The Ultimate Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

After spending over a week road tripping through Oregon, all I can say is… WOW!  Oregon has got so much to offer — from quirky Portland to the stunning coastline and inland through the many forests and waterfalls, you need to start planning a road trip to Oregon ASAP!

Planning a road trip itinerary through Oregon was a little tricky because there were so many places I wanted see but I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to fit everything in in just a week.  But, I was so happy with my final road trip itinerary through Oregon and think it’s a great place to start if you’ve never been to Oregon before (or even if it’s your second or third time visiting!).

Here is the ultimate Oregon road trip itinerary!

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Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Overview

I began the road trip through Oregon in the southern coast because I was driving from California but this itinerary can easily be started from anywhere as it can loop around. So, if you’re starting in, say, Portland, this itinerary would work great too!

If you’re planning to visit from another state, Portland International Airport is the largest airport in Oregon and will likely be the cheapest and most convenient airport to fly into.

• Stop 1: Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

• Stop 2: Tu Tu Tun Lodge

• Stop 3: Bandon

• Stop 4: Portland

• Stop 5: Trillium Lake

• Stop 6: Smith Rock State Park

• Stop 7: Bend

• Stop 8: Tamolitch Falls / Blue Pool

• Stop 9: Terwilliger Hot Springs

• Stop 10: Umpqua Hot Springs

• Stop 11: Crater Lake

• Stop 12: Urban Uprise Sunflower Farm

    
Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

Coming from California, the first stop on the Oregon road trip itinerary was the southern Oregon coast.  While driving the Oregon coast, I was charmed by the rugged coastline, the vast beaches and quaint fishing towns along the coast but I was seriously blown away by Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor along the southern Oregon coast in particular.  This state park is a 12 mile stretch of coastline very near the Oregon and California border.

Honestly, I feel like Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is very underrated!  With its rocky coastline, scenic vistas and secret beaches, it reminded me of Big Sur, one of the most beautiful and visited places in California.

You’ll want to spend 1/2 – 1 day driving Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor and stopping along the way at the vistas, beaches and trails.  You won’t want to miss:

• Arch Rock: this scenic overlook has one of the most iconic views.
• Natural Bridges: another beautiful scenic overlook aptly named for its natural bridges formed by the rocky coastline.
• Secret Beach: this was my absolute favorite spot. A short hike down opens up to a beach with rock stacks along the shore surrounded by turquoise waters.

Where to sleep: Taylor Creek Lodge | Beachfront Inn

Tu Tu Tun Lodge

Drive time: 30 minutes from Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor to Tu Tu Tun Lodge

After exploring Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, we drove the half hour to our lodging for the evening, Tu Tu Tun Lodge.  This quaint hotel is a destination in itself.  Situated on the Rogue River, each room has beautiful views of the river, pool and relaxing lawn area of the hotel.

Make sure to spend an evening having a delicious dinner at their restaurant — they just have one seating each evening (at 7pm) so make sure to reserve a spot to enjoy their four course prix fixe menu.

In the morning, take advantage of the hotel’s kayaks or stand up paddle boards and enjoy the beautiful Rogue River.  While kayaking, I was just in awe of the gorgeous scenery and even spotted some adorable harbor seals.  Another way to explore the river is by jet boat which can be organized through the hotel.  The boat takes guests around 60 miles up the river where you can spot even more wildlife like bears, bald eagles and osprey.

Bandon

Drive Time: 1 hour, 4 minutes from Tu Tu Tun Lodge to Bandon

While making your way up the Oregon coast towards Portland, consider stopping in Bandon, a quaint beach town.  With a charming downtown, beautiful ocean vistas and a historic lighthouse, it’s definitely worth checking out.

And it’s a great place to grab a bite if you’re a seafood lover — check out Bandon Fish Market or Tony’s Crab Shack.

Where to sleep: Bandon Marina Inn

  Portland

Drive Time: 4 hours, 17 minutes from Bandon to Portland

Of course Oregon’s largest city is on the Oregon road trip itinerary!  This hip and quirky city is home to breweries, book stores, museums and gardens — as well as delicious restaurants and coffee shops.  And while you’re there, don’t miss indulging in some donuts at either Voodoo Donuts or Blue Star Donuts.

I opted to just stay one night in Portland since there were so many places on my itinerary to see and I felt like this gave me a good chance to get a vibe for the city but you could definitely opt for another night or two if you’re a city person!

Where to sleep: The Hoxton | Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland | The Heathman Hotel | Jupiter NEXT

 
Trillium Lake

Drive Time: 1 hour, 21 minutes from Portland to Trillium Lake

Driving along the scenic coastline through quaint beach towns and then arriving in Portland, it was a totally different change of scenery… and then Oregon did it again when we arrived in Trillium Lake.  Only an hour outside of Portland is an absolutely stunning lake with breathtaking views of Mount Hood.

Spend the day taking in the beauty of the lake; we visited at both sunrise and sunset so that we could see how the light changed over the lake, as well as the reflection of Mount Hood.  There are also kayaks and stand up paddle boards available for rental — the perfect way to explore the lake!

