Embark on a 248.8-mile journey from Athena, Oregon to Hillsboro, Oregon, a drive that will take approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes. This route is best tackled as a single-day trip, offering a straightforward path through the Pacific Coast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, it's an economical option for a day excursion. The drive primarily utilizes the Oregon-Washington Highway and New Oregon-Washington Highway, making it a familiar local road experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
122.9 miles from Athena, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.3 mi
2h 56m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
43 mi
46m
New Oregon-Washington Highway
12.3 mi
17m
Banfield Freeway
6.8 mi
9m
Northeast Cornell Road
5.8 mi
12m
US 26
5 mi
7m
Oregon-Washington Highway
4.8 mi
6m
Northwest Sunset Highway
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,630 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,160
Quietest
2 AM
~159 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athena, OR and Hillsboro, OR.
1
Start on 3rd Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·3rd Street
2
Turn right onto OR 11
4.1 mi·5 min·Oregon-Washington Highway
3
Continue on OR 11
12 mi·17 min·New Oregon-Washington Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork onto OR 11
226 ft·3 sec·New Oregon-Washington Highway
5
Continue on US 30; OR 11
0.7 mi·1 min·Southeast Court Avenue
6
Turn left onto OR 11
0.8 mi·1 min·Oregon-Washington Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
8
Merge onto I 84
43 mi·46 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
9
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 56 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on I 84; US 30
6.8 mi·9 min·Banfield Freeway
Toward PortlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
12
Keep slight left at fork
261 ft·4 sec
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 5
1.1 mi·1 min·I 5
14
Take the exit onto Stadium Freeway
0.3 mi·30 sec·Stadium Freeway
Toward I 405, US 26: Beaverton
15
Merge onto I 405
0.7 mi·59 sec·Stadium Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 26
5.0 mi·7 min·US 26
Exit 1DToward US 26 West: BeavertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 26
3.1 mi·4 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 65Toward Cornell Road, Bethany BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
202 ft·9 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Turn left onto Northwest Cornell Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Northwest Cornell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
5.1 mi·10 min·Northeast Cornell Road
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast Cornell Road
23
Turn slight right
229 ft·10 sec
24
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
79 ft·2 sec·North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Arrive at destination
North 1st Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, starting your drive from Athena in the morning allows ample time to reach Hillsboro without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and no long stretches of highway, flexibility is key; choose a spot that appeals to you when you feel the need to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition onto local roads, and aim to depart with a full tank from Athena. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the Oregon-Washington Highway and New Oregon-Washington Highway sections beforehand, as they will be your main corridors for most of the journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 122.9 miles from Athena, OR, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.9 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsboro, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Athena, OR so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Athena, OR
This is one driving day of about 245.8 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Athena, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Columbia River Highway for about 158.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 226.7 and 237.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
226.7 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
8
227.1 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Beaverton, Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, Salem
7
229.2 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 26
Take the exit onto US 26 toward US 26 West: Beaverton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward US 26 West: Beaverton
8
237.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward Cornell Road, Bethany Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 65
Toward Cornell Road, Bethany Boulevard
7
237.5 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.56 one way
$87.11 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$46.64
$93.29
premium
$5.04
$48.79
$97.58
diesel
$4.80
$46.41
$92.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.81
$11.80
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.51
$9.83
EV Truck/SUV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Athena, OR
Late night
in Athena on Sunday
Local time
12:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 5:11AM PDT until July 18 at 10:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Hillsboro, OR
Late night
in Hillsboro on Sunday
Local time
12:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 5:11AM PDT until July 18 at 10:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 53m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll be navigating through communities and on roads that require your attention. With zero highway share, expect a consistent pace that reflects local traffic patterns rather than high-speed travel. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the continuous nature of local roads suggests frequent intersections and changes in speed. The Oregon-Washington Highway and New Oregon-Washington Highway will be your primary companions, offering a grounded perspective on the landscape as you make your way westward.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.3 mi on Columbia River Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 226.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 245.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 226.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.2 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,723 ft7 ft
Total Climb
342 ft
Total Descent
1,870 ft
Highest Point
1,723 ft
Elevation Range
1,717 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Athena, OR and Hillsboro, OR, road signs point toward Portland, Omsi, City Center and Salem.
Portland
220 mi in|~4h 10m|via I 84; US 30
Omsi
226.7 mi in|~4h 19m
City Center
226.7 mi in|~4h 19m
Salem
227.1 mi in|~4h 19m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Hillsboro is a city in the Portland Metropolitan Area in Oregon. It contains several districts such as hip and trendy Orenco in all of its high-density glory, along with more rural South Hillsboro, although the mayor's building program is building up this area into subdivisions as of 2022. Central Hillsboro and the downtown area contains buildings dated back to the 1950s, and a few earlier examples still exist. Northern Hillsboro around the airport is mostly industrial with no tourist attractions other than the hotels.
Top landmarks
•Washington County Jail — formerly listed on the NRHP in Oregon, was located in Hillsboro, has been moved,...
•Charles Shorey House — historic house in Hillsboro, Oregon, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 245.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.3 miles on Columbia River Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hillsboro, OR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 226.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.2 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Hillsboro, OR, but most travelers stay overnight.
