The Oregon Coast offers some of America’s most spectacular ocean driving, with Highway 101 serving as the spine for countless scenic detours that showcase everything from towering sea stacks to intimate coastal villages. This rugged coastline stretches for 362 miles from the Columbia River to California andt presents drivers with an ever-changing landscape of sandy beaches, rocky headlands, dense forests, and charming communities that have maintained their authentic character despite growing tourism.
The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway designation recognizes this route as one of the nation’s premier driving experiences. Still, the real magic happens when you venture off the main highway to explore the smaller roads that lead to hidden viewpoints and local treasures.
Each section of the Oregon Coast offers distinct personalities and driving experiences, from the wild northern beaches to the intimate southern coves. Here is a list of 20 scenic drives that showcase the diverse beauty and character of Oregon’s magnificent coastline.
Highway 101 Through Cannon Beach
The stretch of Highway 101 through Cannon Beach provides classic Oregon Coast scenery with the iconic Haystack Rock dominating the sandy shoreline. This drive offers multiple pullouts where visitors can stop to photograph the 235-foot sea stack and explore tide pools during low tide.
The route passes through the charming downtown area, where art galleries and cafés create a perfect base for exploring one of Oregon’s most photographed coastal destinations.
Sunset Highway to Seaside
The drive from Portland to Seaside via Highway 26 offers a dramatic transition from urban landscapes to coastal grandeur in just 90 minutes. This route passes through the Coast Range mountains with dense forests giving way to glimpses of the Pacific Ocean as you approach the coast.
The final descent into Seaside provides panoramic views of the ocean and the historic resort town that has welcomed visitors since the early 1900s.
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Three Capes Scenic Loop
This 40-mile loop off Highway 101 near Tillamook showcases three of Oregon’s most dramatic coastal headlands: Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, and Cape Meares. The drive includes stops at Pacific City, where dory boats launch directly through the surf, the lighthouse at Cape Meares, and Cape Lookout State Park with its old-growth forest trail.
Each cape offers unique perspectives on Oregon’s coastal geology and the powerful forces that shaped this rugged shoreline.
Highway 18 to Lincoln City
The route from the Willamette Valley to Lincoln City via Highway 18 provides one of the most convenient access points to the central Oregon Coast. This drive passes through rolling farmland and Coast Range forests before descending to reveal expansive ocean views and Lincoln City’s seven miles of sandy beaches.
The final approach offers dramatic vistas of the Siletz Bay and the coastal mountains that create Lincoln City’s distinctive setting.
Otter Crest Loop
This scenic detour north of Newport follows the old Highway 101 route along Otter Crest, providing elevated views of the coastline that the modern highway bypasses. The narrow, winding road passes through dense coastal forest before emerging at viewpoints that overlook Devil’s Punchbowl and the offshore islands that dot this section of the coast.
The drive demonstrates how the original coastal highway was built to showcase scenery rather than simply move traffic efficiently.
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Highway 101 Through Yachats
The section of Highway 101 through Yachats offers some of the most intimate coastal driving in Oregon, with the road running directly alongside rocky shores and tide pools. This stretch provides numerous opportunities to stop and explore the intertidal zone, with Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn offering dramatic displays of wave action.
The drive through town showcases how a small coastal community can maintain its character while welcoming visitors to share in its natural beauty.
McKenzie Pass Highway to Florence
Highway 126 from Eugene to Florence provides a scenic alternative to the more direct Interstate 5 route. It passes through the Cascade Mountains before descending to the coast.
This drive offers views of lava fields, mountain lakes, and old-growth forests before reaching the expansive dunes that make Florence unique among Oregon’s coastal communities. The contrast between mountain and coastal landscapes makes this one of Oregon’s most diverse scenic drives.
Oregon Dunes Scenic Byway
The loop road through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area showcases a landscape unlike anywhere else on the Oregon Coast. Massive sand dunes create an almost desert-like environment just miles from the ocean. This drive passes through ecosystems ranging from coastal forests to open dunes, where off-road vehicles create temporary roads across the shifting sands.
The route demonstrates the dynamic nature of coastal environments and the ongoing interaction between wind, sand, and vegetation.
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Highway 101 Through Bandon
The approach to Bandon from the north provides one of Oregon’s most dramatic coastal drives. The highway offers elevated views of sea stacks, natural arches, and rocky beaches that define the southern coast.
This section passes numerous state parks and viewpoints where visitors can explore tide pools and photograph the offshore rock formations that make Bandon famous among landscape photographers. The drive showcases the wilder character of Oregon’s southern coastline, where geological forces remain highly visible.
Rogue River Scenic Byway
Highway 101 along the Rogue River near Gold Beach offers a unique combination of coastal and river scenery, with the road following the river upstream through increasingly dramatic canyon landscapes. This drive provides access to jet boat tours that explore the wild and scenic sections of the Rogue River while offering views of coastal mountains and old-growth forests.
