Updated: January 4, 2024
Planning an Oregon Coast road trip? Start here to map out all the stops. Below, we’ve listed the most popular Oregon Coast towns to visit from north to south. Which one is best? That’s for you to decide! You’d get a different answer depending on who you talk to.
To help you plan, we’ve given you a brief description of each town with a link to more information so you can pick out the ones that sound interesting and add them to your Oregon Coast road trip bucket list.
This page may contain affiliate links where we earn a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our suggestions are based on our own experience and thorough research. Full disclosure.
Regions of the West Coast of Oregon
The western coastline of Oregon is divided into three regions:
Northern and central coast destinations are popular with Portlanders, so naturally these towns can be crowded when the weather is nice. The Southern Coast is a bit quieter, a little warmer and off the beaten path. Every region of the Pacific Coast in Oregon is worth visiting and each has its own amazing scenery, history and interesting towns to explore.
How to Get to the Oregon Coast
Drive time is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours west to reach the west coast of Oregon from the I-5 corridor. Your drive westward may likely pass through Willamette Valley wine country, the Coast Range and miles of state and national forests.
You could also come up the Pacific Coast Highway 101 from California or drive down from Washington. Whichever route you take will be the scenic route!
Coming from Portland? We’ve rounded up a list of day trips from Portland to the Oregon Coast in less than 3 hours.
How Long Does it Take to Drive the Whole Oregon Coast?
It would take more than 7 hours to drive the whole coastline of Oregon without stops. We’ve driven the entire length of the Pacific Coast in Oregon and would recommend taking your time. You could easily spend a whole vacation in one region, but if you are planning to drive the entire Oregon Coast, allow at least 2-3 days in each region if you can.
Oregon’s Pacific Coast Scenic Byway or U.S. Highway 101 is full of twists and turns, congested areas during peak seasons and slow-moving RVs, plus there are several scenic viewpoints where you can (and should) pull out and stop along the way. See sample itineraries below.
Transportation to the Oregon Coast
Driving by car is the most convenient way to travel the coastline of Oregon at your own pace, but there are some car-free options available. For bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Oregon Coast Transportation.
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Northern Oregon Coast Road Trip
Northern Oregon Coast Driving Distances and Times Between Towns
Astoria to Seaside – 17 miles, 30 min.
Seaside to Cannon Beach – 9 miles, 15 min.
Cannon Beach to Manzanita – 14 miles, 20 min.
Manzanita to Rockaway Beach – 12 miles, 20 min.
Rockaway Beach to Tillamook – 15 miles, 23 min.
Tillamook to Pacific City – 28 miles, 40 min.
Pacific City to Lincoln City – 22 miles, 30 min.
Northern Oregon Coast Towns
Astoria – Old Oregon port town known for shipwrecks, spooky houses, The Goonies, seafood and beer.
Side Trip: Long Beach, WA – 28 miles of beach on a peninsula famous for oysters.
Seaside – A classic Oregon beach playground, the city of Seaside offers bumper cars, arcade games and a shoreline promenade with vintage beach-boardwalk vibes.
Cannon Beach – Home of the famous Haystack Rock (also from The Goonies), the town of Cannon Beach is Oregon’s most popular coastal destination and one of the World’s Best Beaches with boutique shops and restaurants.
Arch Cape – Quiet, unincorporated beach community between Cannon Beach and Manzanita.
Manzanita – Laid-back, small, less-busy Oregon beach town nestled amongst Neahkahnie Mountain, Nehalem Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Rockaway Beach – Quirky coastal town on Highway 101 with views of Twin Rocks. Known for corn dogs, crabbing and giant cedars.
Garibaldi – Small fishing town with the big G on the hillside, a haunted hotel and historic steam train rides.
Tillamook – Fertile farming area where a labyrinth of rivers intertwines. Home of the popular Tillamook Creamery and historically known for aviation, clamming, crabbing and fishing.
Oceanside – Sleepy, romantic hillside town overlooking Three Arch Rocks, tucked between Cape Lookout and Cape Meares.
Pacific City – Eroding sandstone cliffs and sinkholes, Cape Kiwanda, another, bigger Haystack Rock, surfing, dory boats and the birthplace of Pelican Brewing.
Central Oregon Coast Road Trip
Central Oregon Coast Driving Distances and Times Between Towns
Lincoln City to Depoe Bay – 12 miles, 20 min.
Depoe Bay to Newport – 13 miles, 20 min.
Newport to Waldport – 16 miles, 22 min.
Waldport to Yachats – 9 miles, 12 min.
Yachats to Florence – 25 miles, 35 min.
Central Oregon Coast Towns
Lincoln City – The longest stretch of sandy beach on the coast of Oregon with 7.5 miles of scenic shoreline. Known for kite flying, glass blowing, seafood restaurants, Devil’s Lake, clamming in the bay and several nearby hikes.
