If you are planning a trip from Gresham to Waldport, prepare for a 159-mile trek that takes roughly 3 hours and 38 minutes to complete. This journey stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region of Oregon, making it a straightforward excursion that is easily manageable as a single-day outing. You should budget approximately $32 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the route relies heavily on local thoroughfares rather than major interstates, it offers a more personal, albeit turn-heavy, driving experience. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or a quiet retreat, this drive is best approached as a direct trip without the need for an overnight stop.
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
79.5 miles from Gresham, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
59.5 mi
1h 9m
Alsea Highway
54.8 mi
1h 15m
I 205
16.6 mi
21m
Corvallis-Lebanon Highway
9.6 mi
13m
Southeast Foster Road
3.6 mi
7m
Southwest Philomath Boulevard
3.6 mi
6m
West Powell Boulevard
2.7 mi
6m
Main Street
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gresham, OR and Waldport, OR.
1
Start on this road
118 ft·10 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 26
2.7 mi·6 min·West Powell Boulevard
3
Continue on US 26
0.1 mi·29 sec·Southeast Powell Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Southeast 174th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southeast 174th Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Southeast Jenne Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast Jenne Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast Foster Road
3.6 mi·7 min·Southeast Foster Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp onto Southeast 94th Avenue
0.3 mi·48 sec·Southeast 94th Avenue
Toward I 205 South: Oregon City, SalemUse the left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 205
17 mi·21 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
508 ft·6 sec
Toward I 5 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on this road
0.9 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 5 South: Salem
11
Merge onto I 5
60 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·53 sec
Toward OR 34: Lebanon, Corvallis
13
Turn right onto OR 34
9.6 mi·13 min·Corvallis-Lebanon Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto OR 34
0.6 mi·47 sec·Newport-Corvallis Highway
15
Continue on OR 34
0.5 mi·47 sec·Corvallis-Newport Highway
16
Continue on US 20; OR 34
3.6 mi·6 min·Southwest Philomath Boulevard
17
Continue on US 20; OR 34
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
18
Take the exit onto College Street
0.7 mi·1 min·College Street
19
Turn left onto North 13th Street
387 ft·17 sec·North 13th Street
20
Turn right onto US 20; OR 34
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
21
Continue on US 20; OR 34
0.2 mi·20 sec·Corvallis-Newport Highway
22
Turn left onto OR 34
17 mi·22 min·Alsea Highway
23
Continue on OR 34
0.4 mi·1 min·East Main Street
24
Continue on OR 34
38 mi·52 min·Alsea Highway
25
Continue on OR 34
1.1 mi·2 min·Northeast Alsea Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on OR 34
0.1 mi·22 sec·Northwest Alsea Highway
27
Continue on OR 34
0.2 mi·43 sec·Northwest Hemlock Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest Maple Street
99 ft·3 sec·Northwest Maple Street
29
Arrive at destination
Northwest Maple Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 38-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the turns and stretch your legs. Since this is a localized route, keeping a flexible schedule is your best asset for navigating local traffic patterns. You will want to monitor your fuel levels before heading out, keeping the $32 estimated cost in mind for your budget. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the Powell Boulevard segments early, as these local roads serve as the backbone of your navigation. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the freedom to depart at your leisure, though avoiding peak local travel hours will ensure a smoother experience.
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 79.5 miles from Gresham, OR, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 35 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.5 miles or 1h 44m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waldport, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gresham, 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 Gresham, OR
This is one driving day of about 159 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Gresham, 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 59.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 24.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|Southeast 174th Avenue
Turn left onto Southeast 174th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.2 mi into trip|~9m in|Southeast Foster Road
At end of road, turn right onto Southeast Foster Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
7.9 mi into trip|~17m in|Southeast 94th Avenue
Take the ramp onto Southeast 94th Avenue toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem
5
8.2 mi into trip|~18m in|I 205
Merge onto I 205
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
24.8 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Salem
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.67 one way
$63.35 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$33.52
$67.04
premium
$5.59
$35.00
$70.00
diesel
$5.61
$35.11
$70.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.7
0
$16.69
$7.63
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.91
$6.36
EV Truck/SUV
63.6
0
$22.26
$10.18
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Gresham, OR
Evening
in Gresham on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Waldport, OR
Evening
in Waldport on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°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
5 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 38m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging ride, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than high-speed cruising. You will navigate via West Powell Boulevard, Southeast Powell Boulevard, and Southeast 174th Avenue to get underway. With a 0% highway share, you will remain off the major interstates for the duration of the 159-mile trip. This lack of highway stretches means you should anticipate a more deliberate pace behind the wheel. The road requires your full attention as you transition through the local corridors that lead you toward the coast.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near Southeast 174th Avenue.
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 159 miles you will encounter 16 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 2.8 miles (Southeast 174th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (Southeast Foster Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Southeast 94th Avenue): 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 Gresham, OR to Waldport, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Corvallis along the way.
Gresham is the fourth largest city within the state of Oregon, with a population of 114,000 in 2020. It's the home of an annual jazz festival. It is a part of the Portland Metropolitan Area and is generally considered a Portland suburb.
The downtown area of Gresham can be easily missed by those driving along W Powell Blvd, but has a handful of restaurants and shops to offer, as well as Main City Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 159 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.5 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 Waldport, 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 2.8 miles (Southeast 174th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (Southeast Foster Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Southeast 94th Avenue): 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 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Waldport, OR, but most travelers stay overnight.
