Arcata to Portland
 

Hi again!
We are driving up the CA coast begining of Sept and were planning on staying in Florence before cutting in towards Portland (driving from Arcata) but with the mudslide it looks like that could be a mess.
My question is what road would be best to cut in from Arcata to get to Portland (staying a night somewhere)? I'm afraid of getting on a never ending one lane road of curves! but maybe that's all there is?
Thanks!

OK - I am much more familiar with the fires in California and hopefully tomfuller and other locals will have better info . . . but AFAIK there are several big fires in Oregon between I-5 and the coast.

Where is the landslide? But re your trip as a whole, with smoke throughout much of your route and fire dangers -- its starting to look like your drive is doomed :(

You apparently are flying in/out of SF. Are you going to Portland for a specific event / purpose? If you must go to Portland maybe consider flying round trip SFO/PDX and just do a separate up and back drive along the NorCal/southern Ore coast for a few days.

Looking at the Statesman-Journal's fire and smoke map - Oregon Wildfire and Smoke Map | statesmanjournal.com - and the NWCC's major fires map - NWCC :: Home (nifc.gov) - I don't see any major fires between the coast and I-5 north of the California line. Of course things can change day-by-day.

My preferred cut-over road has always been OR 38 between Reedsport and Drain/Cottage Grove. Short of more northerly routes like US 26, I'm pretty sure it's the fastest, and it's definitely the most scenic as it parallels the lower Umpqua River through a pretty canyon for part of the way.

If you still want an overnight on the coast, then I'd recommend Bandon, which has a pleasant seafront "old town" and a fairly good range of accommodations. Bandon Beach at sunset can be magical.

But I would definitely stay tuned to developments on the fire/smoke front and have some alternative routes scoped out just in case. The Oregon state road conditions website - Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck - Oregon Traveler Information - has excellent coverage of conditions and numerous traffic cams on most state highways, very useful for real-time checking on conditions. Be careful!

I don't know about any landslides in the area. If you do get to take the trip, I would cut over at Newport instead of Florence. There is some pretty spectacular scenery between Florence and Newport. One of my favorite spots is Devils Elbow State Park just north of Florence. Nice trail to a lighthouse, beautiful beach- downside is you have to pay to park.

"I don't see any major fires between the coast and I-5 north of the California line."

Oh - damn -- you're right. I had looked very briefly at the NWCC map (just glanced at it really) and saw that long line of fires east of I-5 and my brain went somewhere goofy and east of the highway became west of the highway. I really should stop multitasking.

I'm still curious about the landslide/where it is . . .

@janisj https://lastchancegrade.com/

Can't get that to hyperlink...
But it's Last chance grade, US101 south of Crescent City, they do say it may be done by Aug. 30th. Fingers crossed

Gardyloo Thank you for all the links, I will certainly check them all out and make plans accordingly.