Staff Pick

Road Trip Oregon Coast – Highway 101, Astoria to Brookings

Astoria Brookings
580
km
9h
drive
All seasons
season

The Itinerary

Oregon is the only U.S. state where the entire coastline (586 km) is officially public, with no private property blocking sea access. Highway 101 runs the whole coast from Astoria at the Columbia River mouth to Brookings at the California border.

From Cannon Beach's monoliths (Haystack Rock) to the Sea Lion Caves near Florence (America's largest sea cave), via Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (60 km of coastal dunes up to 150 m tall), every stop offers a different scene. Cape Perpetua, Devils Punchbowl, Thor's Well: the Oregon Coast is a string of unique geological attractions.

Yaquina Head and Heceta Head lighthouses are the most photographed. Cannon Beach, Newport and Bandon are the most charming coastal villages. The climate stays cool year-round (15-18°C in summer), making driving comfortable even in peak season.

Points of Interest

  • ✦
    Haystack Rock (Cannon Beach)
    72 m sea stack, the icon of the Oregon Coast.
  • ✦
    Oregon Dunes
    60 km of coastal dunes up to 150 m tall, sandboarding.
  • ✦
    Heceta Head Lighthouse
    Most photographed lighthouse in the United States.
  • ✦
    Thor's Well & Cape Perpetua
    Sea-hole that "swallows" the ocean, 244 m headland view.
  • ✦
    Sea Lion Caves
    America's largest sea cave, year-round sea lion colony.
Practical info
  • Departure Astoria
  • Destination Brookings
  • Distance 580 km
  • Duration 9h
  • Category Very long (500+ km)
  • Best season All seasons
Themes
coast Ocean Lighthouse dunes photo road-trip oregon sea-stack

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