Portland to Eugene: Top road trip stops in Oregon

There's a popular saying about the Oregon coast: 'Forgot your swimsuit? No problem, I'll loan you a sweater.' No doubt about it, the Oregon coast is windy, rocky, rugged, and one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the United States.

With its refreshingly cold Pacific waters, you’ll need to brace yourself to hit the waves, but Oregon’s 363 miles of stunning coastline has plenty to offer visitors. Abundant with amazing hiking trails, whale watching excursions and breathtaking beaches, there’s much to discover on a road trip along Oregon’s coastline.

'Along the coast, you can find everything from rugged rocks and jagged sea stacks to quiet sandy beaches and rolling sand dunes,' says Jaime Eder, global communications coordinator for Travel Oregon. 'There truly is something for everyone.'

If you're traveling through Oregon, the route from northwest Oregon to the southern border offers everything from scenic views to cheese tours.

Northern Coast

Seaside

From Portland, it's about a 90-minute drive west on Highway 26 to Seaside, a quintessential beach town. Browse specialty shops, art galleries and antique stores and treat yourself to an ice cream if the day is warm.

Seaside's 1.5-mile oceanfront promenade attracts joggers, walkers and even some rollerbladers and skateboarders. The wide, sandy beach is a popular spot for volleyball, picnicking and barefoot strolls. With its surf, sand and endless activities, the town is sometimes considered the Coney Island of Oregon.

Cannon Beach

A few miles south of Seaside along Highway 101 lies Cannon Beach, known for its majestic local landmark – Haystack Rock, one of the world’s largest natural monoliths.

Eagle-eyed movie buffs might recognize this towering sea stack from The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop. On a clear day from early spring to summer, you might even be lucky enough to spot wild puffins on the rock formation.

During your visit, make sure to stop by Ecola State Park by Tillamook Head for panoramic views of the Pacific coastline. There are various hiking trails you can follow, leading you to various vantage points in the area.

After leaving Cannon Beach behind, continue to Oswald West State Park, known to locals as Short Sands, to hike through dense forest or relax on the secluded Short Sand Beach.

'Short Sands is nestled in a cove, so it's (usually) sheltered from wind,' says Eder. 'This makes it perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and surfing.'

Tillamook

Foodies and cheese connoisseurs won’t want to miss a visit to this bayside town on their drive along the coast. Home to Tillamook Creamery, Tillamook is just under 40 miles from Cannon Beach.

The cheese factory receives a whopping 1.6 million pounds of milk each day. Stop by for a tour, showing you how their cheese and ice cream are made, with engaging family-friendly farm exhibits, too. Don’t forget to check out the dining hall or visit the gift shop to sample some fresh cheddar cheese.

Central Coast

Newport

You’ll hit the central coast when you reach Lincoln City. Continue 25 miles south to Newport, a fishing and shipping town that's home to an active arts community and one of the state's oldest lighthouses.

Not only is Yaquina Bay Lighthouse one of the town’s oldest structures, it’s also the only existing wooden lighthouse in Oregon. You can see the lighthouse from the outside or take to one of the nearby trails to admire the sweeping sea views. Head to Yaquina Bay State Park to start exploring.

Getting hungry? Mo's is a lunch spot known for its chowder, or you can browse the Newport Bayfront for seafood restaurants featuring specials caught that day.

Yachats

Take to the open road with incredible ocean views and drive the 24 miles from Newport to Yachats, a small town surrounded by miles of natural beauty.

Visit the Yachats State Recreation Area to admire where the Yachats River meets the Pacific and take a moment to soak up the wild waves. Yachats is a great place to look out for whale migrations, and the rocky areas are popular for angling and salmon fishing.

Cape Perpetua is a stunning headland with moody forests and craggy cliffs just five minutes’ drive from Yachats. At Cape Perpetua Visitors Center, check out the tide pools, take a hike, or learn more about the area from the park rangers.

The highest point on the Oregon coast, Cape Perpetua sits at 800 feet elevation and offers stunning vistas accessible by car. Look for Devil's Churn, where a narrow fissure sends geysers of seawater soaring into the air.

Across Cape Cove Beach, the Captain Cook Trail will lead you to Thor’s Well. This mysterious sinkhole is a natural wonder, drawing seawater into what looks like a bottomless pit. The best time to watch the magic is just before high tide. However, be careful to keep your distance from potentially dangerous waves and stay cautious of the tide. After your adventure, head to Yachats Brewing for hearty seasonal dishes .

Approximately 50 miles down the coast from Yachats, at the foot of the Siuslaw National Forest, is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. It’s a popular spot for riding dune buggies and kicking back with other sandy sports. With cascading dunes, the open ocean and lush forests, there’s something to entertain every explorer. 

Southern Coast

Coos County

Drive farther down Highway 101 and you’ll run into Coos Bay, North Bend and Charleston in the atmospheric Coos County. They all offer more sand dunes to explore as well as excellent fishing, hiking and bird-watching opportunities. The area’s eclectic boutiques and antique markets are well worth exploring, along with the Coos Art Museum.

If you're a golfer, you may want to continue down the coast and make time for a longer stay in Bandon, home to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Considered one of the finest golf resorts in the world, it features four 18-hole courses, a 13-hole par-3 course and a 100,000-square-foot putting course called the Punchbowl. The town of Bandon offers year-round beach access, golfing, hiking and fishing.

From Bandon, the trip to Eugene takes a little over two hours and requires some backtracking north on Highway 101 before taking Highway 38 east at Reedsport. Also known as Riverfront Way and Umpqua Highway, this scenic stretch of road follows the Umpqua River to Elkton, then travels northeast to Interstate 5 and Eugene.

What are your favorite points along the Oregon coast? Share your favorite ocean views on our Instagram page.