Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Suggestions Please
 

First question--better to drive south to north along the coast or vice versa?

My husband and I are driving with a small dog from Oakland California, returning to Oakland. Start and end spots can't be changed. (We're budget travelers)

Here's our tentative itinerary for your suggestions (Assuming south to north on coast, but could be reversed)

Day 1: Leaving Oakland about 11:00 am Rt. 5 north(can't get away much earlier, although on the road we will start around 8:30 or 9:00 each day) Stop for the night somewhere in northern California

Day 2: north to Rt. 42 then west to Brandon. Spend the night in that vicinity

Day 3: north on 101 I would like to spend the night in Garibaldi, because I like the looks of the Garibaldi Inn and RV park.

Day 4: North on 101 to Astoria and then east on 30 to Portland area. Spend two nights there

Day 5: drive the Columbia River Gorge and return to the same place stayed Day 4

Day 6: Morning in Portland and head south on Rt. 5 Spend the night around Eugene

Day 7: Drive rest of way to Oakland and spend the night.

Day 8: fly home. (Flight leaves at 1:45 p.m.

Any scheduling suggestions? (I've read through previous posts on the coast and Columbia River, so you don't have to repeat the suggestions).

I would reverse it so that you are heading south along the coast. It is much easier to pull over for viewpoints and places to visit, and then easier to get back onto the highway. Northbound means you are crossing traffic.

We have made the drive between the bay area and Portland many times. If we stop, we do Yreka or Weed. Not much in either location, but there are decent hotels.

I would not spend 2 nights in Astoria. I would add another night along the way so you are not backtracking for lodging.

I agree with your logic on South to north, so I need to turn the plan upside down.
I'm sorry if I wasn't clear--planning on going THROUGH Astoria to spend a couple of nights in the Portland area--and do the Columbia River jaunt from there.

I'll revise and repost with the first leg going up I-5 and coming down the coast.

Vera

September? February?

Sorry, thought I mentioned the month--September.
Her's a revised itinerary going north to south on the coast.

Day 1: Leaving Oakland 10-11 am. N. on I-5, Overnight in Ashland or Medford OR
Day 2: No. on I-5 to east side of Portland or Troutdale.
Overnight Portland area
Day 3: Drive the Columbia River gorge, overnight Portland area.
Day 4: 1/2 day in Portland, drive to Astoria and on to Garibaldi
Overnight in Garibaldi
Day 5: S. to Coos Bay or Bandon O.N. in one of those
Day 6: Overnight same town as Day 5
Day 7: over to I-5 and down to Medford. Overnight in Medford
Day 8: Back to Oakland Overnight Oakland
Day 9: Midday flight home

Alternative: Day 7:continue down coast to Eureka CA area for overnight.
Day 8: Continue to Oakland

good.