Highway 101 down the Oregon Coast is one of America's great drives. This 10-day itinerary runs north to south from Astoria to Brookings, covering Haystack Rock, the Oregon Dunes, Bandon's sea stacks and the Samuel H. Boardman corridor.
Oregon's 363-mile stretch of US-101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, is a designated All-American Road and one of the finest coastal drives in the country. Sea stacks, lighthouses, old-growth headlands and the largest dunes in North America line a road that rarely strays from the surf. This Oregon Coast Highway 101 road trip itinerary covers the full route over 10 unhurried days, driving north to south from Astoria to Brookings the way locals recommend.
The drive begins at Astoria, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, and works south through Cannon Beach, Newport, Yachats, Florence, Bandon and on to Brookings near the California border. Heading south keeps the ocean on your right and makes the frequent pull-outs and viewpoints far easier to reach. Total driving is around 363 miles, but the winding coastal sections and constant temptation to stop mean you should plan for longer than a navigation app suggests.
The Oregon Coast rewards travellers who like to slow down. It suits couples, families and solo drivers happy to swap big-city sights for tide pools, short clifftop walks, dune buggies and unfussy seafood. The road itself is straightforward, with no technical driving, though summer traffic and fog can slow the busiest sections. Any standard car handles the route comfortably.
Summer, roughly June to September, brings the warmest and driest weather and is the classic season for this drive. Mid-September is a sweet spot once the school holidays end, with quieter beaches and still-settled weather. Winter is mild but wet, and is prime storm-watching season at places like Shore Acres near Bandon, where waves explode against the cliffs. Pack layers whatever the month; coastal fog and a cool sea breeze are common even in July.
Start in Astoria, a working river town of steep Victorian streets and a strong brewing scene at the mouth of the Columbia River. Climb the Astoria Column for a sweeping view over the river and the Astoria-Megler Bridge, then visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Lewis and Clark history at nearby Fort Clatsop. Two nights gives you time to settle in before the coast proper.
Less than an hour south, Cannon Beach is the most photographed town on the coast, anchored by 235-foot Haystack Rock. Time your arrival for low tide to explore the protected marine garden at its base, where sea stars and anemones cling to the rock and tufted puffins nest through summer. Just north, Ecola State Park offers clifftop trails and wide ocean views.
Newport is the central coast's hub and earns two nights. Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon's tallest at 93 feet, stands on a basalt headland with tide pools below, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium is among the best on the West Coast. Wander the historic Nye Beach district and the working bayfront, and drive north to Otter Rock for the churning Devil's Punchbowl.
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The tiny village of Yachats sits beside the most dramatic stretch of the central coast. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area packs in Thor's Well, Devils Churn and the Spouting Horn, all at their most powerful as the tide pushes in. The cape's narrow summit road climbs to the highest viewpoint reachable by car on the Oregon coast.
Florence is the gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Ride them by ATV for the adrenaline, or walk the quieter forest-backed trails for solitude. Heceta Head Lighthouse and the Sea Lion Caves lie just north, and Old Town's restored waterfront on the Siuslaw River is a fine spot for dinner.
Bandon is the south coast's gem and deserves two nights. Its beach is a forest of weathered sea stacks led by Face Rock, unforgettable at sunset. Walk out to the Coquille River Lighthouse, and drive north to Shore Acres State Park at Cape Arago for cliff-top gardens and, in winter, world-class storm watching. The town is also the self-styled Cranberry Capital of Oregon.
The drive finishes at Brookings, which enjoys the mildest climate on the coast. It is the base for the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, twelve miles of arches, sea stacks and hidden coves including Natural Bridges and Arch Rock. Gold Beach and the salmon-rich Rogue River, just to the north, make an easy final detour before the trip ends.
Direction: Drive north to south so the ocean and the viewpoints stay on your side of the road. It makes the whole trip easier and safer.
Tides: Many of the best experiences, from Haystack Rock's tide pools to Thor's Well, depend on the tide. Check a local tide table and plan your stops around low and high water.
Fuel and bookings: Fill up in the larger towns of Astoria, Newport, Coos Bay and Brookings. Reserve dune tours, aquarium tickets and summer accommodation ahead, as the coast is busy from July to early September.
Weather: Coastal fog and a cool breeze are normal even in summer. Bring layers and a waterproof, and keep an eye on conditions before walking out onto wet rocks.
Ready to see every stop, driving leg and overnight on a map? Explore our full Oregon Coast Highway 101 route below.
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A 10-day north-to-south drive along Oregon's Highway 101, from the Columbia River at Astoria through Cannon Beach, Newport, the Oregon Dunes and Bandon to the sea-stack coves near Brookings.
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