Not sure where in Idaho you are coming from or where on the coast you are headed, but you might consider going west out of Vale, OR on either Hwy. 26 or Hwy. 20. Both would bypass the Pendleton area and the freeway. Hwy. 20 is probably flatter and would put you into Bend, OR and you could continue on west from there. Hwy. 26 has some grades over the Ochoco mountains which are beautiful, but a bit more challenging. Hwy. 26 could bring you into Redmond, OR and you could continue west from there to Eugene and further to the coast at Florence. Hope this helps.
