[32], The final section of the Olympic Loop Highway began construction in 1927 and was opened to traffic with a two-day dedication ceremony in August 1931. 2 Comments . Then continue west on WA 4 to WA 401 to Megler and recross the Columbia via bridge to Astoria. The amazing thing about the Pacific Coast is that it is still mostly wild, open, and astoundingly beautiful country, where you can drive for miles and miles and have the scenery all to yourself. Would NOT STOP at the huge blimp hangar that houses the remnants of an aviation museum. The Classic Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip | ROAD TRIP USA [13], US101 was established as part of the initial United States Numbered Highway System adopted by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO, now the AASHTO) on November 11, 1926. Winchester Bay has a number of good seafood places (Griffs,), and Sportsmens Cannery where you can buy canned or smoked salmon, Dungeness crab, and whatever else is being caught that week. The streets reunite north of downtown Hoquiam at a junction with SR109, which continues along the Pacific Coast to Ocean Shores and Taholah. The highway enters from Oregon on the AstoriaMegler Bridge over the mouth of the Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon. If you're reading this, you've probably heard good things about the Oregon Coast by now but I can definitively say words can't do this magnificent coast justice. [25] US101 crosses over Tumwater and Valley creeks and enters the residential neighborhoods as Lauridsen Boulevard before turning north onto South Lincoln Street. The Pacific Coast Highway (otherwise known as Highway 1 or PCH) is not the same as Highway 101. Here is my recommended itinerary for each day on this drive. [13][25], The highway continues south through Quilcene and re-enters the Olympic National Forest, where it turns southwest to travel around Mount Walker. We are thinking of doing it again this year, beginning of November, and hope the weather holds like it did last time. 16. While many travelers begin in Los Angeles and head north, driving the Pacific Coast Highway from north to south keeps you in the lane closest to the ocean. [12] The highway crosses over the South Fork Willapa River and intersects SR6 at a roundabout before turning north to travel through downtown Raymond. PASS THROUGH Lincoln City rapidly. Learn how to create your own. Hi, We are driving from Portland to Lake Tahoe and would like to stay on the coast as long as possible and worthwhile. I might start at Astoria and go south, you cannot go wrong. Lauridsen continues east to the Olympic National Park headquarters, the north end of the road to Hurricane Ridge, and the Peninsula College campus. The Perfect Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (25 Stops + 3 Whether you come for the coastal views of the lighthouse, Cape Blanco State Park is a little off the highway but it is not to be missed. Summer time is very busy for road trippers and we would hate to see you get caught on vacation with no where to park your RV because everywhere was already booked up. Oregon Coast Highway 101 5 219 reviews #14 of 2,809 things to do in Oregon Scenic Drives Visit website Write a review About Scenic driving route along Oregon's Pacific coast and through the mountains. No other words needed. In Washington, Oregon, and at the northern end of California, the Pacific Coast route follows US Highway 101. It was one of the best decisions weve ever made. Then after a week there we will go east by the road 50 all the way to ocean Atlantic. The next stretch of US101 (between Florence and Newport) closely follows the coastline, providing a wide view of the ocean. We recommend booking Oregon Coast Highway 101 tours ahead of time to secure your spot. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; [25] US101 turns east and leaves downtown Port Angeles on Front and First streets, which merge into a four-lane road near the city's golf course. 9", "Highway becomes a memorial to veterans of recent wars", Template:Attached KML/U.S. Along the more than 500 miles of road sits waterfalls, beaches, history, vistas and food that will keep you coming back again and again for more. Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. For more insight into each stop along a West Coast road trip, our content is arranged by state, with Californias coastline broken into its northern, central, and southern sections. Interstate Caf has great Dungeness crab sandwiches. is this enough? Washington; Text Reports. Kalamariverrat, Thank you so much for your help! US 101 (Oregon Coast Highway) Many places on the Oregon coast were virtually inaccessible in the early twentieth century. