SLC to PDX in Three days.
August 7, 2008 1:12 PM Subscribe
SLC to PDX. Driving, 2-3 days. Best way to do this?
I'm helping a friend move to Portland from Salt Lake City. Roadtrips of the East-to-West variety have escaped my experience. We're trying to plan a trip having good time, not necessarily making good time. We've got anywhere from 2-3 days, maaaaaybe 4. Everything within those bounds is game. We've talked about swinging way south to reno, we've talked about heading way north too. We're playing the whole thing by ear, but i'd love to know of any standout spots and stops.
Which route have you taken and loved? Where should we stop for food and drink, weird local sites, cheesey and amazing photo ops, and legit places to sleep?
I'm helping a friend move to Portland from Salt Lake City. Roadtrips of the East-to-West variety have escaped my experience. We're trying to plan a trip having good time, not necessarily making good time. We've got anywhere from 2-3 days, maaaaaybe 4. Everything within those bounds is game. We've talked about swinging way south to reno, we've talked about heading way north too. We're playing the whole thing by ear, but i'd love to know of any standout spots and stops.
Which route have you taken and loved? Where should we stop for food and drink, weird local sites, cheesey and amazing photo ops, and legit places to sleep?
If you do go there, you can drive the rest of the way to Portland on US 26, which takes you through Government Camp on the south face of Mt. Hood. It's worth taking a couple of hours to drive up to Timberline Lodge. If you luck into a clear day, the view is spectacular.
posted by Class Goat at 1:28 PM on August 7, 2008
posted by Class Goat at 1:28 PM on August 7, 2008
Bonneville Salt Flats, UT -> Black Rock Desert -> Reno, NV -> Lake Tahoe, CA -> Lassen National Park -> Mt. Shasta -> Weed, CA -> Klamath Falls/Ashland, OR -> Crater Lake National Park ->Bend, Or -> Mt. Hood -> Portland
posted by rlef98 at 1:50 PM on August 7, 2008
posted by rlef98 at 1:50 PM on August 7, 2008
If Reno's in play, I'd head even further south and drive highway 50 ("the loneliest highway in america") through nevada - it's an amazing experience. From there, west to the coast (via tahoe if desired) and up highway 101 (breathtaking coastal drive) is the no-brainer solution.
maybe like this?
google claims a 28 hour drive time, which seems ok for a 3-4 day trip. I guess it depends on how much driving versus sightseeing you want to do.
posted by aquafiend at 1:59 PM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
maybe like this?
google claims a 28 hour drive time, which seems ok for a 3-4 day trip. I guess it depends on how much driving versus sightseeing you want to do.
posted by aquafiend at 1:59 PM on August 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
If you are driving through Government Camp, Ski Bowl has Alpine Slides!
Public Service Announcement: Do not under any circumstances use the rest area at Government Camp. Avoid at all costs.
posted by peep at 2:51 PM on August 7, 2008
Public Service Announcement: Do not under any circumstances use the rest area at Government Camp. Avoid at all costs.
posted by peep at 2:51 PM on August 7, 2008
well, screw the scenic drive there...get there as fast as possible and spend your 4ish days in PDX. You can have a hell of a good time in Portland with 4 days. If you really need to spend the time on the road head north to Canada and spend your days in Vancouver, Seattle and then Portland.
posted by birdlips at 3:48 PM on August 7, 2008
posted by birdlips at 3:48 PM on August 7, 2008
Response by poster: I should have clarified: I live in portland, and have most my life, so hanging out in PDX for a few extra days doesn't really have that much appeal. I'm flying out there to help drive back...She is moving to Portland, so again, spending extra time here doesn't mean too much. I know the northwest pretty well, especially west of the cascades. We both used to live in Vancouver BC, and would frequently travel to seattle, portland, etc.
we're just trying to take the most entertaining roadtrip we can, while roadtrips are still *cough* somewhat *cough* affordable.
thanks for the responses so far.
oh, and peep: the rest area at government camp should have been quarantined a long time ago. worst. place. ever.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:56 PM on August 7, 2008
we're just trying to take the most entertaining roadtrip we can, while roadtrips are still *cough* somewhat *cough* affordable.
thanks for the responses so far.
oh, and peep: the rest area at government camp should have been quarantined a long time ago. worst. place. ever.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:56 PM on August 7, 2008
Highway 50: The Loneliest Highway in America
Lake Tahoe & the Sierras
Mt. Shasta & I-5 N to Ashland or so
Then Highway 1 along the OR coast
Ah, I see aquafiend & I are on the same wavelength here, except that I like Mt. Shasta and the northern part of I-5.
posted by salvia at 11:16 PM on August 7, 2008
Lake Tahoe & the Sierras
Mt. Shasta & I-5 N to Ashland or so
Then Highway 1 along the OR coast
Ah, I see aquafiend & I are on the same wavelength here, except that I like Mt. Shasta and the northern part of I-5.
posted by salvia at 11:16 PM on August 7, 2008
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posted by Class Goat at 1:25 PM on August 7, 2008