Oregon Trip to Coast

[Keith Schweizer]

We will be traveling to the west coast of Oregon in September. Taking I-84 from Utah all the way to Portland.
Once getting to the Portland area will the 405 be the best route to access Hwy 26 west to get to Cannon Beach ? I see there is a tunnel right after getting on Hwy 26. Will I be allowed through the tunnel or height restrictions involved?
Propane restricted?
Also any information on I 84,Hwy 26 road conditions. I have read 26 is a very busy highway. Any other options to navigate around Portland?

Any and All suggestions, Options would be Greatly Appreciated

Thank You, Keith

[jsb5717]

84 to 26 is your most direct route. But time of day is critical in determining traffic. 84 and 26 can both be very slow through Portland until you get past Hillsboro. 2pm to 6pm is the worst traffic, as in most cities. There is always slowing through Portland, regardless of time of day. But if you can plan your drive through the city mid-morning to early afternoon you can minimize that traffic. Be prepared to take your time. Cannon Beach is one of our favorites.

Personally, I would follow 84 to the river and take I5 south. Across the river you'll jump on 405 briefly to 26. Then it's straight to the coast.

[Keith Schweizer]

Jeff & Sandi
Thank You for that information. I will make a note on the timing driving through the Portland area. I will not be in a hurry going though that area. Looks busy on the map

[scottz]

Jeff, that would be the Willamette River since he is already south of the Columbia on 84; right? I'm making the same trip next week.

Another question: are there any areas for boondocking on 26 between Portland and the coast?

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by scottz

Jeff, that would be the Willamette River since he is already south of the Columbia on 84; right? I'm making the same trip next week.

Another question: are there any areas for boondocking on 26 between Portland and the coast?

Hi Scott,

Correct, you'll get on I5 South on the east side of the Willamette River then cross it.

We never boondock so I'm not much help there. But Stubb Stewart State Park is a nice place to stay over.

[jsb5717]

Keep and eye on the news for potential I84 closures in eastern Oregon due to wild fires.

[Keith Schweizer]

Yes Thanks as I have been trying to follow the progression of the fires. I noticed I 84 has been shut down yesterday I think.
I know the Fires are in many locations in the state. Are there multiple locations on I 84 where the fires are closing the Highway?

Thank You to EVERYONE for your replies !

[jsb5717]

I doubt the fires would be much of an issue by September, but Scott and Alta might have delays next week. The fire is between Pendleton and Ontario and 0% contained and moving quickly so who knows what might be closed next week. Just keep an eye on it.

[scottz]

We will be departing Salt Lake on Sunday; need to pull into Fort Stevens by Tuesday afternoon. Looks like we cannot depend on I-84.

Alternate routes I am looking at; all within a few miles/minutes of each other.

I-80 to Winnemucca, 95/78 to Burns, 20/26 to the coast.

I-84 to Ontario, 26 through John Day to the coast.

I-84 to Ontario, 20 to Burns, 20/26 to the coast.

Any recommendations?

If we get to Ontario and 84 is still open, we could keep going, but never know when they are going to close it.

[jsb5717]

Interesting. As a native Oregonian I have never driven those routes. I have driven Burns to Bend, etc many times but have approached from the South. I've always used 84 on East/West travel.

They all look like they would work. Looks like 84 is open right now. Hopefully it will stay that way.

[Carl n Susan]

Option #3 (I-84 to Ontario, 20 to Burns, 20/26 to the coast.) if you just stay on 20 all the way to the coast you avoid all the B.S. of I-5 and the Portland area.

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Option #3 (I-84 to Ontario, 20 to Burns, 20/26 to the coast.) if you just stay on 20 all the way to the coast you avoid all the B.S. of I-5 and the Portland area.

True, then a slow, but very pretty, drive up the coast highway.

[Carl n Susan]

That road from Portland to the coast on 26 (or even 30) isn't a race track either. But 20 all the way is 100 miles and 3 hours more according to Google.

[Whitty]

Try to go through McMinville. Stay at the Old Stone Village. Right beside the Evergreen Aviation Museum. They have the Spruce Goose…definitely a must see.

[MuddyPaws]

The air museum is worth seeing.

The RV park is great too.

[richeyb]

Avoid trying a route that goes through Portland!!

[Keith Schweizer]

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HAS REPLIED!
Our BIG trip is upon us and we are so excited. I have printed off all the replies from every one. We will try to get to as many as we can.

Again THANK YOU!!