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I was initially thinking you could stay on 101 from Astoria down to Newport and then cut over onto I-5 but if you leave at 3 4 in the morning, youll be in Newport by 6AM and then need to cut in to the 5 so you wouldnt get to see much either way. US101 is often the main street through coastal towns in Oregon, which can cause significant traffic delays. We have only 1week to vacation but we wanted to do this trip this year. The turns are absolutely fun rolling! If you know roughly how many hours the drive would take, it would be greatly appreciated. Oregon Coast Hwy 101 is a Great Route to Take ! The beach is littered with driftwood and it is majestic to see as the fog rolls in. Hood; Northeast Oregon; Santiam Pass; Central Oregon; Willamette Pass; . We plan to drive the entire Oregon coast and are primarily interested in the natural scenery and wildlife. North Bend/Coos Bay is an area that once was a bustling lumber mill/port area. Thank you along the Coast, My husband and I flew to Seattle, Wa. Read about Day 1 from Brookings, OR to Newport, OR here. Numerous rivers. State Road 9 became Primary State Highway 9 (PSH 9), while State Road 12 became PSH 12; both remained co-signed with US101. Lake Quinault Lodge is a famous and historic hotel that sits right on the water. It includes winding roads, elevation changes, coastal cliffs, and beaches. US101 then enters Aberdeen and turns west onto Curtis Street before intersecting SR105 and its spur route on the south side of the Chehalis River. No trip up the Oregon coast is complete without visiting the Tillamook Cheese Factory. After passing through Sixes, Denmark, and Langlois, US101 enters the resort town of Bandon on the mouth of the Coquille River. Add in the many attractions and scenic spots, and we recommend devoting 5 to 7 days for this road trip. We planned to leave at 3-4AM and eat up the miles while there isnt much on the road and theres less visibility for the first part of the journey so less ooooo ahhhh moments. Fun fact: it's time to hit the Oregon coast! Reedsport is tacky, but has a good Best Western. 5. 1500 miles of national forests, state parks, plunging cliffs, crashing . Highway 101 Road Trip: Oregon & Washington Coast 4 Day Itinerary U.S. Route 101 in Washington - Wikipedia Stretching from Los Angeles, California north to the heart of Olympia, Washington, you're sure to see some of the most beautiful sites along the Pacific Coast highway. (If you are REALLY adventurous, take the car ferry here across the Columbia to Cathlament. [23] US101 then intersects SR112, which continues west towards the Makah Indian Reservation at the northwest corner of the contiguous United States,[24] and turns east to enter Port Angeles. Driving time: 10-12 hours. Are you ready for a Road Trip? Within the state of Washington, US 101 connects cities on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and encircles the Olympic Peninsula around the Olympic Mountains. Would you recommned this route? What about hotel reservation? just wondering if you recall the signage at the pull outs etc how about just parking somewhere and sleep in the trailer at night along the coast (and elsewhere in OR and WA? amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "travel gear"; Hey RH, We did this drive a few years ago so my memory is a little rough on the time, but I recall it being a really long driving day. Trip Planning for: Washington Highway State #101 Pacific Coast Scenic Byway Posted on October 4, 2019 by Bex. Safe travels! 2. Reminiscent of the more famous California coastal drive but far less developed and more rugged as well as cooler! I only wish we had the time to start from Astoria to get the full 101 experience but when you fly 14,000 Klm to get somewhere you do what you can do in the time available , right ?? I will be in Seattle with my husband and another couple. US101 then crosses the main branch of the Willapa River and intersects the south end of SR105 in northern Raymond. Any idea/recommendation? We're growing and learning and well -- we need help! Highway 101 Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary Day 2: Newport to Astoria, Highway 101 Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary Day 1: Brookings to Newport, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Astoria, 3 Days in Oregons Tualatin Valley: Where to Eat, Drink and Explore, Tips for First Time Visitors at Haleakala National Park, 7 Things to do at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, Too many great spots to recommend in Seattle, pick your favorite from. You can see a blend of old and new growth forestry and there are signs stating exactly when each grove was planted. [3][13], The highway leaves Ilwaco and swerves northwest to enter Seaview at the south end of the Long Beach Peninsula. Should be fun. [13][19], The highway leaves the Quinault Indian Reservation and enters Olympic National Park, where it serves several beaches around Kalaloch and designated campsites facing the Pacific Ocean. Meyers Beach is the first part of the coast you will get to that will take your breath away. US101 travels through the city and heads northeast along the river towards Raymond, where it becomes a four-lane divided highway. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. My son and I needed to get away after a series of family tragedies. Oregon Coast Road Trip: Best Attractions Along Hwy 101 - That Oregon Life We personally didnt do any camping on this trip, so Im not aware of any sites along the route. 