Oregon is by far one of my favorite places. I have had the pleasure of driving through 43 of the 50 states, and Oregon is top 5 because of what it is able to offer. You will find that Oregon has something for almost everyone and I hope that this post can show that. This is Oregon Solo Travel: The Ultimate Guide to an Oregon Road Trip.
Things to Look out for:
Did you know that you can’t pump your own gas in Oregon? I almost got in big trouble because this wasn’t something that I knew. Similar to New Jersey, it is Oregon’s law that a professional attendant will pump the gas for you. This can be inconvenient if there are several people at the pump but you have to be patient. Pumping your own gas can actually result in you getting a ticket and having to pay a fine.
Prices may be higher than you are used to. You will see this primarily in gas prices, food prices, and the price that you will pay for lodging. There are a few tips that can bring the cost down, but unless you are from a state like Hawaii, California, or New York then there may be a bit of sticker shock.
A solid road trip will take time. If you are trying to see it all, or even just trying to do a road trip justice then I would say that you should plan at least 10 days if not more. Anything less and you will not get the best out of your trip.
Cities and Towns that you should definitely consider:
Eugene:
Eugene is a great option for a place to stop in Oregon. It is located right off of one of the major highways that goes through the state. This means that you won’t have to go out of your way if you are traveling up the coast or coming from either California or Washington. It is also great if you are coming from or heading towards Portland.
What I love about Eugene is that it is a super dog friendly city. They have off leash parks and dog friendly restaurants. If you are traveling with your pet then you should have very little issues with finding accommodations. In addition there are waterfall, a wine country, an emphasis on supporting local food and art, and also wonderful hiking trails.
Check out: https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/eugene/ for more information.
Bend:
Bend, Oregon’s saying is “Bend Oregon – It’s where you go to play!” This town is definitely where you are going to find yourself if you are looking for adventure. You can find adventure at the top of a mountain and also at the bottom of a lake. It is definitely a must see on any Oregon road trip.
If you are looking for the full package you will find it in Bend. You can work up a sweat on Bend Ale Trail then find relaxation at one of the many spas. There is the opportunity to see an art exhibit and to dine at award winning restaurants. I definitely suggest trying to see the mountains in all of their winter glory if it falls within your trip.
Portland:
All trips to Portland should start and end at Mother’s Bistro. The food and the overall atmosphere are amazing. Portland as a major city is one of my favorites because it has great people, great food, and overall good vibes. What I absolutely love is that the city is very drivable. The streets in downtown are wide and easy to drive around.
The city is sort of like a grid where the roads make sense and are easy to travel. I also think that there is plenty of parking and the parking is reasonably priced. If you have ever parked in San Francisco or NYC then this will be a breeze.
Other recommendations would include the Japanese Gardens, shopping at Union Way, and day trips to the various waterfalls. You can also see distant mountains, take some hikes, or take a day trip to the beach. Portland is in a prime location for almost everything that you want.
Check out : https://www.bendoregon.gov/ for more info.
Florence:
Florence is one of the towns in Oregon where you can experience the sand dunes. They have the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Once you get done with the recreation area you can take advantage of horseback riding that they have. Think of how cool it would be to ride a horse up part of the Oregon Coast?
Cannon Beach:
The views of the coast from Cannon Beach are unreal. I have so many pictures of the wonderful rocks and the waves crashing. It was a short 2 hour drive from the two days that I had spent in Portland. They have free parking right off from the beach. The town is easily walkable and the people are so incredibly nice.
If you are a fan of the Goonies then you will be happy to know that some of the scenes from the movie were filmed here. The sunsets over the water are indescribable and truly can’t even be properly captured in picture. Of all the places that I have been in Oregon, it is Cannon Beach that is closest to my heart.
Tillamook:
You should go here for various dairy activities. I’m sure there are other things to do but have you ever heard of this thing called ice cream? Well Tillamook is a brand that you find in a bunch of western states. I know that we have it here in Texas. You can go to Tillamook and take wine tours and tours of their creamery. What other reason do you need to put this on your list?
Lincoln City:
Lincoln City is like other Oregon towns where it offers an abundance of outdoor activities. There is over 7 miles of coast to explore. I would recommend Lincoln City if you enjoy hiking, golfing, whale catching, crabbing (catching crabs), or anything of the nature. I think that this is one of the towns where I would spend one day because you can get most of what you want done in about a day, maybe a little more.
Activities Prime for Oregon:
- Towns that are also worth checking out or driving through: Astoria, Pacific city, Warrenton, Seaside, and Oswald.
- Pilute Butte in Bend because the views are amazing therefore the hike is worth it.
- Crater lake because it is one of the most instagram-able places in the state.
- The Cove Palisades
- Smith Rock State Park and therefore Misery Ridge.
- The river trails in Bend.
- South Sister Summit: if nothing else you should go for the alliteration in the name.
- Paulina Peak
- Cascade Lakes
- Painted hills because it will offer a different geographical look to the state compared to the water and mountains.
- Alford Dessert.
- The summits which include Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, The Three sisters, Mount Hood, and Mt. Washington.
You can check out this post for more Oregon Coast inspiration: https://localadventurer.com/ultimate-oregon-coast-road-trip/
There you have it. My ultimate guide to an Oregon Road Trip. Just for my solo travelers!
Thanks for sharing! I am planning to rent car at Hillsboro and then make a roadtrip across Oregon state. I thing it is great idea for solo trip.