I am traveling into Portland with friends--who will be pulling 30ft. trailer I need to be let off near "downtown" .Will be staying in convention Center area..I do know the Public transportatio system and feel I can get to conv. center either by bus or light rail or even a taxi. However, need some help as to an area where a trailer can be navigated off freeway (just to drop me off) with easy access to get back onto freeway continuing on north.
Thanks for any help

from which direction will you be coming? up on I-5 North, down from Seattle, in from the east?

Traveling north on I-5

Okay, I'm not from this area, but this question seems interesting enough for this ex-trucker.

Looking at the online maps and satellite images, I think the easiest is to get onto I-405 North, then take exit 2A Salmon St. The ramp will cross over to the west side of the freeway, onto 14th St, parallel to the freeway. Get off there - lots of bus lines. Your friends just need to continue on 14th St, and there will be a ramp to get back onto I-405 north.

They don't need to make any major turn at all.

Now, let the locals comment on this.

I'd probably just get off I-5 North at Broadway/Rose Quarter (302A). To get back on I-5, the driver would go straight at the exit which turns into Victoria Street, make the next left on Broadway, then take the onramp right back onto I-5 right at Williams St. Driver should be able to pull over on Victoria to let you off, though it would have to be a quick goodbye. I forget whether there is street parking there or not.

http://www.google.com/maps/ms?q=Port...9913&z=16&om=1

From there, you could easily walk to the Convention Center - it's about 1/3 of a mile or so.

Both routes seem really simple considering the maze of freeways and bridges.
Many thanks for you efforts.
Kay

Both of those suggestions are good ones with the option of getting off at the Rose quarter exit being the closest to the Convention Center area.

On a different subject, why are you staying near the convention center? Are you staying with friends or family in a house?

A close friend of mine is attending a conference and I can stay in her room until conference is over. Then we will drive to Ocean Shores WA. to a beach house owned by her parents...As you might guess, all thia really saves money. without all these "friends" I'd have to stay home..
Thanks again for info..

Lucky you to have such nice friends!
Hope you have a nice time in Portland.

The driver of rig decided the route that "Andrew"suggested was the best for him to follow..
Worked like a "dream" We hit the area about 2:30 PM-No traffic.
My friend thought it was awesome that I could this kind of info on a "travel" site online...
I think I have recruited another Fodorite...
Thanks everone....