Best highway from I-5 to Sisters, Oregon?

Thanks for the replies. I should be traveling through Portland on a Tuesday about 10 am, so I think I’ll chance the traffic and go the 22 to 20 route. Coming back I’ll go the 26 route.

I didn’t mean to start a fight. Next time I’ll ask something non-controversial, like should I run my refrigerator on propane when I am traveling?

If you get a chance, spend some time in the McKenzie Bridge area -- very beautiful river, nice campgrounds. Belknap Springs also has a good RV park, if you need hookups.

Don't rush through the Cascade Mts. if you can help it -- they are very lush and beautiful. The East Side (Sisters and Bend) is beautiful, too, but somewhat drier (which can be a good thing at times).

There hasn't been enough disagreement yet. Why not I84 through the Gorge, and US97 south? No climb over the Cascades.

Or 84 to Hood River and south up the east flank of Mt Hood to US26. Lots of nice scenery that way. Come to think of it US26 west from that junction is the one route over the Cascades that I haven't taken. The thought of seeing the Gorge was always more attractive than driving through the SE side of Portland.

Except for McKenzie Pass there isn't a bad route using state and federally numbered routes. Most of the 'best' opinions are highly subjective.

Whether it is easier or not, I suspect US26 climbs more. Government Camp is probably higher than the 20/22 pass, and then it drops to the Descutes River before climbing back up to Madras and eventually Sisters. Sisters/Bend is around 5000 ft, so that has to be gained one way or other.

BendOrLarry wrote:
22 out of Salem. I have taken our 28 foot motorhome that route many times. Much more senic than 26, and you don't have to deal with the traffic from I5 through Sandy Or!

X2
Have driven this route with our 32' 5er no issues and a beautiful drive. I have also driven the 84 to exit 16 in Sandy, not my cup of tea!

Here is what Google maps says.

from Olympia, WA to Sisters, OR

4 h 48 min
267 miles
via I-5 S and OR-22 E/Santiam Hwy SE
4 h 14 min without traffic


5 h 10 min
271 miles
via I-5 S and US-26 E
4 h 31 min without traffic

The key here is "without traffic". I-5 = TRAFFIC. Traffic near Portland and traffic near Salem will slow things down. And also remember, hopefully you are not trying to do the 65 MPH that the figures are showing.

I would do the highway 26 route. 26 is a much easier road to drive. I have lived in Oregon all my long life and drive / ride all over this state, plus others.

BendOrLarry wrote:
I still say 20. I live in Bend and have been driving from PDX to Central Oregon for 30 years. 20............!

26 over MtHood to Sisters 3hours.
I5/22 thru Salem to Sisters 4+ hours. Your choice.

We've taken 126 out of Eugene for a beautiful drive. Make sure you stay on 126 the whole way and don't get off on 242 across McKenzie Pass. You won't like it. :)

I still say 20. I live in Bend and have been driving from PDX to Central Oregon for 30 years. 20............!

BendOrLarry wrote:
22 out of Salem. I have taken our 28 foot motorhome that route many times. Much more senic than 26, and you don't have to deal with the traffic from I5 through Sandy Or!

Yea, instead you have to deal with the horrendous traffic on I205 and I5.

22 out of Salem. I have taken our 28 foot motorhome that route many times. Much more senic than 26, and you don't have to deal with the traffic from I5 through Sandy Or!