Bend to Eugene - crossing the Cascades

[SpaceK9]

Which route is best to take over the Cascades with a Class A with a toad?

Looks like Hwy 58 or Hwy 20 are the most direct but are the passes low enough and the roads ok for a 37 ft diesel pusher hauling a Jeep?

Or would we be better off another way?

[Desert_Captain]

Thanks for the great info. We will skip 242 and take 126. Like I said we are in no hurry.

[RedRollingRoadb]

OR Hwy. 242 length restriction is 35 feet overall. Lanes are 8 foot wide with only gravel shoulders, if any.

Could you do it in your rig? Maybe but don't be shocked if you finish with a missing mirror and several scratches or worse. Take your toad around the loop that paulj posted. You won't be sorry. Do take the short walk up to the Dee Wright Observatory.

Here is another link, I am on my iPad if some one wants to make it hot.

http://byways.org/explore/byways/2148/McKenzie_Pass-Santiam_Pass_Scenic_Byway_print_n_go_2148.pdf

[TwoTechies]

Desert Captain,
242 is still a scenic route but I would not chance it in a big rig. I would check with CG or the ranger station in McKenzie Bridge. The improvements may be more than I realize since I haven't been back there after the improvements. Again, Check locally. 126/20 is still a wonderful route. Note massive amounts of envy. Enjoy the trip.
Steve

[paulj]

OR 242 (McKenzie Pass) is the worst choice if you have a big rig. There's a stretch that winds through a lava field. It isn't plowed in the winter, and used to have length restrictions. It was rebuilt in recent years, so I'm not sure if there are still restrictions.

http://www.tripcheck.com/pages/sbmckenzie.asp

bicyclist's description

[Desert_Captain]

TwoTechies wrote:
Having driven all those routes many times in all kinds of weather and cars/trucks/rvs. I would take 20 to 126 (McKenzie Hwy) to Eugene/Springfield. You pickup 126 after the summit. Very nice drive and the most direct route. Enjoy.

Steve

Thanks for some very timely info. We are sitting in the McKenzie (river),
Bridge CG and going to/thru Sisters, Bend etc tomorrow. How is 242? It looks like a fun road and we are in no hurry. Wow this area I
s gorgeous!

[Blackcell]

You should have no issues taking Hwy 58 (scenic) or 26.

[amandasgramma]

padredw wrote:
In July we came from South Beach State Park to Diamond Lake RV park to visit Crater Lake. We came from Eugene on 58 to US 97 with no difficulty at all. There was some construction on 58 but very little delay. We enjoyed the drive. The only thing is that I was beginning to be in need of fuel before we came out to 97. Just be sure you have more fuel than I did when you start out on 58. Should say that we were towing a 34' fifth-wheel and barely noticed the mountains.

There's fuel on the top of the mountain at Crescent Lake Junction....and in Oakridge.

[padredw]

In July we came from South Beach State Park to Diamond Lake RV park to visit Crater Lake. We came from Eugene on 58 to US 97 with no difficulty at all. There was some construction on 58 but very little delay. We enjoyed the drive. The only thing is that I was beginning to be in need of fuel before we came out to 97. Just be sure you have more fuel than I did when you start out on 58. Should say that we were towing a 34' fifth-wheel and barely noticed the mountains.

[amandasgramma]

And here I am again, the odd man out. We live south of Bend.....we go back to see family in Salem all the time. We've taken the roads with 36 ft DP hauling a Dodge Dakota, in a car, and with Dodge Dakota towing a 26 ft 5th wheel.
Our favorite ride, by far, is Hwy 58. It is wide, little traffic, many passing lanes or pull-outs. I refuse to ride Hwy 20/22 to Salem.....too curvy, too narrow.
Hwy 58 (using the Crescent cutoff in Crescent, Or......mileage is 138 miles
Hwy 26 route......118 miles
Hwy 20/22 to Salem and down....196 miles

Our experience, numerous trips, it is actually FASTER to go 58. Scenery is pretty on ALL routes.....heck, it's OREGON!!

[robatthelake]

Unless You have a really worn out Rig, You should have no problems with those roads!

[romore]

We took 22/20 from Salem, road was in good condition with no difficult grades, I would expect the more southern route to be similar. 126 would be more direct than 58.

[TwoTechies]

Having driven all those routes many times in all kinds of weather and cars/trucks/rvs. I would take 20 to 126 (McKenzie Hwy) to Eugene/Springfield. You pickup 126 after the summit. Very nice drive and the most direct route. Enjoy.

Steve