Pacific Coast Scenic Byway-Oregon

Mbh818 · 07-30-2013, 01:24 AM

Has anybody travelled the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in Oregon? Is it safe travels for our Berk's? We are headed south from Seattle and are thinking of leaving I-5 in Oregon and jumping on the Byway (rt 101) in Astoria. From there we would drive the coast, thru Cannon Beach and back over to I-5 at some point. Just wondering about low overpasses or weight restrictions.

Thanks for any help/thoughts.

Mike

jamesroadking · 07-30-2013, 02:19 AM

I drove it it south in 2007 in a 40ft Monaco diesel motor coach. We were not towing a vehicle behind us so it wasn't that difficult to back up in the tight areas and parking lots. I had a rear and side cameras. We were visiting every Light House on the coast as we went along. There was one turning blind low tunnel that required me to drive in the center hoping that no one was coming from the other direction.

Mbh818 · 07-31-2013, 12:31 AM

Thank you!

NO3putt · 07-31-2013, 12:56 AM

Currently north of Seattle now and will be heading south in two weeks and planning on the coast highway also. Thanks for the information. Where was the tunnel?

jamesroadking · 07-31-2013, 04:50 AM

That was 6 years ago, you'll have no problem on the coast hwy 101. Where it got a little tight was on the scenic little roads that hug the cliffs, roads down and out to the beach parks, and the little roads that run out to the Light Houses with their limited parking and turn around areas. We were on a low budget at the time and I was looking for all the ten dollar a night state park campgrounds.

BamaCorner · 07-31-2013, 07:52 AM

a crv. No problems but you will need to drive slow and let the passengers do the looking in spots. You will be able to pull over in some places.

brettmargo · 07-31-2013, 09:20 AM

We did if a few years back with no problems. It's slow going...but we started in Astoria and ended up in the Redwoods. Stopped at all the lighthouses and made a point not to drive more than 2 hours a day. Had a BLAST.

I'm pretty sure there are no height restrictions on 101...we did fine.

marialee · 08-01-2013, 10:44 PM

You will have no problem. We have driven that many times, it is a beautiful drive. Lots of cute little towns and places to stop. Sea Lion Caves, Lighthouses, Canon Beach etc..Have fun!!

boowho · 08-30-2013, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbh818

Has anybody travelled the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in Oregon? Is it safe travels for our Berk's? We are headed south from Seattle and are thinking of leaving I-5 in Oregon and jumping on the Byway (rt 101) in Astoria. From there we would drive the coast, thru Cannon Beach and back over to I-5 at some point. Just wondering about low overpasses or weight restrictions.

Thanks for any help/thoughts.

Mike

Mike, did you make this trip? If so where did you get on and then off? I figure to get on at Astoria and then get off not-sure-where. The truckers atlas only shows a small section that is NOT a "preferred" (suitable for semi's) truck highway (all the way down to Southern OR).

Boowho??

NO3putt · 08-30-2013, 09:34 PM

We are part way down it now. In Tillamook and will be heading further south next week. Haven't had a problem yet.

Mbh818 · 08-30-2013, 10:11 PM

Boo-

We decided not to make the trip down the coast and instead stayed on I-5. It became more of a time and fatigue decision with my driving than a decision based on the road condition. The coastal highway would have been slower and we had already put in many long days. From he many campers i spoke with on our trip, many had done the highway with no problems and spoke of the beauty, but they all said it's slow going. We just didn't have the time with our schedule. If going through Oregon, i would highly recommend 7 Feathers RV park in Canyonville. Beautiful paved sites, paved roads, plenty of space, indoor pool. All for just $40/night. And they give you 10% off if you get a players card at the casino. We really enjoyed it there.

Safe travels. Sorry I wasn't of much help.

cpaulsen · 08-31-2013, 04:52 AM

You missed a good trip down the coast. Maybe another time you could go for it.

brettmargo · 08-31-2013, 07:12 PM

When we took the trip we made a point not to drive more than 2 hours a day...we took our time. Didn't have a reservation for the entire trip except for our time in the Redwoods...and yet we stayed in State Parks each night, except for the one laundry stop at a KOA. It took us the better part of 10 days, but SO well worth it. As a native Oregonian, I appreciate our entire coast line so much more after that expedition!!

boowho · 09-01-2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettmargo

When we took the trip we made a point not to drive more than 2 hours a day...we took our time. Didn't have a reservation for the entire trip except for our time in the Redwoods...and yet we stayed in State Parks each night, except for the one laundry stop at a KOA. It took us the better part of 10 days, but SO well worth it. As a native Oregonian, I appreciate our entire coast line so much more after that expedition!!

Where did you start and end your trip on that road? Even though I have nothing but time, I don't want to spend 10 days on that portion of my trip.

Boowho??

brettmargo · 09-01-2013, 11:07 AM

We started in Astoria and drove 101. You could certainly go faster, but with two kids we stopped every hour to go on a hike or sight see... Or grab a snack. We drove 101 all the way into California and into the Redwoods.

KootenayWC · 09-01-2013, 02:24 PM

DW and I are planning a 2 week holiday, starting Sept 15 that will include 101. We will be starting from our home in SE British Columbia. We live due north of Spokane, and are planning to reach Astoria via Spokane, Yakima, then hwy 12 over the Cascades to I5 north of Longview. We are planning to stay in mostly state parks. I'm thinking to go as far south as Crescent City CA and then cross over to Grants Pass, then NE going by Crater Lake and generally following Hwy 97 back. Is this do-able in 2 weeks? And do we need reservations?

**bikendan** · 09-01-2013, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KootenayWC

DW and I are planning a 2 week holiday, starting Sept 15 that will include 101. We will be starting from our home in SE British Columbia. We live due north of Spokane, and are planning to reach Astoria via Spokane, Yakima, then hwy 12 over the Cascades to I5 north of Longview. We are planning to stay in mostly state parks. I'm thinking to go as far south as Crescent City CA and then cross over to Grants Pass, then NE going by Crater Lake and generally following Hwy 97 back. Is this do-able in 2 weeks? And do we need reservations?

not unless you don't stop anywhere except to sleep.
101 in Oregon is very time consuming. doing it the length, from Astoria to CC, will easily take a week, if you didn't stop much along the way. we did it in 4 days with a popup and all we did was drive, with only a few stops along the way. didn't get to really enjoy the trip.

i think you'd really be pushing and not have much time to relax and enjoy the trip.

KootenayWC · 09-01-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

not unless you don't stop anywhere except to sleep.
101 in Oregon is very time consuming. doing it the length, from Astoria to CC, will easily take a week, if you didn't stop much along the way. we did it in 4 days with a popup and all we did was drive, with only a few stops along the way. didn't get to really enjoy the trip.

i think you'd really be pushing and not have much time to relax and enjoy the trip.

Thanks for the reply, Bikendan. I might have to scale back the plans a little.

boowho · 09-01-2013, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettmargo

We started in Astoria and drove 101. You could certainly go faster, but with two kids we stopped every hour to go on a hike or sight see... Or grab a snack. We drove 101 all the way into California and into the Redwoods.

Thanks to all that have taken this route and shared info. I'll be leaving Chimacum, WA (just across from Whidby Island) in the morning and head to Astoria. I'll go until the DW or I get tired of it, and then jump over to the Five. My next real destination is Sutherlin, OR where I'll stay a week or two.

Boowho??

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