, you can continue into the Mt. Hood National Forest.
Oregon 224, OR-224, Estacada, OR, USA
Doug Kerr / Flickr
When you arrive in Estacada, there is plenty to do outdoors. Swimming, boating, rafting, and fishing are big here. Stop into the Fearless Brewing Company for lunch before heading back to town.
3. Wilsonville Road
Eric Kilby / Flickr
Wine country is beautiful any time of the year and always worthy of a visit. Take the drive to McMinnville in scenic fashion by avoiding the bulk of the traffic on Route 99 and instead traveling on Wilsonville Road from Wilsonville to Newberg and then onto 99W for the last bit.

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Wilsonville Road, Newberg, OR 97132, USA
star5112 / Flickr
This scenic journey past vineyard after sprawling vineyard will get you ready to enjoy some great wine and stay awhile. Plan on a little over an hour each way.

Enjoy a scenic drive through Wilsonville Oregon in this video from Oregon Tropics:
4. Hood River Fruit Loop
Lucas Jans / Flickr
Take the full loop by driving on Highway 35 to Dee Highway 281 to Country Club Road. This scenic tour circling the fruit farms of Hood River can net you a lot of fruit, as well as some spectacular views.
Melissa Kopka / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Head out from spring to fall to take part in the plentiful harvest and enjoy this amazing route without any snow.
5. Washington State Road 4 / Highway 101
Loren Kerns / Flickr
If the coast is calling you, make sure you take a route that is enjoyable such as this scenic journey. Hop on Washington State Road 4 to Naselle, WA and then head south on Highway 101 to Cannon Beach. This is by far the most scenic route to the coast from Portland, and worth the small amount of extra time it takes.
Loren Kerns / Flickr
Stop in Astoria before reaching Cannon Beach for lunch and enjoy the coastal vibe before continuing down 101 to your destination.

Join Eat See RV as they travel along the Oregon coast, one of the most scenic drives in the Beaver State:

With so many beautiful areas to explore in Oregon, it isn’t difficult to find a scenic drive in Portland or any other part of the state. Have you ever traveled along these scenic drives near Portland? Share your favorite places to hop in the car and enjoy the sights with a comment.

Then, start planning an epic Oregon road trip with one of these pre-planned itineraries. If you want to take your road trip to a whole new level, rent an RV and hit the road.

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More to Explore

More scenic roads to travel in Oregon

Chris Muras | August 17, 2023

What are some scenic drives in Oregon?

 

Oregon is one of the best states to take a road trip if you enjoy incredible sights and scenic views. Here are some of our favorite scenic roads to travel in Oregon and epic road trips you can take:

  • Columbia River Gorge Road Trip: This route lets you enjoy scenic drives in Portland before heading out of town to Multnomah Falls, the Hood River, and The Dalles. The Historic Columbia River Highway makes up part of this 75-mile road trip to some of the best areas of Oregon.
  • Oregon Outback Scenic Byway: This route takes us from La Pine to Lakeview, Oregon, in a unique portion of the state that resembles the Australian Outback. The area around Fort Rock is actually the exterior ring of an ancient volcano. And the Diablo Mountain Wilderness Study Area, south of the often completely dry Summer Lake, is one of the largest wilderness study areas in the U.S. There is so much more to see along this scenic byway from geysers to hot springs that you'll discover something new every time you make the drive.
  • Mary’s Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway: This 72-mile route passes through several lovely towns until you reach Mary's Peak, a beautiful section of the Oregon Coast Range - the tallest peak in the range, in fact. You'll also pass through the Hayden Covered Bridge, a historic bridge that was built in 1918. Another stunning spot to stop is the Seal Rock State Recreation Site where this scenic byway intersects the iconic Hwy 101.
  • U.S. Route 30: This highway that begins at the mouth of the Columbia River runs through the entire state until it ends up near the Oregon-Ohio border near Ontario, Oregon. Some of the memorable towns you'll travel through include Hood River, Portland, Cascade Locks, Baker City, and Astoria.

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