5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary. US 101 (Oregon Coast Highway) to San Diego, Ca. We had limited time and because we started at Cannon Beach (which many Oregonians say is their favorite) and going south to go to the Tillamook Creamery, we saw a good amount and had cheese and ice cream as a treat. However, I see others doing it all the time. Cannon Beach is also worth a stop. We just could not stop pulling over at every stop (and Oregon is very generous with scenic viewpoint parking areas). 3. Read our. It's more than just a road. Is it safe to drive on 101? Next stop, Ecola State Park. Commercial truckers use 101. There are trails and viewpoints within walking distance of the parking lot. If you plan on taking 101 the whole way (until you cut inland towards Grants Pass) plan on it being a 12 14 hour day. My husband and I are dying to take this trip! You may get bored with the spectacular scenery. For an East Coaster like me, whos used to the glass-like water and manicuredbeaches of South Beach and the Gulf Coast, the Washington and Oregon Coastlines were absolutely breathtaking and stood in stark contrast. We now have a time share at Depoe Bay. [3][28] The highway passes Potlatch State Park before reaching the Skokomish Indian Reservation, where it intersects SR106 at a bend in Hood Canal. Bridgewater Fish House and the Harbor Light are also good. Best time to drive: Winter through summer. We are leaving Quebec Canada in 3 days driving all the way to Vancouver and then heading south by the 101 all the way to Santa cruz. There seems to be a state park every mile or so along the coast. This Page provides access to the web version of the Oregon State Highway Transportation Volume Tables, including the Permanent Traffic Recorder section and the Interchange Ramp Volume Diagrams. We get to the coast regularly. Where would our halfway point be from Oregon? amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Our trip began in Tacoma, Washington with our final destination being San Francisco, California. It continues through Coos Bay (the city) along the western edge of Coos Bay (the bay), soon entering the city of North Bend. I am planning a trip from Astoria to Santa Barbara,Cal.in June 2015 is weather pretty fair about this time and would it be fairly easy to find Hotels to stay in?? There are few roads that hug the coast for so many miles. 20. Make sure to spend some time at Thor's Well too. I grew up near Newport and until recently had a daughter living there. If you doubt that statement go and give 101 a Burl !! Washington // Oregon // California. See my review from last year for parking tips. #1 We are starting to plan our first big trip with our new 5th wheel. Note: mileposts do not reflect actual mileage because of realignments. DO AVOID the Sea Lion Caves commercial site between Waldport and Florence. The Highway 101 has several great points to stop and wander including the Lewis & Clark National Park in Naselle, WA. I have never driving a 40' or a toad. Oregon Department of Transportation - Oregon.gov : State of Oregon U.S. Route 101 ( US 101 ), is a major north-south U.S. Highway in Oregon that runs through the state along the coastline near the Pacific Ocean. It then becomes a two-lane expressway that bypasses Shelton, which it serves via a series of interchanges and a junction with SR3, the main highway of the Kitsap Peninsula. This lovely lakefront campground is one of the best campgrounds on Highway 101 in Northern Washington. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and Mission San Antonio de Padua. Copyright 2023. That's just what I needed! You will be amazed by what you see here. Our goal would be to meet with them halfway between our home in McMinville Oregon and their home in Fresno California. We found ourselves stopping constantly, just to take it all in. [29] The highway follows Oyster Bay and Scheider Creek southeast to the Eld Inlet in Thurston County, where it turns south and approaches a partial interchange with SR8, which continues west toward Aberdeen. Road Trip USAs Pacific Coast route begins at the northwest tip of the United States at Port Townsend near Olympic National Park, and remains within sight of the ocean almost all the way south to the Mexican border. There are lots of great places to stay on the road trip, but here are a few of my recommendations. What attractions are near Oregon Coast Highway 101? Hubby and I are thinking about doing Washington Oregon coast in July this year with the RV. Oregon Highway 101 Road Trip Guide - Outdoor Blueprint Driving up and down Oregon highway 101 is amazing. Highway 101 Washington Coast Road Trip Itinerary Day 3: Astoria to Forks. Thanks for the tip, Im sure other readers of this post will be happy to check out Manzanita on their trip. Good dog beach. [18] Lincoln Street continues into downtown Port Angeles and terminates near a ferry terminal serving the MVCoho, which connects to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. From what I read the entire month of October and first 2 weeks are the best weather wise. 26. Not too far into this ride, we realized there was an adjacent bike path called the Olympic Discovery Trail. Lake Quinault is a beautiful body of water right off the highway. Road Trip Planner Highway 101 Washington to Oregon to California. Dont get too close but be sure to check it out.