Depoe Bay – Whale-watching capital of the Oregon Coast and the smallest harbor in the world, where big waves spray over the sea wall.
Newport – Picture-postcard Oregon port town set between beautiful Yaquina Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Iconic bridge, renowned aquarium, two lighthouses, great seafood and active historic bayfront.
Waldport – Small Oregon port town surrounding Alsea Bay, where the river and forest meet the ocean and provide ample outdoor recreation.
Yachats – Pronounced “YAH-hots,” a Siletz Indian word meaning “dark water at the foot of the mountain,” the name describes the rocky, wave-spouting black basalt shoreline on this part of the Oregon coastline. The town of Yachats is known as the “gem of the Oregon Coast” for its rugged beauty.
Florence – Near the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Siuslaw National Forest, this historic old town sits at the mouth of the Siuslaw River with nearby freshwater lakes.
Further Reading
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2024: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51So3-cTqKL._SL160_.jpg)
Southern Oregon Coast Road Trip
Central Oregon Coast Driving Distances and Times Between Towns
Florence to Reedsport – 22 miles, 28 min.
Reedsport to Coos Bay – 27 miles, 35 min.
Coos Bay to Bandon – 24 miles, 27 min.
Bandon to Port Orford – 27 miles, 32 min.
Port Orford to Gold Beach – 28 miles, 35 min.
Gold Beach to Brookings – 28 miles, 34 min.
Southern Oregon Coast Towns
Reedsport – Elk spotting, chainsaw sculptures, the Oregon Dunes and the beginning of one of our favorite scenic drives in the entire country, the Umpqua River Scenic Byway.
Coos Bay – Oregon port and largest coastal city with roughly 16,000 residents. Stunning oceanfront State Parks, a lighthouse and a scenic stretch of highway leading out to Cape Arago.
Bandon – Interesting rocks dot the beaches forming incredible seascapes in this charming old town. A historic lighthouse, riverfront boardwalk, shops and restaurants offer plenty to explore in Bandon-by-the-sea.
Port Orford – Small, artsy, old Oregon port and picturesque fishing town. Outdoor activities include hiking, diving and biking the Oregon Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway.
Gold Beach – Gold Rush-era Oregon beach town where the mighty Rogue River meets the sea. Hiking trails, fishing, gorgeous beaches and outdoor adventures including jet-boat tours.
Brookings – One of the most dramatic and scenic stretches of highway on the entire Pacific Coast and considered by many to be the most beautiful part of Oregon’s coastline, Brookings is in southern Oregon’s banana belt and is often 20 degrees warmer than other nearby regions.
Oregon Coast Road Trip Itineraries
How long does it take to see the Oregon Coast? Depending on where you start, the coastline of Oregon offers a lot of flexibility for a road trip. These sample itineraries will give you an idea of how to spend a weekend, week or longer.
One Weekend
For a quick Oregon Coast weekend getaway, spend the whole weekend in one town, or a few towns that are close together (within 30 minutes or so) like Seaside and Cannon Beach. That way you don’t have to spend too much of your short weekend driving between destinations.
4-7 Days
If you have 4-7 days, you can spend more time relaxing in one region or add a few nearby towns to your itinerary. For example, visit Lincoln City, Depoe Bay and Newport, estimating 2 nights per town and budget 6-7 days for the entire trip.
10-14 Days
It is roughly 362 miles (583 km) to drive the entire length of the Pacific Coast in Oregon from end to end. We’d recommend 10-14 days to see the whole coastline in Oregon, spending at least 3-4 days in each region (north, central and south).
We highly recommend exploring one region at a time and discovering all of the things that make it special. Spend some time hiking in a pristine coastal forest, strolling through a town or exploring tide pools on the beach before you pack up and head to the next destination. Explore the amazing nooks and crannies that you won’t see if you just stay on Highway 101.
Guided Tours of the Oregon Coast
If you’d rather explore the coast with a local guide who knows the area well, leave the driving to a pro and book a day tour of the Oregon Coast.
Campgrounds on the Oregon Coast
Camping is one of our favorite things to do on the Oregon Coast and we’ve visited nearly every State Park on the whole coastline of Oregon. State Parks are very well maintained and offer tent sites, RV campsites with hookups and some have yurts and cabins available for rent.
🌲 See our camping guide to Oregon State Park campgrounds on the coast for a complete list.
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers. Try it free!
Restaurants on the Oregon Coast
🍴 Looking for the best places to eat during your Oregon Coast road trip? Find top-rated seafood, chowder, local beer and more in our Oregon Coast restaurant guide.
Things To Know Before You Go
Oregon Coast Road Trip Map
Just click the interactive map below to learn more about each location and plan your Oregon Coast road trip route.
