Leaving Newport tomorrow heading up to Portland. Looks like I can head over to Corvallis (came in that way) and pick up I-5 or drive up to Lincoln City and take a similar road over to Salem to I-5. Seems like major advantage would be to drive a bit of the 101 before we leave the coast. Any suggestions/recommendations regarding the two routes is appreciated.

We love the Oregon Coast and spend 3 months a year camping on and wandering up and down it.If you aren't in a hurry...drive all the way up to the Columbia at Astoria and take Hwy 30 along the river to Portland.

I would agree with you to go north a little, then out to Salem and I-5. I would hate to drive the road between Newport and Corvallis pulling a rig, especially going through Eddysville where you are on the old highway.

We make the trip from Newport over to Corvallis several times a year with our 43' motor home and toad....it's really not a problem and it's the shortest route.However, Hwy 18 (just north of Lincoln City) is a much better highway; but, you will have to connect to Hwy 22 and go through Salem. Not that big of a deal, but a little more traffic lights to negotiate and contend with.We will be heading out of Newport to attend the FMCA rally in Redmond in a couple of weeks, and I think I will do the Lincoln City, 18, 22 route to Sisters and then 26 over to Redmond. Change of pace.Ron

I lived in Salem for years....I hate the roads right in downtown Salem you'd have to go thru. I am also not a fan of I5 (Corvallis route is mostly I5) My choice is going up to Astoria and over.....:) :)

Come inland from Newport and drive 99W north. Great secondary drive. If you do stop and say hello at Sarah Helmick for lunch.

Newport, OR to Portland | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

Lowsuv
Explorer
Oct 12, 2014
My choice is to cut off to Salem using Hiway 22 from Hiway 18 .
I spent lots of time in Mac ( McMinnville ) as a young man .
What a great little town .
But traffic going northeast through Newburg is a STOP and go mess .
Having said that I tried going through Mac again on 18 last year .
Nostalgia and all that .
I won't do that again pulling a trailer .
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Oct 11, 2014
Did 20 to 34 and up I5 both ways in sept. Not impressed with that Eddysville stretch. Had a road rager pass me in a very dangerous spot. And as far as pulling off to let others pass since there is zero shoulder that won't happen. Not a fun run at all. Won't go that way again. Also found people quite grouchy in newport (sick of tourists I'd guess) compared to cannon beach. I think we'll stay North.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Oct 09, 2014
RoadXYZ wrote:
D.E.Bishop wrote:
I'm a little late getting in on this but for future use, I too feel 18 out of LC is best. After all, The Otis Café is on that route and it's great any time but breakfast is fantastic. We use to drive up there from our cottage in Yachats just for breakfast. - skipped portions -

Is there room for a truck & 30 ft. travel trailer to park there ?

Plenty of room to park there.....was just there yesterday(Wed.).
RoadXYZ
Explorer II
Oct 08, 2014
D.E.Bishop wrote:
I'm a little late getting in on this but for future use, I too feel 18 out of LC is best. After all, The Otis Café is on that route and it's great any time but breakfast is fantastic. We use to drive up there from our cottage in Yachats just for breakfast. - skipped portions -

Is there room for a truck & 30 ft. travel trailer to park there ?
jmac
Explorer
Aug 02, 2014
I would do Lincoln City, then 18 w thru McMinville, see the Spruce Goose, pick up 99w, connect to I-5 near tigard. I would avoid going thru Salem if possible.Again , if not in a hurry and don't care about seeing Spruce Goose, go all the way to Astoria or at least Seaside and Cannon Beach then cut over on 26.

safe travels

jmac
lanerd
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2014
Not to be contentious, but there is no good fueling in either Newport, Phillomath, or Corvallis for a 42' motor home pulling a toad. The best bet (that I'm aware of) is to go over to I-5 via 20 and 34. At the intersection of 34 and I-5, there is on the east side a 76 that is very doable and also a CFM (I think) truck station beside the 76 that will take public vehicles. Both of these are easy in and easy out.

Or, once on I-5 going north towards Portland, just north of Salem is a Pilot/FJ station.

Also, if you want to go 99W out of Corvallis, you first have to go through downtown Corvallis. Not a good idea.

The shortest, easiest, most direct, and have access to easy diesel....is 20 to 34 to I-5.

Ron
stfnwuf
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
Duke-44 wrote:
I would agree with you to go north a little, then out to Salem and I-5. I would hate to drive the road between Newport and Corvallis pulling a rig, especially going through Eddysville where you are on the old highway.

We just did that route from Newport as we were headed to Eugene (via old 99) and found to be a nice drive and easy tow. The scenery was lovely.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2014
cpaulsen wrote:
North to Lincoln City.....east on Hwy.18 to McMinnville...Hwy.99 north.

Done them all at one time or another. This is possibly the worst traffic wise. Cut over on 22 to Salem is way faster and less stress if you want to go that way. But you still have to fight the Lincoln City traffic mess. Still the best by far from Newport is due east to Philomath and either go up I5 or 99W. Which is fast becoming my preferred route. And not just because I live on the west side of the valley now, but because of the far less traffic and a more relaxing drive.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014
I'm a little late getting in on this but for future use, I too feel 18 out of LC is best. After all, The Otis Café is on that route and it's great any time but breakfast is fantastic. We use to drive up there from our cottage in Yachats just for breakfast. Our DGS is first through the door and grabs a loaf of the pumpkin bread before we get seated. He doesn't want to miss out on having that later. The DGD will eat a half serving of the German potatoes, about 2/3 at the café and the rest for dinner that night. During the summer they have the patio open and it's such fun to sit out there watching all the cars speeding by, those poor folks not knowing what they are missing.

We have even been known to stop there for breakfast and then leisurely drive up 101 from there and take 30 across to Portland. Don't like going there but that way extends the time and sights.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jul 29, 2014
Sinnettc wrote:
Donn0128 - is that the little park on the Luckiamute at the base of the big hill? Didn't realize there were camp hosts there.

Yes, first state park in Oregon. Two decent beaches for playing in the river. They have a host here in the summer to help keep it looking nice. Other than the mice it is a good park