Road Trip in Oregon

Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon offers the perfect blend of lakes, beaches, mountains, canyons, and exciting nightlife. There's no wonder why Oregon's tourism industry is booming; there's truly something for everyone.

We're sure you're excited to hit the road, but let's first make sure you're a legal driver, understand the state's traffic laws, and are aware of exactly what The Beaver State has to offer you.

Driving in Oregon

As an out-of-state adult driver, you can legally drive in Oregon with a valid out-of-state driver's license.

OR State Traffic Rules

You can help prevent traffic stops and car accidents by brushing up on Oregon's traffic laws and other rules of the road.

Checking out the Oregon Driver Manual is a great place to start. There, you'll find state-specific information on:

• General rules of the road.
• Traffic signs, signals, and markings.
• Oregon's laws on driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Also refer to our section on Safety Laws in Oregon, where you'll find information about the state's regulations on adult seat belts, child safety seats, cell phones and texting, headlights, leaving children and animals unattended, and more.

Oregon's Major Roads

The Pacific coastline offers some of the most scenic drives in the country, but there are also several major roads that get to Oregon's heartland.

Some of Oregon's major interstates and highways include:

• Interstate 5.
  • I-5 runs north and south, and connects travelers to the major cities of Salem, Portland, Medford, and Eugene. It connects to Washington and California.
• Interstate 82.
  • I-82 runs north and south, and connects travelers to destinations such as Umatilla and Hermiston, and is also a route to Washington State.
• Interstate 84.
  • I-84 runs east and west and follows the Columbia River and through the Oregon Trail from Portland to Idaho.
• US 20.
  • US 20 runs east and west through the northern part of Oregon and east of the Cascade Mountains.
• US 101.
  • US 101 runs north and south along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, running from the California border to the Washington state line along the Columbia River.

OR Road Trip Destinations

As mentioned above, Oregon has something for everyone's tastes!

Below are just a few of the travel destinations you can check out:

• The Seven Wonders.
  • Oregon has deemed the following outdoor destinations as “The Seven Wonders," each of which offers its own unique experiences for horseback riding, swimming, rock climbing, hiking, and more:
    • Mt. Hood.
    • The Oregon Coast.
    • The Columbia River Gorge.
    • Painted Hills.
    • Smith Rock.
    • The Wallowas.
    • Crater Lake.
• Oregon Ghost Towns.
  • For those who like a bit of chills and thrills, Oregon delivers! From the old gold mining town of Cornucopia to the former seaport town of Vanport, the state is packed with ghost towns and other haunted locations, and many establishments are ready to give you a tour... as well as the history haunting each place.
• Oregon Country Fair.
  • This summer event boasts live performances, food vendors, and local artisans, and even provides multiple neighboring campgrounds.
• Cooper Mountain Vineyards.
  • Cooper Mountain Vineyards offers tastings of craft premium wines, while holding organic and biodynamic winery certifications for helping to preserve the environment.
• Enchanted Forest.
  • This family-friendly outdoor amusement park is settled in a forest setting and offers something for each member. Whether you're looking for child-friendly slides or roller coasters for the older group, Enchanted Forest has it all.

Portland

Of course, you're going to have to stop in Portland. This city with all its quirkiness has become a hot destination in Oregon, especially among Millennials. Here seemingly all the food is organic, everything is handmade, and the people and places are—just like they like it—all a little weird.

When it's time to let your hair down, Portland's various restaurants, pubs, and music venues are waiting with open arms. Don't want to leave Fido at the hotel? Don't worry; many of these locations are dog friendly!