The route demonstrates how Oregon’s coastal rivers create corridors that connect the ocean and the mountains spectacularly.
Chetco River Road
The Chetco River Road from Brookings leads inland through some of Oregon’s most pristine coastal forest, following the river through increasingly wild landscapes toward the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. This drive offers opportunities to see old-growth myrtle trees, swimming holes, and mountain views that showcase the diversity of ecosystems found in Oregon’s coastal region.
The road demonstrates how coastal communities serve as gateways to wilderness areas that preserve the region’s natural heritage.
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Highway 101 Through Port Orford
The section of Highway 101 through Port Orford provides some of the most elevated coastal driving in Oregon, with the highway running along bluffs that offer panoramic ocean views. This stretch passes through one of the westernmost communities in the continental United States, where commercial fishing boats are lifted by crane rather than using traditional harbors.
The drive showcases the challenges and opportunities that define life on Oregon’s rugged southern coast.
Nestucca River Scenic Byway
Highway 22 from Salem to the coast follows the Nestucca River through agricultural valleys and Coast Range forests before reaching Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda. This drive passes through small farming communities and provides access to the Nestucca River, known for its salmon runs and steelhead fishing.
The route offers a classic Oregon experience of mountains, rivers, and coastal destinations connected by scenic rural highways.
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
The road to Cape Perpetua provides access to the highest point on the Oregon Coast, with viewpoints offering 360-degree views of the ocean, forest, and coastal mountains. This drive includes stops at the visitor center, various hiking trails, and viewpoints that showcase the power of ocean waves against rocky shores.
The route demonstrates how relatively short detours from Highway 101 can provide access to some of Oregon’s most spectacular coastal scenery.
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Highway 229 to Reedsport
The drive from Eugene to Reedsport via Highway 36 and 229 offers a scenic alternative to the more direct routes. It passes through Coast Range forests and provides access to the Siuslaw River. This route showcases the logging heritage that shaped much of Oregon’s coastal region while giving glimpses of recovering forests and wildlife habitat.
The drive connects the Willamette Valley to the unique dune landscapes near Reedsport and Florence.
Siletz River Scenic Byway
Highway 229 follows the Siletz River from the coast inland through increasingly mountainous terrain, providing access to some of Oregon’s most pristine coastal watersheds. This drive passes through small communities that depend on forest resources while offering opportunities to explore river access points and hiking trails. The route demonstrates how Oregon’s coastal rivers create corridors that support both human communities and wildlife habitat.
Highway 101 Through Manzanita
The section of Highway 101 through Manzanita offers a more intimate coastal driving experience. The small community provides access to seven miles of sandy beach backed by coastal forest.
This drive passes Neahkahnie Mountain, where hiking trails provide elevated views of the coastline and access to beaches that remain relatively undeveloped. The route showcases how some Oregon coastal communities have maintained their quiet character despite increasing tourism pressure.
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Wilson River Highway
Highway 6 from Portland to Tillamook follows the Wilson River through dense Coast Range forests, providing access to numerous recreational opportunities along the way. This drive passes through logging country, which showcases the historical importance of timber harvesting and ongoing forest restoration efforts.
The route connects the Portland metropolitan area to the coast while providing access to fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities in the Tillamook State Forest
Salmon River Scenic Byway
Highway 18 west of Grand Ronde follows the Salmon River through Coast Range forests toward Lincoln City, offering a scenic alternative to the more direct coastal routes. This drive provides access to the Salmon River, where steelhead and salmon runs attract both wildlife and fishing enthusiasts.
The route demonstrates how Oregon’s coastal rivers support ecosystems that connect mountain forests to ocean environments.
Highway 101 Through Depoe Bay
The drive through Depoe Bay showcases one of Oregon’s smallest incorporated cities. The highway passes directly through downtown and provides views of the rocky coastline that makes this area famous for whale watching.
This section offers numerous pullouts where visitors can observe gray whales during migration seasons and explore tide pools during low tide. The drive demonstrates how Highway 101 serves as both a scenic route and the main street for many small coastal communities.
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Where Forest Meets the Sea
These scenic drives reveal the Oregon Coast as more than just ocean views, showcasing a region where ancient forests, powerful rivers, and dynamic coastlines create some of America’s most diverse and beautiful landscapes. The routes range from quick detours that add an hour to coastal trips to full-day adventures that explore the connections between mountains and ocean that define this remarkable region.
Each drive offers its perspective on the natural forces and human communities that have shaped the Oregon Coast, from the Columbia River to California. Whether seeking dramatic overlooks, intimate beach communities, or wilderness access, these scenic routes provide gateways to experiences that capture the essence of what makes Oregon’s coastline one of the world’s great driving destinations.
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