Hillsboro to Union is 293.7 miles and takes about 5h 41m via Columbia River Highway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Oregon, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the eastern part of the state. The majority of this trip is on surface roads, offering a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate experience. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, it's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
146.9 miles from Hillsboro, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.1 mi
2h 55m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
97.3 mi
1h 45m
La Grande-Baker Highway
10.5 mi
15m
Northwest Sunset Highway
6.7 mi
9m
Banfield Freeway
6.6 mi
8m
Sunset Highway
4.3 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
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,403 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,920
Quietest
2 AM
~144 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Hillsboro, OR and Union, 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: PortlandUse 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, SeattleUse 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 300Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland AirportUse 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 DallesUse 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
97 mi·1 hr 45 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 30
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 30
Toward OR 203: La Grande, Union
21
Continue on US 30
11 mi·15 min·La Grande-Baker Highway
22
Continue on OR 203; OR 237
0.6 mi·57 sec·North Main Street
23
Turn left onto OR 203
69 ft·1 sec·East Beakman Street
24
Arrive at destination
OR 203
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under six hours, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you can leave anytime that suits your schedule. Plan for one stop to break up the 158.1-mile segment on the Columbia River Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you get further from larger towns, as services can be more spread out on these surface roads. The $55 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. This route offers flexibility, allowing you to linger at a stop if you find something interesting.
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 146.9 miles from Hillsboro, OR, or about 2h 56m 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 65 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.9 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, 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 293.7 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
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
$59.16 one way
$118.31 round trip
$5.12/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.43
$62.75
$125.50
premium
$5.67
$65.61
$131.22
diesel
$6.28
$72.57
$145.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.1
1
$30.84
$14.10
Efficient EV
73.4
0
$25.70
$11.75
EV Truck/SUV
117.5
1
$41.12
$18.80
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Hillsboro, OR
Late night
in Hillsboro on Thursday
Local time
3:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Union, OR
Late night
in Union on Thursday
Local time
3:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 15 mph1% chanceLive 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
1 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
5h 41m 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 route is primarily surface roads, with only about 25% on highways (highway_share: 4). You'll spend the bulk of your time cruising at lower speeds. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 158.1 miles along the Columbia River Highway. Expect to notice more local traffic and fewer high-speed interchanges compared to a typical interstate drive.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 293.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,785 ft48 ft
Total Climb
3,849 ft
Total Descent
1,251 ft
Highest Point
3,785 ft
~251.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,736 ft
Notable High Points
3,785 ft at ~251.8 miles+833 ft prominence
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 Union, OR, road signs point toward Seattle, Portland Airport and The Dalles.
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 5h 41m. Total distance: 293.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m 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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Union, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Union, OR before the return drive.
