Touring - Best route from Portland, OR to the coast?

Anyone know the best highway(least amount of traffic) to take in order to reach hwy 101 from the west side of portland?

Also, is there a good route from the coast in northern california to crater lake np?

please enlighten me with your knowledge.

Ya got a lot of choices. Depends mostly on two factors: are you road-riding or mtn-biking?, and are you headed north or south? Since you mention Crater Lake, sounds like south....

Here's six options:
1) Hwy 30 to Astoria, along the Columbia River. Great scenery, can be heavy traffic from Longview to Astoria, but there are good shoulders the whole way, and several off-route alternates that are worth it just by themselves. This is the longest direct way to the coast, and the choice if you're heading north. This is Adventure Cycling's Lewis&Clark route.

2) Hwy 26 to Cannon Beach. Probably the fastest -- which is why you'll be part of a heavy flow of traffic. Avoid this unless time is critical.

3) Hwy 6 to Tillamook. Except for 2 or 3 miles over the summit, this is a beautiful, relaxing ride down the Wilson River. Head out on Hwy 8 through Hillsboro so you don't get freeway traffic on 26. The worst part of this trip is the 3 miles over the summit, it's steep, no shoulder, sometimes with heavy RV traffic. My wife and I rode this on the last day of 4th of July weekend last year, and it was a mistake. Do it on a weekday, in the afternoon (if going west) to avoid Portland holiday traffic. If it weren't for those 3 miles, this would be the best direct route to the coast.

4) Hwy 18 to Lincoln City. This is the best major road for low traffic, but it's also long and the choice for heading south. Some of it is Adventure Cycling's TransAmerica route, so you know they chose it for a reason. There's usually heavy traffic, but good shoulders, and side roads.

5) If you have time, the only choice is through Vernonia -- Hwy 47 and 202, to Astoria. Quiet, rural, slow.... the road is windy and narrow, but little traffic. You could spend a few days getting to Astoria, and enjoy every minute.

6) There's also a county road from Carlton (near Yamhill) to the coast, I haven't ridden it but I drove it years ago. It's gravel, would be a good ride on a mtn bike.

I'd choose (3), as long as you timed the summit to avoid RV traffic. Or if leisurely touring, take (5).

Don't know any secrets about Crater Lake, but Hwy 99 looks like the only choice from the California coast.

-- Mark

Have you got the Oregon Bike Guide and the Porltland by Bicycle map? If not, they're free... 503-986-4196

I second the Oregon Bike Guide. I have one that is already dog-eared.

There is a scheduled ride on May 14th called Reach the Beach. It is from Hillsboro to Pacific City about 103 miles. They have route maps posted on the web. If you use their route, once you get to highway 18 you could just stay on 18 rather than take the northern jog and go to 101 then Lincoln City. Last year a couple of trucks on 18 tried to intimidate some cyclists with jake brakes. The shoulders were nice and wide though dirty.

As far as a route from northern CA to Crater Lake you only have 2 choices. From Crescent City take 199 north and east to Grants Pass or from Arcata take 299 to 96 then north to I-5 near the OR CA border. I would prefer the Crescent City route. I have never cycled it but remember parts as narrow and scary by motor home. I think the shoulders were good to fair. I hope you like hills.

In July I will ride the STP and continue on to North Bend. I intend to spend Sunday night at Tigard. Still have to figure how to get from the STP finish line to Tigard. From Tigard I intend to go to highway 18 then to 101 to Lincoln City.
Phil

thanks everyone for the advice, I am ready to start hauling it to the coast in mere hours-planning to take hwy 6 to tillamook. just hope that the rains are not falling to hard. thanks again, peace out

hi balderdash,

You may want to check this out :
Reach the Beach event route information
Portland to the Beach: 103 miles

http://reachthebeach.kintera.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?

http://www.kintera.com/AccountTempFiles/Account12826/temp/Portland%20to%20Beach%20Bike%20Map.pdf

http://www.reachthebeach.org/

6) There's also a county road from Carlton (near Yamhill) to the coast, I haven't ridden it but I drove it years ago. It's gravel, would be a good ride on a mtn bike.
-- Mark


The Nestucca river pass. It is a very nice quiet UP up up HILL ride over the coastal range. But once you get to the river, it's all down hill to Beaver. There is about 2 or 3 miles of dirt/mud/lil gravel (downhill), and was easy to traverse with my standard commuter bike (though it did slow us down). There are campsites along the river which are pretty cheap.

If you're not up for biking I would suggest the www.tillamookbus.com. 10 bucks (15 round trip), it has bike racks on the front and it takes you from Portland Union Station to downtown Tillamook.

map! http://www.portlandtransportation.org/Bicycles/Touring/Coast.htm

edit: seems City of Portland would rather have us email to get directions. Bah.

here are some great map sites:

http://www.portlandtransportation.org/bicycles/bicyclemaps.htm

http://www.odot.state.or.us/techserv/bikewalk/bikemaps%20and%20touringinfopage.htm