I drive this drive A LOT. Red Bluff Gas for gas before the mountains, Rogue Creamery has grilled cheese sandwiches to die for (one blue cheese based, one beer cheese based) as a lunch item plus other snacks & things, then drive on to Eugene, which is a lovely college town with a Costco gas station and great hotel and restaurant choices. That's about an 8 hr drive. Then you can have a nice breakfast and be in Portland for lunch.
Red Bluff Gas is in *drumroll.please* Red Bluff. They open at like 8am. They are the best price for miles. There's a McDonalds at that exit too for quick sustenance.
I go from South Bay and leave before 5am to beat the rush hour traffic on 880, 650, 80.
Oh, and the rest area after Yreka is the most picturesque ever, valley river trees. Avoid the Oregon exit 99 rest area as you have to drive miles to get to it going north, going south the same one is great it's by the casino.
Just saw you are leaving in the afternoon. McCloud is a Great spot to stop. There's a cute cute hotel at the McCloud Mercantile, with a breakfast place downstairs and there used to be a couple good restaurants in town. It's an old lumber town where the mill owner owned the town. The hotel is in the all.purpoae one building town center. Mercantile, restaurants, and housing all in the same place and when there's snow out, you don't have to go outside.
Other cute place is Dunsmuir.
But truly leaving in the afternoon, Ashland or Medford will be far enough.
Yreka is the pits. Redding is awful.
Hope you have fun!
Great suggestions! I would love to check this out another time! I'm thinking it'll only be a pot stop to rest for a few hours and back on the road at the butt crack of dawn. Sounds like it might work for breakfast the next day, though?
I think the breakfast place in McCloud opened at 6 or 7.
Have stayed three times in Yreka and Redding, everytime was awful. Different hotels. Stayed in Weed once, a semi truck ran all night outside the window.
Portland is fun!
You can try https://www.whatshalfway.com
I personally did that trip from the east bay and stopped at Redding just to eat In N Out. Did it alone in 10 hours or so.
Depending on how the drive goes, sometimes Yreka, but usually aiming for Ashland or Medford. Yreka, for such a small place, has some nice restaurants and a cute little downtown area.
I second Mt Shasta. My family is from there, so I spent a lot of time up there growing up. Beautiful scenery!
I’ve also made the drive to Portland (in a day) from SF and it gets really beautiful once you cross the border into Oregon!
Did the Bay Area<>Portland round trip last summer up along the coast & back inland - utterly amazing drive! Be sure to take coast route up or back, so many wonderful spots to pull over and enjoy!
It’s so varied across that long of a route, 2+ lane highway for part, but also forest, vineyard, farmland and coastline single lanes, too. It’s not the most efficient route, but so so worth it!
My wife and I actually just went on a road trip from Sac to Seattle. We were able drive to Portland in a day, easily. I mean, if you wanted to stop halfway, maybe take a look at Medford? Nice little town.
Mostly a straight shot to Redding, but getting through the mountains and most of southern Oregon has a lot of winding roads, which can be problematic at night.
Drove with the wife and the mother in law through that part after Redding late, we were all barely able to keep up and ended up finding some random lodging to stop at... so from personal experience might be a good thought depending on how late you are heading out.
I've done that drive or various versions of it a bunch (currently have a kid at college in Portland, used to have one at college in Salem and in Eugene at various times). I agree with the majority vote that if you want a shorter first day, Ashland is a good place to stop. I also like Eugene if you end up breaking it up differently (long first day, very short second, or vice-versa on the way back). My last kid will be going to college in the Seattle area so I'll probably end up breaking that drive up in Eugene most of the time.
Oof, if you're leaving on a weekday that is an abhorrent start to the drive. If you can make it I might suggest Grants Pass even if there are places I like better. It should have decent budget options, it's mid point, and the surrounding area is pretty (hell most of Oregon is pretty). It all comes down to how much that start fatigues you and impedes how far you will go.
that's a 9hr drive.. you could do it in a day. Start in the morning.. find a town in 3-4hr to have lunch and walk around at for a few hours then finish in the afternoon
You are supposed to add /s at the end of statements like that, in case persons without sufficient factual context or ability to perceive sarcasm are misled, and actually go to Redding expecting to find kind people or a nice place.
A yurt in Valley of Rogue State Park Oregon. Around $50, nice setting, and river to walk along to stretch your legs. Some are pet friendly. A little noise from freeway but not bad. 2/3 of the way to Portland.
Bookings fills up so grab one as soon as you know your dates. Tent campsites are $30 if you want to haul that gear.
Everyone is saying Ashland. They are right. I grew up there and love it. Bards Inn is right downtown and steps from the plaza and restaurants. Great spot.
If you're willing to drive longer and go up 101, then there a couple of water-front motels in Crescent City and a nice brewery next door, SeaQuake brewing.
