Driving WA/OR US 101

[HDRider]

Quick question, hoping for a quick answer.

 

Is driving south on 101 from Westport, WA (or parts thereabout) to Cape Lookout, OR (on the coast, west of Portland) a bad idea?  Is the road OK for pulling Ollie?

 

Anything I should know?

 

Thanks

[routlaw]

Haven't driven this road in quite a few years but when we last did it was a very slow go so if you decide to do this pack your patience with you. We were not towing at the time, just car camping with tents.  In most areas it tends to be a near bumper to bumper experience with many small towns communities along the way. Think stop and go traffic and driving. It is a very pretty drive if you have the time and patience. At the time we were there the campgrounds were very packed and very crowded along the way, almost claustrophobic at times, and no doubt much more so now by any measure. Since 101 is on the Pacific coast even in the summer months it can be considerably cooler than you might imagine, pack accordingly. 

There are a lot of nifty little towns along the way and depending upon what you are looking to do it could be a pleasant trip. Just don't be in a hurry. Good luck.

[Dennis and Melissa]

Stop Tilamook for some ice cream or cheese curds.  Yummy

[HDRider]

10 hours ago, Dennis and Melissa said:

Stop Tilamook for some ice cream or cheese curds.  Yummy

That is planned for today.  We got here about 3 yesterday and that placed was packed.

 

The drive was great.  Not too much traffic and some stunning views. 

 

We are staying at Cape Lookout.

[katanapilot]

5 hours ago, HDRider said:

We are staying at Cape Lookout.

We stayed there 20+ years ago in a rental RV.  It was beautiful (as was the entire Oregon coast).  Please provide a trip report on Cape Lookout, as we are planning to visit again next year in the Ollie. 

[Steph and Dud B]

20 years ago we took the 101 from Cape Disappointment State Park in WA to Petaluma, CA towing a 26' travel trailer without any problems. It was a beautiful drive back then.

Edited Tuesday at 02:47 AM by Steph and Dud B

[HDRider]

We have 6 hours of alone time on 101 this Thursday

 

[CRM]

14 minutes ago, HDRider said:

We have 6 hours of alone time on 101 this Thursday

 

Rode my bike for a long stretch of that road a few years back during the Trans America Bike Race. Beautiful views and fairly light traffic. 

[Patriot]

On 6/22/2025 at 11:18 PM, Dennis and Melissa said:

Stop Tilamook for some ice cream or cheese curds.  Yummy

The best ice cream I have ever enjoyed! 🤪😋

[tallmandan]

8 hours ago, HDRider said:

We have 6 hours of alone time on 101 this Thursday

Sure hope you plan lots of extra time for stops!  I used to live in Vancouver, WA and went to the Oregon coast many times with my family.

Here is a quick list that I put together for a freind a while back that I copied here in case it would be of value.  It's in South to North order so just reverse the list for your trip...

Some good stuff working your way North...

1. Depoe Bay.  Cool little town. Whales are frequently spotted here in the bay from shore.  

2. Cascade Head Trail.  I never did do this but understand it's great if you are up for a longer hike.

3. Neskowin is a nice little town and beach

4. Pacific City beach is great!  Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is just to the north of Pacifc City Beach and is outstanding.  Park your truck in the parkting lot of Pacific City Beach and hike up the giant sand dune to your right (North).  At the top of the dune you can then hike along the cliffs and the views are superb. It's a steep but short hike up the big sand slope with no "trail". Most folks don't realize how great the landscape and view are if you go up and hike around.  This is amazing at sunset!  Must do.

5. Cape Lookout Trail.  Excellent easy hike out to the point on high cliff.  Highly recommend!

6. Cape Mears Lighthouse.  Short walk to historic lighthouse. beautiful.

7.  Tillimook Cheese Factory.  This is a tourist trap but it is the original main cheese production of Tillimook cheeses and ice cream.  Worth putting up with the crowds to go in.  Can do a factory tour if you want.  Get ice cream cones.  Try the cheese curd - my favorite!

8.  Highway 101 from Manzanita to Cannon Beach is the most scenic stretch by far.  Great views from the cliffs above the ocean

9.  Oswald West State Park.  Park at the trailhead for Short Sand Beach.  Take the easy trail down under the highway and through a valley to a secluded stretch of sand and surf that is pinched between cliffs on each end.  Great beach and popular spot for surfers.

10.  Hug Point.  Cool beach.  Walk along the beach going North to a small waterfall and shallow caves in the cliff that are on the beach. 

11.  Cannon Beach.  This is a very popular and busy beach town.  The main street has lots of shops and restaurants.  Expensive, more high-end little town on the coast an easy drive from Portland. Great beach with the famous Haystack Rock. 

12.  Ecola State Park.  You can spend all day just exploring here.  Hikes and views and beaches.  Drive through the park out to Indian Beach Day Use Area.  Beautiful area.

 

[DaveAndBecky_NorthernMI]

We drove portions of the 101 in Oregon in April. Stunning area. We camped at Beverly Beach State Park. A nice campground with lots of shade. This campground has direct access to the beach and dogs are allowed to play off leash. Depoe Bay has a whale watching center. Fresh seafood in Newport and Yaquina Lighthouse is cool to see. There were some stretches that had erosion issues on the 101. We found they were well marked but you'll want to slow down considerably for these. Enjoy. Beautiful country.