5-Day Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary (Best Stops, Where to Stay & What to See)

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If you want to see the best of the Oregon Coast, a 5-day Oregon Coast road trip itinerary is the perfect way to do it. The drive covers about 340 miles along Highway 101 from Astoria to Brookings, and every mile has something worth stopping for: beaches, lighthouses, sea stacks, and small towns.

This itinerary breaks the drive into five easy days, so you’ll have time to enjoy the coast instead of rushing from place to place. You’ll find tips on where to stay each night, how long to spend at each stop, and local spots for food or coffee along the way.

You can do this trip north to south or south to north, but most travelers start in Astoria and head south; that way, the ocean views are always on your right, and the pullouts are easier to access.

Most travelers drive the Oregon Coast from north to south, starting in Astoria and finishing in Brookings. This direction keeps the ocean views and pullouts on your right, making the drive smoother and the scenery even better. This blog post follows that route, but you can easily do it in reverse.

If you’re flying in, the best option is Portland International Airport (PDX). It’s about a 2-hour drive to Astoria, where most people begin their trip. You’ll find all major rental car companies at the airport.

If you prefer to start your road trip in the south, the closest major airport is Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport (MFR). It’s roughly a 2½-hour drive from Brookings, so you’ll need to rent a car and head west to reach the coast.

Give yourself five full days for the trip. The total drive from Astoria to Brookings is about 340 miles, but with all the stops, viewpoints, and small towns to explore, it’s best enjoyed at an easy pace.

You can drive the Oregon Coast any time of the year, but May through early October is the most reliable window for dry weather and clear views. During these months, daytime temperatures stay between 60°F and 75°F, and rain is less frequent. It is the best time for hiking, tide-pooling, and driving.

Summer (June–August): Expect the warmest weather. Book hotels and campgrounds early, especially around Cannon Beach, Newport, and Bandon. Morning fog is common but usually clears by midday.

Spring (April–May) brings wildflowers, migrating gray whales, and cooler temperatures around 50–65°F. It’s a good time to visit before crowds arrive.

Fall (September–October) has mild weather and fewer people on the beaches. Restaurants and attractions remain open.

Winter (November–March) is rainy and windy. Expect daytime highs around 45–55°F, shorter days, and occasional road closures after heavy storms.

PRO TIP: No matter when you go, make sure to pack layers, waterproof shoes, and a rain jacket.

Begin your day at the Astoria Riverwalk Pier. You’ll see working fishing boats, barking sea lions, and ships moving along the Columbia River.

For breakfast, stop at Blue Scorcher Bakery & Café (known for its house-baked bread and hearty scrambles) or Coffee Girl, tucked inside an old cannery right over the water. By the way, the view of the bridge is unbeatable. Order the house latte or a pastry and watch the ships drift by.

Megler Bridge in Astoria / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Next, make your way to the Astoria Column, which you can drive to; the hill is steep but paved. There’s a $5 parking fee, valid for the whole year. Climb the 164-step spiral staircase to the top for panoramic views of Astoria, Youngs Bay, and the Columbia River meeting the Pacific Ocean. On clear days, you can even see Washington State across the river.

View from Astoria Column / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

GOOD TO KNOW: Pick up one of the small wooden gliders sold at the base of the column. People have been launching them from the top for decades. It’s a fun, local tradition.

Drive south on Highway 101 for about 40 minutes (25 miles) to reach Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach. The park sits high on a forested bluff overlooking the ocean, with some of the most photographed views in Oregon.

The Ecola Point Trail (1.5 miles round trip) is short and easy, with benches along the way. You’ll get sweeping views of Crescent Beach, Haystack Rock, and the rugged Tillamook Head.

View from Ecola State Park / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

GOOD TO KNOW: There’s a $5 day-use fee, payable at the entrance kiosk or with an Oregon State Parks Pass.

PRO TIP: The road into Ecola State Park is narrow and often closes after heavy rain. Check conditions on the Oregon State Parks website before driving in.

From Ecola, it’s a quick 10-minute drive to Cannon Beach.

PRO TIP: Park near the beach access at Gower Street (Midtown lot) or along 2nd Street if spots are open.

Start with a long walk along the sand toward Haystack Rock, the 235-foot sea stack that defines the town. At low tide, explore tide pools filled with sea stars, crabs, and anemones. From April to August, look for tufted puffins nesting on the upper ledges.