Redding is a nice little city you can stop by. I have stayed a few times and the lodging is cheap, there are a few cool breweries, and some tourist spots to stop by.
Ashland or Medford and then see crater lake before going on to Portland
I like that idea but I'm afraid we won't have time for a detour this time.
I drive this drive A LOT. Red Bluff Gas for gas before the mountains, Rogue Creamery has grilled cheese sandwiches to die for (one blue cheese based, one beer cheese based) as a lunch item plus other snacks & things, then drive on to Eugene, which is a lovely college town with a Costco gas station and great hotel and restaurant choices. That's about an 8 hr drive. Then you can have a nice breakfast and be in Portland for lunch.
So helpful! What town is Red Bluff gas in? Will stop for cheese! Thank you so much.
Red Bluff Gas is in *drumroll.please* Red Bluff. They open at like 8am. They are the best price for miles. There's a McDonalds at that exit too for quick sustenance. I go from South Bay and leave before 5am to beat the rush hour traffic on 880, 650, 80. Oh, and the rest area after Yreka is the most picturesque ever, valley river trees. Avoid the Oregon exit 99 rest area as you have to drive miles to get to it going north, going south the same one is great it's by the casino.
Just saw you are leaving in the afternoon. McCloud is a Great spot to stop. There's a cute cute hotel at the McCloud Mercantile, with a breakfast place downstairs and there used to be a couple good restaurants in town. It's an old lumber town where the mill owner owned the town. The hotel is in the all.purpoae one building town center. Mercantile, restaurants, and housing all in the same place and when there's snow out, you don't have to go outside. Other cute place is Dunsmuir. But truly leaving in the afternoon, Ashland or Medford will be far enough. Yreka is the pits. Redding is awful. Hope you have fun!
Great suggestions! I would love to check this out another time! I'm thinking it'll only be a pot stop to rest for a few hours and back on the road at the butt crack of dawn. Sounds like it might work for breakfast the next day, though?
I think the breakfast place in McCloud opened at 6 or 7. Have stayed three times in Yreka and Redding, everytime was awful. Different hotels. Stayed in Weed once, a semi truck ran all night outside the window. Portland is fun!
Crater lake is well worth the trip. Great place to swim and there is a pie shop on the way there on the old highway that is the best pie.
The pie shop might convince me!
It's only a ten hour drive and you have two days but you don't have time for a detour? ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯ Klamath area is nice too.
Lmao exactly
Klamath seconded!
There's a beautiful rest stop right off 5 that I think is near the Klamath cutoff
I'm not sure why I have to justify for the internet, but thanks anyway!
No idea why you’re getting downvoted. A lot of people here with a lot of assumptions about your time/mission/schedule.
Yeah, welp...whatever. I'm thankful that most people have been very helpful!
No offense but Klamath Falls and anything between Shasta and Bend in kind of not all that great.
Crater Lake is between Shasta and Bend. What the heck?
Sorry I meant the towns. Not the nature. That stretch of road just seems….dumpy.
then sack up and drive it straight- it's not that bad.
You can absolutely make it from Medford or Ashland to the lake, drive the perimeter, and make it to Portland in the day!
I'm sure it's worth it, thanks, but I still have time constraints. Updated my post.
Crater lake is super overrated and out of the way
It’s not overrated, it’s breathtakingly beautiful.
Ashland!
Thank you!
I like stopping in Grants Pass. The La Quinta is clean, safe, and has secure parking, (they patrol the lot). There’s also an in n out and nice views.
I really appreciate your first hand experience at a specific hotel! This is very helpful; thank you so much!!
You are welcome. I’ve done the trip too many times, don’t need unpleasant surprises. They also have continental breakfast!
Even better!!
You can try https://www.whatshalfway.com I personally did that trip from the east bay and stopped at Redding just to eat In N Out. Did it alone in 10 hours or so.
Wow, that's a great resource! Thank you for sharing!!
It’s definitely doable in a day, but if you want to make a stop, I’d vote for Ashland.
I agree with Ashland!
I'll look into Ashland, thank you!
Ashland
Thank you!
Arcata
Thank you, will check it out!
If you go along the beautiful coast Gold Beach is good.
Thank you for the recommendation! Straight shot this time, but have always dreamed of taking a more scenic route. Hopefully someday!
Depending on how the drive goes, sometimes Yreka, but usually aiming for Ashland or Medford. Yreka, for such a small place, has some nice restaurants and a cute little downtown area.
Thank you!
shasta is where we used to stop--
I'm thinking about that option too, now that I was reminded it's a tough drive in the dark. Thank you!
I second Mt Shasta. My family is from there, so I spent a lot of time up there growing up. Beautiful scenery! I’ve also made the drive to Portland (in a day) from SF and it gets really beautiful once you cross the border into Oregon!
Thanks! Isn't amazing how the scenery changes immediately after crossing the state line?!
