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Trip from Hillsboro, OR to Hermiston, OR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 4m

Distance

205.6 mi

331 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 51m ★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city and county seat of Washington County, Oregon, United States

Hillsboro, OR

Wikimedia Commons

city in Oregon, USA

Hermiston, OR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Hillsboro to Hermiston is 205.6 miles and takes about 4h 4m via Columbia River Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey takes you across Oregon's Pacific Coast region, ending in the same region. Expect a route with numerous turns, making it more of a local drive than a high-speed transit. It's a manageable one-day trip, so you can depart at your leisure and take your time. This route is best suited for those who prefer a more engaged driving experience over simply covering distance.

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

102.8 miles from Hillsboro, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Columbia River Highway 158.1 mi 2h 55m
Old Oregon Trail Highway 15.1 mi 16m
Northwest Sunset Highway 6.7 mi 9m
Banfield Freeway 6.6 mi 8m
Sunset Highway 4.3 mi 6m
OR 207 4.2 mi 6m
Northeast Cornell Road 2 mi 4m
Northeast Brookwood Parkway 1.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Columbia River Highway — 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hillsboro, OR and Hermiston, OR.

1

Start on North 1st Avenue

387 ft · 17 sec · North 1st Avenue
2

Turn right onto Northeast Lincoln Street

0.8 mi · 3 min · Northeast Lincoln Street
3

Turn left onto Northeast Cornell Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · Northeast Cornell Road
4

Turn left onto Northeast Brookwood Parkway

1.7 mi · 3 min · Northeast Brookwood Parkway
Use the left lane.
5

Turn right onto Northeast Evergreen Parkway

0.9 mi · 1 min · Northeast Evergreen Parkway
6

Turn left onto Northeast Imbrie Drive

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Northeast Imbrie Drive
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left onto Northeast Cornelius Pass Road

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Northeast Cornelius Pass Road
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward US 26 East: Portland Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto US 26

6.7 mi · 9 min · Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 26

4.3 mi · 6 min · Sunset Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 26

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 26
Toward I 405 South, US 26 East: Salem
12

Merge onto I 405; US 26

0.7 mi · 59 sec · Stadium Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit onto Stadium Freeway

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Stadium Freeway
Toward I 5 North, I 84 East: The Dalles, Seattle Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 5

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Marquam Bridge
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Exit 300 Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland Airport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport, The Dalles Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 84; US 30

6.6 mi · 8 min · Banfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 84; US 30

158 mi · 2 hr 55 min · Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 84; US 30

15 mi · 16 min · Old Oregon Trail Highway
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward OR 207: Hermiston, Lexington
21

Turn left onto OR 207

4.2 mi · 6 min · OR 207
22

Turn right onto West Hermiston Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Hermiston Avenue
23

Turn right onto North 1st Place

400 ft · 14 sec · North 1st Place
24

Turn left onto West Locust Avenue

517 ft · 14 sec · West Locust Avenue
25

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 4m estimated duration, this route is comfortably a single-day trip from Hillsboro to Hermiston. You could start anytime in the morning to arrive with plenty of daylight. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break about halfway through the 205.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $41 estimated cost suggests you'll want to fill up before you leave Hillsboro or as soon as you see a station after leaving town, especially since a significant portion of the drive isn't on major highways. The local road nature means you'll encounter more varied speed limits and potential for local traffic.

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 102.8 miles from Hillsboro, OR, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.1 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 45 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 102.8 miles or 2h 7m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hermiston, OR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, OR

This is one driving day of about 205.6 miles and 4h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Hillsboro, 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 158.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Multnomah County, Oregon, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gresham, OR

103 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Gresham, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sunnyside, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102.8 miles from Hillsboro, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Columbia River Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 19.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
5.5 mi into trip | ~12m in | Northeast Imbrie Drive

Turn left onto Northeast Imbrie Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
17.4 mi into trip | ~29m in | US 26

Keep slight right at fork onto US 26 toward I 405 South, US 26 East: Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 405 South, US 26 East: Salem
7
18.3 mi into trip | ~31m in | Stadium Freeway

Take the exit onto Stadium Freeway toward I 5 North, I 84 East: The Dalles, 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 I 5 North, I 84 East: The Dalles, Seattl...
8
19.2 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland Airport

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 300 Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portl...
8
19.4 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport, The Dalles

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport,...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.96 one way

$81.92 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $43.35 $86.69
premium $5.59 $45.26 $90.51
diesel $5.61 $45.39 $90.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.7 0 $21.59 $9.87
Efficient EV 51.4 0 $17.99 $8.22
EV Truck/SUV 82.2 1 $28.78 $13.16

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 15, 2026

Origin

Hillsboro, OR

Night in Hillsboro on Saturday

Local time

9:16 PM

PDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hermiston, OR

Night in Hermiston on Saturday

Local time

9:16 PM

PDT

Current temp

47°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

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 4m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive leans heavily into local roads, with only about 7% of the journey on highways. You'll find yourself navigating a 'turn-heavy' profile for much of the 205.6 miles. The longest stretch without a significant turn or change in road designation is 158.1 miles on the Columbia River Highway. As you progress, expect the road to feel more like a series of connected local byways rather than a continuous highway experience. This means more opportunities to adjust your speed and take in the immediate surroundings.

Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.1 mi on Columbia River Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 5.5 miles in near Northeast Imbrie Drive.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 205.6 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 5.5 miles (Northeast Imbrie Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles (US 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (Stadium Freeway): 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.

Between Hillsboro, OR and Hermiston, OR, road signs point toward Seattle, Portland Airport and The Dalles.

Seattle

18.3 mi in | ~31m | via Stadium Freeway

Portland Airport

19.2 mi in | ~32m

The Dalles

19.4 mi in | ~32m

About the Cities

Arriving in Hermiston, OR

Full guide →

Hermiston is a city in Umatilla County in the Eastern Oregon region of Oregon.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 205.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 158.1 miles on Columbia River Highway. 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 Hermiston, 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 5.5 miles (Northeast Imbrie Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles (US 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (Stadium Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Hermiston, OR, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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