Oregon
Oregon Coast Highway
About this scenic drive
Every foot of Oregon shoreline is public by law, which is why the coast highway feels different from any other coastal drive in the country: state parks and beach accesses come every few miles for 360 miles, and almost all of them are free to stop at. This line runs from the Columbia River at Astoria down to Bandon, taking in the headlands at Cape Perpetua and the dunes south of Florence.
Astoria south past Cape Perpetua to Bandon, with public beach access almost the entire way.
Highlights
What earns the trip
- Cape Perpetua has the highest viewpoint directly accessible by car on the coast
- The Oregon Dunes stretch for 40 miles south of Florence
- Public beach access is guaranteed statewide, so stops are constant and free
- State park campgrounds are spaced roughly every hour of driving
Stops
- 1
Astoria
Northern start, at the mouth of the Columbia.
- 2
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Headland viewpoint, tidepools and the Devils Churn.
- 3
Bandon
Southern end, known for its sea stacks.
When to go
Best time to go
July through September for the driest weather. Winter storm watching is its own season.
Planner estimate for the mapped line: 17h 4m
Before you go
Know before you go
- Oregon state park campgrounds on the coast book out early for summer. Reserve well ahead.
- Fog and crosswind on the headlands are routine, even in summer.
- Sneaker waves are a genuine hazard on this coast. Never turn your back on the surf.
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