Planning Your Oregon Coast Road Trip

Embarking on a journey along the Oregon Coast offers a tapestry of rugged shorelines, historic lighthouses, and charming coastal towns. From the bustling streets of Portland to the serene beauty of the redwoods, this 4-day itinerary promises an unforgettable coastal adventure. And if you’re up for a longer trip, try my 7-day Pacific Northwest National Parks road trip route!

This is the route I just took along the Beaver State’s rugged coastline–and I’m convinced it’s the best way to see what this section of the state has to offer. Follow along with me and watch the video below!

Psst: Please be sure to be respectful of the people and places you visit, leave no trace and maintain distance from wildlife. Also: this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no cost to you.

How to Take a 4-Day Oregon Coast Road Trip

Before you start your trip, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• The Oregon Coast Highway (US-101) runs the entire length of the coast (over 360 miles).
• It takes 6–8 hours to drive end-to-end without stops. But trust me, you’ll want to stop. A lot.
• I recommend traveling north to south (Astoria to Brookings) because it puts you on the ocean side of the road for the best views and easiest turn-offs.
• 3–5 days is ideal for an Oregon coast road trip. You can do highlights in 2 days or spend over a week exploring slowly.

Best Time to Take an Oregon Coast Road Trip

The best time to travel the Oregon coast is generally between the spring (great for whale watching), summer, and fall. Winter is a bit rainier with bigger waves. I love that fall is less crowded, but spring is ideal if you love wildflowers and wildlife. 

• Summer (June to September): Warmest and driest. Most popular = more crowds.
• Spring (March to May): Great for whale watching and wildflowers.
• Fall (September to October): Beautiful, less crowded, still fairly dry.
• Winter (November to February): Rainy but dramatic waves and storm watching!

Be prepared for rapid changes in weather. It can be foggy and chilly even in summer. Be sure to pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and good walking shoes. Even if it looks sunny inland, the coast can be cloudy. Always check local forecasts before heading out!

Day 1: Arrive in Portland & Drive to Astoria

After landing in Portland, the scenic drive to Astoria took about 2 hours and 30 minutes. This drive got me excited for the coastal scenery I was about to see–it’s an absolutely gorgeous landscape with views of the Columbia River. You’ll see Victorian houses, art galleries, and the famed Astoria Column to jumpstart your trip with beauty and interesting history!

Afforable Travel Tip: I rented an SUV through DiscoverCars.com– it’s so affordable that I’ll never book directly with major rental companies again. Usually, I book direct with Hertz or Avis, but if you’ve been checking, you know that rates are pretty high right now. I tried out Discovercars.com instead and saved more than 50% off what I would have paid by booking direct, even renting an SUV! Six-day rates on Hertz were $630 for a midsize sedan. I booked a SUV on DiscoverCars for the same time period–my total cost was $230.

Astoria is Oregon’s oldest city. It’s rich in maritime history and there’s no shortage of things to see and do! If you’ve got extra time, ride on the Astoria Riverfront Trolley along the waterfront with views of the Columbia River.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a deep-dive into the region’s seafaring past, and Fort Stevens State Park is the perfect place to explore a historic fort, walk along the jetty separating the Pacific Ocean from the Columbia River, and visit the Peter Iredale shipwreck.

Where to Stay in Astoria

On my Oregon coast road trip, I stayed at the Bowline Hotel. It’s a really cozy spot with jaw-dropping river views. There are tons of dining options nearby, from seafood to international cuisine. You won’t have any trouble finding something to satisfy your craving!

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Day 2: Astoria to Yachats

One of the best ways to make any trip adventurous and unforgetttable? Making scenic stops along the way. You’ll find several places to pull over and get to know the area if there’s a little wiggle room in your itinerary. Some to plan for:

• Salt Works: A historical site where Lewis and Clark’s team cured meat to fuel them during their expedition.
• Ecola State Park: Hike the Clatsop Loop Trail to the Tillamook Head Lighthouse–also known as “Terrible Tilly”–it’s a deactivated lighthouse perched on a rocky outcrop.
• Cannon Beach: Famous for its iconic Haystack Rock and as a filming location for The Goonies. Don’t miss Tom’s Fish & Chips for a local seafood treat!
• Tillamook Creamery: Tour the facility, sample cheeses, and indulge in their delicious ice cream.
• Blue Heron French Cheese Company: I stopped for a wine tasting, fed the farm animals, and visited the old-school candy store.