PRO TIP: Check tide times before going – it’s safest and most interesting at low tide.

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

After the beach, stroll through downtown Cannon Beach. Stop at Bruce’s Candy Kitchen for handmade saltwater taffy, browse the local galleries, or grab coffee from Sleepy Monk (the Irish Cream latte is the best!).

For dinner, head to The Wayfarer Restaurant, right on the beach with sunset views of Haystack Rock, or Ecola Seafoods Market & Restaurant for casual local fish and chips.

After dinner, walk back to the beach for one last look – sunsets here light up the sky in orange and pink, especially in summer.

Haystack Rock at Sunset / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Where to Stay:

• Hallmark Resort & Spa – Oceanfront rooms with private balconies, fireplaces, and direct beach access. Spa services are available on-site.

• Surfsand Resort – Family-friendly, with firepits on the sand and free s’mores kits in the evening.

• The Waves Cannon Beach – Smaller property in the heart of downtown, steps from shops and restaurants.

Start the morning with a relaxed walk on the beach before the crowds arrive. Then grab breakfast at Sea Level Bakery + Coffee (try the breakfast sandwich and a cappuccino) or Lazy Susan Café downtown for hearty omelets.

Leave Cannon Beach around mid-morning and follow Highway 101 south. The route passes small coastal communities and forested curves before opening up to ocean views near Manzanita. It’s a good, quick stop if you want coffee or to stretch your legs.

Ocean Views near Manzanita / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Continue for about 1 hour and 45 minutes south to Pacific City, home of Cape Kiwanda, the first of the Three Capes Scenic Route.
Park near Pelican Brewing (there’s a $10 lot fee) and climb the sand dune beside the beach. It’s steep but short (about 10 minutes up), and from the top you’ll see the orange sandstone cliffs and the second Haystack Rock rising offshore.

Cape Kiwanda / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Cape Kiwanda / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Afterward, have lunch at Pelican Brewing Company, right on the beach (try their fish tacos and a Kiwanda Cream Ale). You can also walk along the sand to watch dory boats launching straight through the surf, a local fishing tradition you won’t see anywhere else.

GOOD TO KNOW: Driving is allowed on Pacific City Beach, but only for 4WD vehicles. If you’re parking on sand, watch the tides; cars do get stuck.

Drive another 45 minutes south to Lincoln City for a short stop. If the tide is low, check out Road’s End State Recreation Site for sea caves and wide sandy stretches.

GOOD TO KNOW: Lincoln City is also known for its glass floats. Local artists hide them along the beach year-round as part of the “Finders Keepers” program. If you find one, it’s yours to keep!

From there, it’s just 25 minutes to Depoe Bay, your destination for the night. This small town is known as the Whale-Watching Capital of Oregon, and you can often see gray whales right from the seawall downtown.

Make sure to walk along the promenade to watch the spouting horns, natural openings in the rocks that send seawater shooting high into the air at high tide.

Spouting Horns in Depoe Bay / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

PRO TIP: The best chance to spot whales is between March and May or August and October.

Have dinner at Tidal Raves Seafood Grill, which sits on a cliff overlooking the bay (reservations recommended). For something casual, Gracie’s Sea Hag is a classic Oregon Coast stop.

Where to Stay:

Inn at Arch Rock – It is perched on a bluff above the Pacific. It offers 19 cozy units, 18 with full ocean views. Rooms include fireplaces, kitchenettes, and a generous breakfast spread.

SCP Depoe Bay Hotel – This is a small, eco-friendly hotel that overlooks Depoe Bay’s working harbor and blends modern design with relaxed coastal style. With just 13 rooms, it feels peaceful and personal.

After breakfast in town (grab something light at Pirate Coffee Company or Bay View Thai Kitchen), start the drive south on Highway 101. The stretch between Depoe Bay and Newport is only 13 miles (about 20 minutes), but it’s packed with ocean views and quick roadside pull-outs.

Your first major stop is Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, just north of Newport. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest in Oregon and one of the most photogenic. Walk down to Cobble Beach at low tide to explore tide pools filled with sea stars and anemones.

GOOD TO KNOW: There’s a $7 day-use fee (credit or debit only).

