highway 97 in Oregon

Hwy 97 is a great route and some truckers prefer it over I-5. And it is by far, much more scenic. However, gas prices are a bit higher than along I-5.

Have fun,
Steve

:) :) :) I live 1 1/2 miles off 97 just south of Bend. They're ALL right about the road. And I agree with ktmrfs about cutting over at Crater Lake cutoff. That's one of the prettiest drives in Oregon IMHO....:) :) Enjoy!!!!

nice drive, very scenic, lots of things to stop and see along the way, lots of nice campgrounds near/on 97. All in all a very good alternative to I-5. may take longer but much more scenic and relaxing and like you mention, bypasses, portland, salem, eugene etc.

There are enough pull-offs and passing lanes that traffic isn't much of a problem.

If your heading to the coast redwoods, you might consider cutting over to I-5 at the crater lake cutoff on 97, stay at crater lake or diamond lake. Then hit I-5 south and cut over to the redwoods in southern Oregon/Northern CA by the Oregon caves to 101. On I-5 7 feathers Casino RV park is very nice and inexpensive, or the Valley of the Rogue state park has great sites on the Rogue river. If salmon are spawning, you can watch them coming up river.

Golden boys wrote:
Has anyone taken route 97 from Oregon into California. We want to avoid the area near Portland. We will hook up with I-5 in CA to visit the Redwood Forest. Thank you SemperFi

Beautiful trip. Don't know if you SemperFi'd long enough but Klamath Falls has facilities. Nothing special, but good place to overnight depending on space available.

Great drive. Slow thru Madras Redmond and Bend

Have driven 97 down to K-Falls. Good, mostly 2 lane blacktop with some bypasses around the major towns on the route. Somewhat curvy in the north section with some minor climbs, but south of Bend it is pretty straight!! You will enjoy the drive.