Commute question: Corvallis to Wilsonville (Portland, Salem: salary, to live in, budget)

[lalerla]

Hi all,
Yes, a commute question. I just moved to Corvallis to help out my aging parents but have had some job interviews that I'm interested in in Wilsonville. I've heard it can take as long as 3 hours to Portland in the morning, but if I commuted to Wilsonville and got off before the 205 bottleneck, does anyone know how long it could take? Your help is much appreciated!

[jjpop]

Originally Posted by lalerla

Hi all,
Yes, a commute question. I just moved to Corvallis to help out my aging parents but have had some job interviews that I'm interested in in Wilsonville. I've heard it can take as long as 3 hours to Portland in the morning, but if I commuted to Wilsonville and got off before the 205 bottleneck, does anyone know how long it could take? Your help is much appreciated!

You have to get through Albany and Salem traffic, which isn't terrible on I-5 (at least it wasn't when I was making that commute back in '08). The earlier you leave the better. I would say that you should budget at least 90 minutes each way if you have to be at work by 8 or 9am. If you leave earlier you may save 10 or 20 minutes.

Be mindful that winter driving can be rough and budget a little more time than you think you need.

[Larry Caldwell]

On your way to the interviews, time your trip. That will answer your question.

[Silverfall]

The start of the bottleneck is at Wilsonville. I agree with jjpop that I'd plan on 90 minutes maybe longer depending upon where they live in Corvallis and where you would work in Winsonville.

[AndyAMG]

Corvallis to Wilsonville...? I hope this is 80k+ salary job, for that kind of commute. At least 90 minutes.

[bler144]

I'd say it would depend a bit on what 'door to door' means. In terms of 'highway' time (34/I-5) from Fisher's Island Pond to exit 283, it's maybe 70 minutes on a typical day with the assumed 5-7 mph over the limit.

But that assumes you're getting off right across the river, and doesn't include local traffic time on each end.

If you have to go north of Ex 283, just be aware the stretch between 286 and the river can bog down just about any time for seemingly no reason. So the last few miles can be slow going.

And the stretch between Albany and Salem is often slow.

Can't say I would recommend it, but it is technically doable in 75 if everything comes together. But especially through the winter it's going to be a grind in the rain/dark. Better to live in Salem/Keizer/Woodburn/W'ville and just go down and visit the folks a couple times a week.

[lalerla]

Thanks for the reality check and your time in answering the question!