Yaquina Head Lighthouse / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Continue into Newport for a stop at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, about 10 minutes from Yaquina Head. Allow 1–1.5 hours to see exhibits with sea otters, puffins, and the glass tunnel surrounded by sharks.

For lunch, Local Ocean Seafoods on the historic bayfront is a can’t-miss spot! Try the crab cakes or tuna melt. If you have extra time, stroll the docks behind the restaurant; sea lions usually nap on the floating platforms nearby.

Newport / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Newport / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

From Newport, drive about 40 minutes (26 miles) south on Highway 101 to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, just beyond the town of Yachats. This stretch of coastline is one of Oregon’s most dramatic, with forested cliffs and crashing waves below.

Take time to walk the Captain Cook Trail (0.6-mile loop), an easy paved path that links several must-see spots — Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, and Devil’s Churn. Each one shows off the raw power of the Pacific, especially during high tide when the surf is strongest.

Before leaving, drive up to the Cape Perpetua Lookout, the highest accessible viewpoint on the Oregon Coast, for sweeping panoramas that stretch nearly 40 miles in both directions.

Cape Perpetua / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

The drive from Cape Perpetua to Florence takes about 40 minutes (25 miles). Make sure to stop at the Heceta Head Lighthouse Viewpoint for photos. It’s one of Oregon’s most iconic scenes.

Where to Stay:

Super 8 by Wyndham Florence OR (formerly Old Town Inn) – Centrally located right off Highway 101 and just minutes from Old Town Florence. Clean, comfortable rooms at a good price point, plus free breakfast and parking.

Driftwood Shores Resort – The only true oceanfront hotel in Florence, offering direct beach access, an indoor pool, and family-friendly suites with kitchenettes.

Start your morning exploring the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, one of the most unique landscapes on the Oregon Coast. The dunes stretch for more than 40 miles, with windswept sand hills rising up to 500 feet high, which are the tallest in North America.

PRO TIP: Rent a sandboard in Florence and try sliding down the smaller dunes near the parking area within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

GOOD TO KNOW: Most dune access points require a $5 day-use pass or Northwest Forest Pass.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

If you’re up for a bit more adventure, drive 10 minutes farther to the South Jetty OHV Staging Area, where you can rent an ATV or join a guided dune buggy tour with local outfitters such as Sand Dunes Frontier or Torex ATV Rentals. Tours range from 30 minutes to 2 hours and take you deep into parts of the dunes you can’t reach on foot.

After exploring the dunes, head back toward Florence and stop at Heceta Beach, a peaceful, wide stretch of sand that’s perfect for a walk or quick picnic before getting back on the road.

Heceta Beach / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Continue your drive south on Highway 101 toward Reedsport, about 30 minutes (22 miles) from Florence. On your way, make a quick stop at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, just east of Reedsport on Highway 38. It’s one of the best and most reliable places in Oregon to see wild Roosevelt elk. They’re often grazing right in the open fields near the viewing platforms.

From Reedsport, the drive to Bandon takes about an hour. Before heading into town, pull off at the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint. It is a must-see stop along this stretch of coast.

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

From the upper viewing area, you’ll see dramatic sea stacks rising from the surf, including Face Rock, Cat and Kittens Rocks, and Elephant Rock. If the tide is low, take the stairs down to the beach for an up-close look and a quiet walk among the formations.

PRO TIP: Sunset is spectacular here, especially when the tide is out and the wet sand reflects the sky. Plan to return in the evening if you’re staying in Bandon overnight.

Once you arrive in Bandon, park near Old Town Bandon. It’s a small, walkable area along the Coquille River filled with shops, galleries, and cafés. Stop by the Washed Ashore Gallery, where every piece is made from ocean debris collected from nearby beaches.

If you have extra time, drive five minutes north to Bullards Beach State Park and visit the Coquille River Lighthouse. It’s a great place for photos, especially at low tide when you can walk out onto the sand for a wide view of the river mouth and dunes.

Coquille River Lighthouse / Oregon Road Trip Itinerary 

After a full afternoon exploring Old Town and the beach, wind down with dinner at Edgewaters Restaurant, perched above the Coquille River. It’s one of the best spots in town for a nice evening meal; fresh seafood, steak, and a full bar, with large windows overlooking the water. For something more casual, The Wheelhouse serves excellent clam chowder and fish and chips right on the boardwalk.

