Clatskanie, OR to Springfield, OR is 172 miles and takes about 3h 34m via I 5 and Lower Columbia River Highway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Oregon, moving from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the same region. Expect a largely highway-focused journey with a significant portion on I 5. It's a straightforward trip, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points. Given the relatively short duration, it's easily manageable as a single-day adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86 miles from Clatskanie, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
151 mi
2h 59m
Lower Columbia River Highway
11.3 mi
16m
Tennant Way
3.1 mi
4m
Oregon Way
2.6 mi
5m
Pioneer Parkway West
1 mi
2m
Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway
0.9 mi
1m
Southeast 3rd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
South Nehalem Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 151 mi, about 2h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clatskanie, OR and Springfield, OR.
1
Start on South Nehalem Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Nehalem Street
2
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Southeast 3rd Street
3
Continue on Southeast True Haak Street
516 ft·16 sec·Southeast True Haak Street
4
Turn right onto US 30
11 mi·16 min·Lower Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward WA 433 North: Longview, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
6
Continue on WA 433
2.6 mi·5 min·Oregon Way
7
Turn right onto Tennant Way
3.1 mi·4 min·Tennant Way
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South: Portland
9
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·30 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
122 mi·2 hr 28 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Exit 194AToward OR 126 East: Springfield
12
Merge onto I 105; OR 126
0.9 mi·1 min·Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward OR 528 South: Springfield City Center
14
Turn right onto OR 528
1.0 mi·2 min·Pioneer Parkway West
15
Continue on OR 528
175 ft·10 sec·South 2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto OR 126 Business
337 ft·15 sec·South A Street
17
Turn left onto OR 528
202 ft·5 sec·Pioneer Parkway East
18
Arrive at destination
OR 528
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just under 4 hours, this is a perfect route for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of daylight, especially if you prefer not to drive in the dark. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure your tank is full before you depart Clatskanie to minimize any mid-trip fuel stops. While the longest stretch is 151 miles on I 5, there's one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for the transition from local highways onto I 5, as this is where the main part of your drive begins.
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 86 miles from Clatskanie, OR, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151 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 38 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clatskanie, 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 Clatskanie, OR
This is one driving day of about 172 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Clatskanie, 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 I 5 for about 151 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 46.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Southeast 3rd Street
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 30 / Lower Columbia River Highway
Turn right onto US 30 / Lower Columbia River Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
11.7 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward WA 433 North: Longview, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 433 North: Longview, Seattle
5
18.2 mi into trip|~29m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
46.8 mi into trip|~1h in|I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.26 one way
$68.53 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$36.26
$72.52
premium
$5.59
$37.86
$75.72
diesel
$5.61
$37.98
$75.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.6
0
$18.06
$8.26
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.05
$6.88
EV Truck/SUV
68.8
0
$24.08
$11.01
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Clatskanie, OR
Evening
in Clatskanie on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Springfield, OR
Evening
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
29 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
3h 34m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with an 88% highway share. You'll spend the bulk of your time on I 5, experiencing a long, uninterrupted stretch of 151 miles. While the initial and final portions might involve some local roads like Lower Columbia River Highway and Tennant Way, the core of the journey is on the interstate. This means consistent speeds and a predictable driving experience for most of the 172 miles. The landscape will likely be typical of interstate travel through Oregon.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Lower Columbia River Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Southeast 3rd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Southeast 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 30 / Lower Columbia River Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clatskanie, OR to Springfield, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Seattle along the way.
Seattle
11.7 mi in|~17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 172 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Springfield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Southeast 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 30 / Lower Columbia River Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Springfield, OR, but most travelers stay overnight.
