Best route from Seattle to Bend, OR

Not saying that the route through the Gresham area is perfect, but personally I prefer to be in local, street traffic rather than going bumper to bumper at 55-65 mph on a 3 or 4 lane freeway with everybody trying to cut you off or change lanes!!!! Used to live in Salem, and any journey on 205 felt like a NASCAR race, whether towing or solo.

First day through Seattle will be Sunday so bad but not rush hour bad. We plan to leave early am Monday or wait until we miss morning rush Monday on the way to Bend. DH decided on what pp said. Cutover to 205, then 84 etc.

If you don't start too early you will miss the in bound mess to Seattle and be able to use the Express lanes. This will give time also for the Tacoma/Fife mess to settle. Then again don't start the second day too early and 205 shouldn't be too bad and the exit 16 from 84 will be settled as well. The only real climb will be up Hood and that isnt real steep. Wtch the signs and going through bend is good also. LaPine State park is nice. If you want a little drive, John Wayne shot a movie on a river not far north of the Park and there is a fallen down cabin that was in the film still there.

LEN

TUCQUALA wrote:
Don't think that you will find any less traffic on 205 going down toward Salem. It is just as jammed as I5 but only straighter!!!

I would get off I5 to 205 in N Vancouver, then take 84 to the east as mentioned.

Well then there is the issue of exit 16 and the drive though Wood Village/Gresham area.

Don't think that you will find any less traffic on 205 going down toward Salem. It is just as jammed as I5 but only straighter!!!

I would get off I5 to 205 in N Vancouver, then take 84 to the east as mentioned.

Well now the choice is between taking 84 to exit 16 and up the hill to HY 26 and over the shoulder of Mount Hood.

That or take 205 to by pass the worst of Portland traffic, down to Salem and taking HY 22/20 over to Bend.

Map Quest

Probably. Sorry.

Sillybugs2 wrote:
No to the Elensburg route. We are actually starting in Bellingham and staying at Seaquest State Park one night to break up the trip.

Thanks all!

Sounds like the question should have been...best route through Portland to Bend!

Sillybugs2 wrote:
No to the Elensburg route. We are actually starting in Bellingham and staying at Seaquest State Park one night to break up the trip.

Thanks all!

Take #20 east ( the northwest cascades highway) to 97. beautiful drive.

No to the Elensburg route. We are actually starting in Bellingham and staying at Seaquest State Park one night to break up the trip.

Thanks all!