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The drive through John Day, Prineville, etc. is usually easy enough. Not much traffic, straight roads. Not much to see until you get to Sisters (there are some neat areas, but not especially noteworthy for the average traveler).
It gets really pretty from Sisters to Eugene - the sage turns to forest, and the roads get really windy. I love that drive from Sisters to Eugene - my favorite I've ever been on, even better than PCH1 from Monterey to San Simeon (in a different way, though).
Some of the roads might be closed in the winter - check to see what the conditions are like in that area.
From Boise to the coast it's going to be about a 10-12 hour drive, depending. If you're thinking of making this a 4 day trip, it's well worth it. You can drive Thursday night, Friday morning, spend Friday evening there, until Monday around noon. If you're thinking about leaving on a Friday evening, making the drive during the night, spending Saturday there, and coming home Sunday, not worth it at all.
I agree with Anchorless. U.S. 26 from Vale to Redmond isn't pleasing to the eye all of the time, but it's a lot more interesting than U.S. 20 through Burns. The advantage of U.S. 20 is that it has less twists and turns, but you're stuck watching a part of unscenic Oregon that most people in this country probably don't know about when they think "Oregon." Then taking U.S. 20 through over the Cascades to Corvallis is awesome.
If you've never been to Bend, I think it's worth the brief detour it would be from Redmond. It's a flat-out gorgeous high-desert city nestled up against the Cascades. I would chop off a limb if I could afford and find a good job there.
The drive through John Day, Prineville, etc. is usually easy enough. Not much traffic, straight roads. Not much to see until you get to Sisters (there are some neat areas, but not especially noteworthy for the average traveler).
OR-26 doesn't get interesting until east of Brogan. The stretch from there to Austin Junction (have had lunch or desert there) and Prairie City is nice. Much better than taking I-84 to Portland. Can also drive to Baker City, and take OR-7 to Austin Junction although it takes longer.
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Originally Posted by Anchorless
It gets really pretty from Sisters to Eugene - the sage turns to forest, and the roads get really windy. I love that drive from Sisters to Eugene - my favorite I've ever been on, even better than PCH1 from Monterey to San Simeon (in a different way, though).
OR-242 over McKenzie Pass is best done while eastbound thanks to the *very* tight twisties on western side. Rather go uphill than than downhill on those so as to save the brakes. Have not been on OR-126 west of McKenzie Bridge. OR-20 btw Sweet Home and the jct of OR-126 is terrific.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anchorless
Some of the roads might be closed in the winter - check to see what the conditions are like in that area.
Absolutely!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anchorless
From Boise to the coast it's going to be about a 10-12 hour drive, depending. If you're thinking of making this a 4 day trip, it's well worth it. You can drive Thursday night, Friday morning, spend Friday evening there, until Monday around noon. If you're thinking about leaving on a Friday evening, making the drive during the night, spending Saturday there, and coming home Sunday, not worth it at all.
We were thinking of departing early Friday morning, and leaving Newport around 11am that Sunday. Still, that doesn't leave a whole lot of time for the Oregon coast. Guess we'll wait until we can spend *3* nights there.
I agree with Anchorless. U.S. 26 from Vale to Redmond isn't pleasing to the eye all of the time, but it's a lot more interesting than U.S. 20 through Burns. The advantage of U.S. 20 is that it has less twists and turns, but you're stuck watching a part of unscenic Oregon that most people in this country probably don't know about when they think "Oregon." Then taking U.S. 20 through over the Cascades to Corvallis is awesome.
OR-20 from Vale to Bend is one of the most boring drives around other than the all too short canyon stretch btw Harper and Drinkwater Pass. Haven't taken OR-20 btw Sweet Home and Newport.
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Originally Posted by ramenfan
If you've never been to Bend, I think it's worth the brief detour it would be from Redmond. It's a flat-out gorgeous high-desert city nestled up against the Cascades. I would chop off a limb if I could afford and find a good job there.
We stayed in Bend as well as in Redmond before. Bend/Redmond is too crowded and expensive these days although the view of those Three Sisters is stunning. Also, Bend/Redmond certainly do get their share of heat waves.
I like the small towns btw Wallowa and Joseph on OR-82. The Lostine Tavern in Lostine is a great spot for lunch.
We were thinking of departing early Friday morning, and leaving Newport around 11am that Sunday. Still, that doesn't leave a whole lot of time for the Oregon coast. Guess we'll wait until we can spend *3* nights there.
If you left early Friday morning, like 4 or 5, you'd get there late Friday afternoon or so.
You have Friday evening to relax and recover, and you'd have an entire Saturday at your disposal. If you have to be back in the working world Monday morning, you'd likely need to leave around noon on Sunday.
It doesn't make for much free time to do it over a weekend like that. In my opinion it doesn't justify the expenses. I've done weekend Portland trips many, many times when I was younger, when I drove faster and longer, and slept less.
I think it's worth it if you can get that Monday off, and have two solid free days to spend there. Otherwise, I think there are better weekend trips from the Boise area.
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