Where to Stay:

Bandon Inn – Overlooks Old Town and the marina, with modern, comfortable rooms and easy walking access to shops and restaurants. Most rooms have water views.

Table Rock Motel – A charming, locally owned option just a few minutes from Face Rock Viewpoint. Rooms vary in style, and some have kitchenettes or ocean views.

PRO TIP: If you’re visiting in summer, book your stay in advance — Bandon is small, and the best ocean-view rooms often sell out weeks ahead.

Start your morning with a walk on Bandon Beach, easily accessed from Old Town via the parking areas on Lincoln Avenue or 8th Street SW. It’s a wide, open stretch of sand and perfect for a morning stroll before getting back on the road.

Bandon Beach / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Bandon Beach / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary

After your walk, drive the short Beach Loop Drive, which begins near the west end of 4th Street SW and curves along the bluff above the coast. The route connects several easy pullouts and beach access points, including Coquille Point, Devils Kitchen, and Face Rock Viewpoint. Each stop has parking, restrooms, and quick paths to the sand.

GOOD TO KNOW: All beach access points are free and dog-friendly, but parking is limited on summer weekends.

After leaving Bandon, head south on Highway 101 for about 30 minutes (28 miles) to the town of Port Orford, the oldest settlement on the Oregon Coast.

Your first stop (right at the north entrance to Port Orford) is Battle Rock Wayside Park. It’s easy to spot from the highway and has a large parking area, restrooms, and picnic tables overlooking the water. A short paved trail leads down to the beach, where you can stretch your legs and read the interpretive signs about the early settlers and the battle that gave the rock its name.

Battle Rock Wayside Park / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

Afterward, continue for a few minutes into town. If you want to take in another quick viewpoint, head to Port Orford Heads State Park. The one-mile Headlands Trail loops along old Coast Guard lookout sites and offers clear views of Humbug Mountain and the coastline to the south.

For lunch, I swear by The Crazy Norwegian’s Fish & Chips for seafood baskets or Griff’s on the Dock, where you can watch the harbor’s cranes lift fishing boats in and out of the water.

PRO TIP: This is the best place to fill your gas tank before continuing south. There are no gas stations between Port Orford and Brookings, and services are limited along the highway.

From Port Orford, continue south toward Brookings. This stretch takes about 1 hour 15 minutes (55 miles), but plan for extra time because the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor begins about 15 miles north of Brookings and includes several of the most beautiful stops on the Oregon Coast.

Start at Arch Rock Viewpoint, the northern entrance to the corridor, where a short paved path leads to a viewing platform overlooking offshore sea stacks. Continue to Natural Bridges Viewpoint, just a few minutes down the highway. A five-minute walk brings you to one of the corridor’s most photographed sights, a series of ocean-carved arches below the cliffs.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

If you have time for a short walk, stop at Secret Beach, also within the corridor. The trail is about 0.8 miles round trip, steep in places but worth it. Go at low tide for easier access and a wider beach.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor / Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary 

GOOD TO KNOW: The Samuel H. Boardman corridor runs roughly 12 miles along Highway 101, with about a dozen signed turnouts. Parking is limited at most stops.

End your Oregon Coast road trip in Brookings, just a few miles north of the California border.

Stop at Harris Beach State Park, located right off Highway 101 on the north end of town. It’s an easy place to visit. There’s a large paved parking lot and a short trail leading down to the beach. The wide sandy shoreline and offshore sea stacks make it one of the best places on the coast to watch the sunset.

Harris Beach / Oregon Coast Road Trip itinerary 

GOOD TO KNOW: If you’d like a short evening walk, follow the paved Sunset Point Trail inside the park for a quick loop with clear views of Bird Island, which is home to nesting seabirds and often a few sea lions offshore.

For dinner, Oxenfre Public House serves fresh local seafood and craft cocktails, while Superfly Distilling Co. offers a casual menu with outdoor seating and locally made spirits.

Where to Stay:

Beachfront Inn – Modern hotel right on the beach with balconies overlooking the Pacific and easy access to Harris Beach. Breakfast included.

Brookings Inn Resort – Budget-friendly stay along Highway 101 with free parking and a short drive to restaurants and the beach.

PRO TIP: If you have an extra morning before heading home, walk the short trail to Chetco Point Park for one last coastal view. It’s quiet, easy to reach, and a great way to end your trip.