portland to reno advice

Scenic route is US 20 towards Burns, then either US 395 S to Reno. Eastern OR desert route stay on US 20 to Burns, then OR 78 to US 95 down to Winnemucca, then I80 to Reno.

I would probably do US 395.

US 395 is my favorite north and south route.

I drive this route twice a year in the fall and again in the spring to Southern Arizona. We take I-5 to Hwy. 58 in Eugene to Hwy. 97 south to K-Falls then Hwy. 140 to Hwy. 39 which changes to Hwy. 39 in CA to Canby, CA catch Hwy. 395 south towards Susanville then continue on to Reno. Roads are good, now that they have done some repaving and very little traffic. Some grades on Hwy. 395 between Canby and Susanville, but not difficult. Other routes listed above are options as well. Just depends on what you want to see along the way and how far out of your way you want to go to get there. Hope this helps.

John

Longer but best scenic route is the 101. Then due East to 80.

jhlady wrote:
I drive this route twice a year in the fall and again in the spring to Southern Arizona. We take I-5 to Hwy. 58 in Eugene to Hwy. 97 south to K-Falls then Hwy. 140 to Hwy. 39 which changes to Hwy. 39 in CA to Canby, CA catch Hwy. 395 south towards Susanville then continue on to Reno. Roads are good, now that they have done some repaving and very little traffic. Some grades on Hwy. 395 between Canby and Susanville, but not difficult. Other routes listed above are options as well. Just depends on what you want to see along the way and how far out of your way you want to go to get there. Hope this helps.

John

x2.

Especially in the summer you have lots of choices, all with scenic stretches.

For example a southern route down I5 to California and then diagonally across on 89 maximizes your views a green part of Oregon, plus Shasta and Lassen. You could stick with 89 all the way to Truckee and I80. East on 70 at Graeagle (where Renoites go to golf) is faster, but gets into the high desert quickly (and US395 isn't particularly scenic in this area).

Alternatively you could cross the Oregon mountains on one of several different passes (or via the scenic Gorge) to US97, then OR31 diagonally to US395. This has a different kind of scenery, and will be hotter in the summer.

One trip I took forest service roads through the Lava Beds forest east of Shasta.

On my first trip to Reno, I drove down US101 (coastal route) with Redwoods sightseeing, and then CA20 across to the Central Valley and into the Sierras - with some detours into the historic gold mining areas. On the return I started south, Virginia City, Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Then 89 to Lassen (had to turn back because of snow), and across I5 to CA3 (Trinity Lake). I5 over the stateline, and east from Ashland to US97.

Here is another variation: we've taken 139 south out of Canby through Adin. (Great sandwiches at the general store in Adin!)

139 takes you to Susanville, paralleling 395. I am pretty sure it is a little slower than 395, but very scenic and empty.

I like this route it is Reno to Medford so just reverse it.
Reno To Medford Oregon Via Susanville & Mount Shasta
Reno to Hat Creek then onto I-5 near Mount Shasta
395 N, 36 W, 44N, 89 N & I-5 N.