Where to Stay in Yachats

I stayed at the Adobe Resort in Yachats, not sure what I’d find there. Imagine how amazed I was to see the stunning ocean views and easy access to local attractions! This is a great place to hang your hat for the night on your Oregon coast road trip.

Heceta Head Lighthouse in Oregon

Day 3: Yachats to Coos Bay

Taking the road on to Coos Bay was so much more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. From water spouting through sinkholes to historic lighthouses and scenic trails, this is going to be one of your favorite parts of the trip along the coast. Yachats is known for its coastal trails and proximity to Cape Perpetua (don’t you love that name?).

I was beside myself at Thor’s Well. This is a natural sinkhole that creates dramatic water spouts during high tide. If you’re one of my newsletter subscribers, you know that I’ve talked about this natural wonder before! It’s truly a must-see. It is located right off the 101 so you can park at the overlook and see it from the roadway.

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is also on this route. It’s one of Oregon’s most photographed lighthouses and one of the best spots to visit for panoramic ocean views. The lighthouse requires a short uphill walk of about 15 minutes and is also a great whale watching spot during the spring months.  Don’t miss the Sea Lion Caves–the largest sea cave in the U.S.. It’s accessible via an elevator that descends 200+ feet, and you can watch sea lions in their natural habitat. It costs $18 per adult to access the cave, which is quite large and looks down into a massive sea cave where dozens of sea lions are usually hanging out on the rocks.

Hikers will want to check out John Dellenback Dunes Trail. This 4-mile loop lets you hike through the expansive dunes, named after the former congressman who was instrumental in establishing the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Where to Stay in Coos Bay

Coos Bay offers plenty of accommodations, from cozy inns to beachfront resorts. Keep your budget in mind and find a vacancy near one of the attractions you’ve explored. Get ready for your 4th and final day on Oregon’s gorgeous coast!

Natural Bridges Scenic Corridor Southern Oregon Coast

Day 4: Coos Bay to the Oregon-California Border

The natural wonders between Coos Bay and the California border are nothing short of spectacular. You’ll be able to hike, relax, enjoy memorable coastal views, and more lighthouses than you can count. What belongs on your list:

• Natural Bridges State Park: Take a short hike to natural rock formations with stunning ocean vistas. Truly a can’t-miss stop on your Oregon coast road trip!
• Oregon Redwoods Trail: If you’ve always wanted to experience the towering redwoods, this serene forest setting is the perfect place to take a stroll (and plenty of pictures). At less than 1 mile it’s doable for almost all. Keep in mind the trailhead is up a narrow dirt road not recommended  for low clearance vehicles. 
• Harris Beach State Park: This is the perfect spot to camp or relax on the unspoiled wild coastline before heading back to Portland–don’t get me wrong. It’s cool in its own rite, but nothing quite like the Oregon coast.

More Oregon Coast Road Trip Tips

While I was wandering the coast, these are the tips and facts I wished I’d have known to make my trip that much more fulfilling and exciting (not an easy task when this still ranks as one of my top trips of all time)!

• Make clouds and rain part of your plans. Oregon’s climate is full of cloudy and rainy days–it’s part of what makes the landscapes so unique and beautiful. Instead of planning around the weather, plan for it–but if you’re looking for drier weather, note that December through February see about half of the yearly rainfall.
• Don’t worry about paying for beach access. Thanks to the 1967 Oregon Beach Bill, all beaches are public property–that means free access to the coastline, everywhere you go in the state.
• You can swim in summer, but it’s going to be chilly. Water temperatures in Oregon range from the low 50s to the mid-60s between May and September–the warmest months of the year. It’s nice for a dip, but cold for prolonged swimming. The ocean current is strong, so make sure you pay attention to waves and the tide if and when getting in the water. 
• The lighthouses deserve your attention. Oregon boasts 11 lighthouses, with 7 open to the public. Each one offers its own unique history and breathtaking views, and I recommend checking out every lighthouse you pass on this Oregon coast road trip.
• The whale watching is world-class. Oregon’s Depoe Bay is renowned as the “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast.”  It’s especially active for these gentle giants during the migration seasons.

Embarking on this Oregon Coast road trip sets you up for a blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and coastal charm. I’ve been all over the world and trust me–these are the stops you don’t want to miss while you’re traveling the coast, from Portland to the California border. Whether you’re hiking through dunes, exploring lighthouses and Redwoods, or savoring local seafood, the Oregon coast is where you can find the adventure of a lifetime.