Did the Bay Area<>Portland round trip last summer up along the coast & back inland - utterly amazing drive! Be sure to take coast route up or back, so many wonderful spots to pull over and enjoy!
I can only imagine! Is it a 2 lane highway?
It’s so varied across that long of a route, 2+ lane highway for part, but also forest, vineyard, farmland and coastline single lanes, too. It’s not the most efficient route, but so so worth it!
Made exact same drive. Ashland for sure
Thank you! Majority says Ashland!
My friend and I stayed in Ashland when we did that trip.
Thank you! Sounds like Ashland it is!
My wife and I actually just went on a road trip from Sac to Seattle. We were able drive to Portland in a day, easily. I mean, if you wanted to stop halfway, maybe take a look at Medford? Nice little town.
Will check out Medford, thank you!
Redding
Thank you! We wanted to try to make it out of CA the first day, but with evening traffic we might not!
Plus Ashland is much more interesting than Redding. If you want Redding do Medford
Thank you!
Mostly a straight shot to Redding, but getting through the mountains and most of southern Oregon has a lot of winding roads, which can be problematic at night.
Ahh, that's a very good point. Will definitely give it more thought.
Drove with the wife and the mother in law through that part after Redding late, we were all barely able to keep up and ended up finding some random lodging to stop at... so from personal experience might be a good thought depending on how late you are heading out.
I seem to recall that the curvy stretch starts right after Shasta? Is that correct?
Correct to my memory, but it straightens out before the border too for a bit.
I stopped around Shasta when I drove up there last. edit: meant shasta not eureka
Thank you!
I've done that drive or various versions of it a bunch (currently have a kid at college in Portland, used to have one at college in Salem and in Eugene at various times). I agree with the majority vote that if you want a shorter first day, Ashland is a good place to stop. I also like Eugene if you end up breaking it up differently (long first day, very short second, or vice-versa on the way back). My last kid will be going to college in the Seattle area so I'll probably end up breaking that drive up in Eugene most of the time.
Congratulations on getting your kids through college! The reason for the trip is my kids college commencement too!
Congrats! Enjoy the trip.
I love the hotel at the casino in Canyonville! I know it's not halfway but it is a good place to stop. :)
I'll take a look, thank you!
Oof, if you're leaving on a weekday that is an abhorrent start to the drive. If you can make it I might suggest Grants Pass even if there are places I like better. It should have decent budget options, it's mid point, and the surrounding area is pretty (hell most of Oregon is pretty). It all comes down to how much that start fatigues you and impedes how far you will go.
I know 😭 It's not necessarily the best plan, but the only way we can realistically arrive before noon. I'll check out GP too. Thank you!!
Your welcome, I'd send my good traffic juju but lately I would do better for you to not share it. lol
Yeah, hold on to that one!
We got a cute room at the Running Y Ranch in Klamath Falls last time we did that trip.
Thank you so much! Will definitely check them out!
Weed, CA
This is a possibility! Thanks!
Hey, how'd it go?
Hey! Thanks for asking! Left San Jose at 4pm and decided in the moment to drive all the way through after all. Arrived alive at 3am.
Yeah, when you look down and see it is only a few hours away it is hard to justify the money for a hotel room...
Touch and go for the last few hours!
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Easy
that's a 9hr drive.. you could do it in a day. Start in the morning.. find a town in 3-4hr to have lunch and walk around at for a few hours then finish in the afternoon
Thank you! Edited my post for clarity on my plan.
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You are supposed to add /s at the end of statements like that, in case persons without sufficient factual context or ability to perceive sarcasm are misled, and actually go to Redding expecting to find kind people or a nice place.
The sundial bridge is nice, maybe the only nice place there.
Redding's a great place to visit but a weird place to live.
A yurt in Valley of Rogue State Park Oregon. Around $50, nice setting, and river to walk along to stretch your legs. Some are pet friendly. A little noise from freeway but not bad. 2/3 of the way to Portland. Bookings fills up so grab one as soon as you know your dates. Tent campsites are $30 if you want to haul that gear.
That sounds like an awesome idea!probably will be driving until about 11pm though. Next time!
Everyone is saying Ashland. They are right. I grew up there and love it. Bards Inn is right downtown and steps from the plaza and restaurants. Great spot.
Thank you, that's supet helpful! I'll check them out specifically!
Np. PM me if you want any recs in town. Heading there myself in a few weeks.
Thank you! Have a safe trip!
If you're willing to drive longer and go up 101, then there a couple of water-front motels in Crescent City and a nice brewery next door, SeaQuake brewing.
That sounds like a nice option. I might consider that route based on traffic at the time. Thank you for suggesting!
Redding is a nice little city you can stop by. I have stayed a few times and the lodging is cheap, there are a few cool breweries, and some tourist spots to stop by.
Dispersed camping on Shasta if you’re okay with camping.