If you have more time, you could consider exploring more of the area — I was hoping to visit The Oregon Lavender Farm, Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge and Rowena Crest Overlook but we didn’t have quite enough time.  Gotta save some places to visit for the next trip, right?!

Where to sleep: Timberline Lodge | Whispering Woods Resort

  Smith Rock State Park

Drive Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes from Trillium Lake to Smith Rock State Park

My first thought when arriving at Smith Rock State Park was “are we really still in Oregon?!”  Seriously, it looks more like Utah or Arizona than Oregon! 

With its incredible rock formations, this state park is a rock climber’s playground!  If rock climbing isn’t your thing, they have plenty of hikes as well. And if you are up for it, try Misery Ridge Trail which is a challenging climb but provides sweeping ridge views (and it’s the most popular trail in the park!).

Where to sleep: SCP Redmond Hotel | Brasada Ranch | The Lodge at Eagle Crest

 
Bend

Drive Time: 35 minutes from Smith Rock State Park to Bend

Bend was a total surprise to me!  I had no idea what to expect from this small city and was delighted to find that it was very charming.  With the Deschutes river running through town and mountains surrounding the city, it’s a nature and adventure lovers dream with kayaking, fishing, rafting, rock climbing and skiing all nearby.

Since I visited on a hot summer day, I spent the day tubing down the river and had an absolute blast!  After that, I explored the cute downtown area and had an unforgettable dinner experience at Bos Taurus.

Oh and did you know Bend is home to the last remaining Blockbuster on the planet?  It’s like stepping back in time!

Where to sleep: Riverhouse on the Deschutes | LOGE Bend | SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bend

 Tamolitch Falls / Blue Pool

Drive Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes from Bend to Tamolitch Falls

Tamolitch Falls is also known as the Blue Pool… and you can probably guess why!  At the end of the trail lies a stunning pool with some of the bluest water I’ve ever seen.  But while it might look inviting to jump in, the temperature of the water is very chilly (usually around 37 degrees Fahrenheit!).

The hike to see the Blue Pool is around 4 miles roundtrip and goes through a beautiful forest along the McKenzie River.  

Where to sleep: Cold Springs Resort

Terwilliger Hot Springs

Drive Time: 37 minutes from Tamolitch Falls to Terwilliger Hot Springs

What’s a trip to Oregon without visiting one of the many incredible hot springs?  Our visit to Terwilliger Hot Springs (also known as Cougar Hot Springs) was like stepping into a fairytale.  Surrounded by lush green forests, these natural hot springs are fed by an underground cave with the water cascading into several soaking pools.  The water is crystal clear and gets cooler as the pools descend — I suggest you try a soak in each!

The pools are open from dawn to dusk with a $7 per person entrance fee. Note that clothing is optional and the pools can get quite crowded so consider going at sunrise if you’d like to enjoy a soak in solitude.

Where to sleep: Eagle Rock Lodge

Umpqua Hot Springs

Drive Time: 3 hours, 28 minutes from Terwilliger Hot Springs to Umpqua Hot Springs

If you’re up for another hot spring soak on your way to Crater National Park, consider adding Umpqua Hot Springs to your list.  It’s a bit tricky to get to and will add to your drive time but it’s a very unique stop if you have the time!

The natural hot springs are made up of several terraced pools looking over the Umpqua river.  Again, I would suggest coming as early as you can to avoid crowds and be aware that these springs are clothing optional.

 
Crater Lake National Park

Drive Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes from Umpqua Hot Springs to Crater Lake National Park

Did you know the deepest lake in the U.S. is located in Oregon?  This dazzling blue lake is almost 2,000 feet deep making it the 10th deepest in the world.

The best way to see Crater Lake is to do the Rim Drive and stop at the multitude of scenic vistas to take in the epic views.  There are also tons of hikes to enjoy as well as boat tours around the lake and to Wizard Island.

If you’re brave enough, you can even take a swim in the chilly but crystal clear waters!

Where to sleep: Crater Lake Resort

 
Urban Uprise Sunflower Farm

Drive Time: 2 hours from Crater Lake National Park to Urban Uprise Farm

This stop on the Oregon road trip Itinerary is totally optional and probably only makes sense if you aren’t looping back up through Oregon but are heading to California instead (like I was!).

But, since it was on the way, I’m so glad I stumbled upon this adorable sunflower farm!  Nestled on several acres of the Rogue Valley, Urban Uprise Farm has thousands of sunflowers — plus other beautiful flowers and farm animals.

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Oregon Road Trip Tips

When planning a road trip through Oregon, you’ll want to consider the following:

• The summer months are typically the best time to visit as the weather is beautiful and everything is open.  During the winter months, some of the roads and trails close due to snow.
• If you plan to visit during the busier summer months, look into booking accommodation in advance.  Hotels and campsites can book up fast so it’s best to plan ahead if you can!
• Some of the national and state parks as well as the hot springs and waterfalls require permits to visit so make sure to have some cash on hand.
• Many of the smaller roads and highways don’t have good phone service so try to download maps and directions to your next destination ahead of time.
• Driving a 4×4 vehicle came in handy for some of the bumpy roads in the parks and forests!
• The weather can swing 30 degrees between the coast and inland destinations so make sure to pack accordingly.  Layers are key!