Stellarossa: Highway 101 in Oregon
 

What's the state of the road in Oregon? Is it a 2 0r 4 lane job? Is it, as it appears, right on the coast? Does it become the 'main street' as it passes through the towns or have they all been bypassed? <BR> <BR>thanks

Hi Tony, it's mostly 2 lane, with some stretches of 4 lane and occasional passing lanes. It does follow the coast, but is not always right *on* the coast (but you get plenty of ocean views as you drive the length of Oregon). In some cases, it does go through towns, but not all.

Thanks sheri. <BR> <BR>Whats the more scenice drive, the 101 or interstate 5 inland? Am I in mountaineous country on I-5?

Tony, most folks think US101 is the more scenic route through Oregon, especially when combined with the redwoods in California, a compulsory part of the trip. Inland, I-5 passes Mt. Shasta in N. California (spectacular), then goes through the Siskyou mountains on the Calif./Oregon boundary (OK but not terribly scenic as mountains go), and then through nice hilly country as far as Cottage Grove. After that it passes through the Willamette Valley all the way to Portland, around 150 miles of flat and rather boring driving. IMO the southern part of US101 is the most scenic, along with some lengths on the central and northern Oregon coast. There are some pretty unattractive towns on US101 which the highway transects, but the coastal scenery, beach dunes, estuaries, lighthouses, and Oregon's marvelous State Park system all argue for that route instead of I-5. If you're headed for the Olympic Peninsula the coast road also makes some sense in terms of driving time.

Thanks John. <BR> <BR>I take it 101 is never snowbound being on the coast? Does I-5 ever get snowbound? <BR> <BR>I'm really not fussed which route we take but I'd rather steer clear of bad weather. <BR> <BR>thanks

No, seldom snow on the coast. Think Ayrshire. I-5 gets occasional snow, in midwinter. The Siskyou summit is pretty low, so March ought to be OK (it is March, right?) I drove both roads 10-15 days ago and it was realllly stormy on the coast but warm; misty and hellish boring on the freeway, a little roadside snow in the mts. but nae bother.