Origin
Hood River, OR
Night in Hood River on Saturday
Local time
9:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hood River, OR to Bend, OR
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
153.8 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hood River, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Bend, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hood River to Bend is 153.8 miles and takes about 3 hours 37 minutes via The Dalles-California Highway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses from the Pacific Coast region into another Pacific Coast area within Oregon, offering a change of scenery as you head south. Expect a route that feels more like a local exploration than a high-speed interstate journey, with a good portion of the drive on The Dalles-California Highway. It's a manageable, single-day trip that provides a good taste of Oregon's diverse landscapes without requiring an overnight stay.
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
76.9 miles from Hood River, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| The Dalles-California Highway | 110.4 mi | 2h 31m |
| Columbia River Highway | 22.6 mi | 25m |
| Old Bend Redmond Highway | 6.6 mi | 11m |
| Southwest Canal Boulevard | 6.3 mi | 12m |
| McKenzie-Bend Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Bend Parkway | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Southwest 4th Street | 1 mi | 3m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
The Dalles-California Highway
— 110.4 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hood River, OR and Bend, OR.
1
Start on Park Street
446 ft
·
19 sec
·
Park Street
2
Continue on 9th Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
9th Street
3
Turn right onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
State Street
4
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
2nd Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 84 East: The Dalles
6
Merge onto I 84
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Columbia River Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 197: Dufur, Bend
8
Turn right onto US 30; US 197
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
The Dalles-California Highway
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 197
12 mi
·
15 min
·
The Dalles-California Highway
10
Continue on US 197
26 mi
·
36 min
·
The Dalles-California Highway
11
Continue on US 197
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Deschutes Avenue
12
Turn slight left onto US 197
46 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
The Dalles-California Highway
13
Continue on US 97
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Northeast 6th Street
14
Turn left onto US 26; US 97
264 ft
·
12 sec
·
4th Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 26; US 97
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest 4th Street
16
Continue on US 26; US 97
26 mi
·
37 min
·
The Dalles-California Highway
17
Turn right onto US 97 Business
503 ft
·
14 sec
·
Southwest Veterans Way
18
Turn left onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Southwest Canal Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
60 ft
·
1 sec
·
Southwest Canal Boulevard
20
Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Southwest Canal Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
112 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest Canal Boulevard
22
Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Canal Boulevard
23
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest Canal Boulevard
24
Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest Canal Boulevard
25
Continue on Old Bend Redmond Highway
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Old Bend Redmond Highway
26
Enter roundabout onto Old Bend Redmond Highway
121 ft
·
2 sec
·
Old Bend Redmond Highway
27
Continue on Old Bend Redmond Highway
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Old Bend Redmond Highway
28
Enter roundabout onto US 20
276 ft
·
3 sec
·
McKenzie-Bend Highway
29
Continue on US 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
McKenzie-Bend Highway
30
Enter roundabout onto US 20
130 ft
·
1 sec
·
McKenzie-Bend Highway
31
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
McKenzie-Bend Highway
32
Enter roundabout onto US 20
118 ft
·
1 sec
·
McKenzie-Bend Highway
33
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
·
McKenzie-Bend Highway
34
Turn straight onto US 20; US 97 Business
439 ft
·
13 sec
·
Northeast 3rd Street
35
Turn left onto Empire Avenue
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Empire Avenue
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
37
Merge onto US 97
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bend Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto Northwest Lafayette Avenue
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Northwest Lafayette Avenue
39
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest Wall Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Wall Street
40
Turn right onto Northwest Franklin Avenue
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
Northwest Franklin Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
Northwest Franklin Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 37 minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the 153.8-mile journey and any spontaneous, brief stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Hood River. Keep an eye on the road as you transition onto The Dalles-California Highway, as its length might tempt you to push on, but remember the profile indicates a turn-heavy experience which means you'll want to be alert. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to tailor the pace to your liking.
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 76.9 miles from Hood River, OR, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.4 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bend, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hood River, 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 Hood River, OR
This is one driving day of about 153.8 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Hood River, 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 The Dalles-California Highway for about 110.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.9 miles from Hood River, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before The Dalles-California Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.4 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 136.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 84 East: The Dalles
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 84 East: The Dalles
5
23.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward US 197: Dufur, Bend
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 197: Dufur, Bend
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 30; US 197 / The Dalles-California Highway
Turn right onto US 30; US 197 / The Dalles-California Highway
Navigation decision point
5
108.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
US 26; US 97 / 4th Street
Turn left onto US 26; US 97 / 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
136.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
Southwest Canal Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.64 one way
$61.28 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $32.43 | $64.85 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.85 | $67.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.96 | $67.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.15 | $7.38 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.46 | $6.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Bend, OR
Night in Bend on Saturday
Local time
9:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Warm Springs, OR
77 mi in
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
35 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 37m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only a 100% highway share indicating consistent road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 110.4 miles along The Dalles-California Highway, offering a sustained period of driving. While the profile suggests frequent turns, this often translates to engaging driving rather than tedious monotony. You'll experience a dynamic road that shifts character, moving from the Columbia River Highway towards local roads like Old Bend Redmond Highway as you approach your destination.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.4 mi on The Dalles-California Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 153.8 miles you will encounter 23 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 0.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.9 miles (US 30; US 197 / The Dalles-California Highway): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 153.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.4 miles on The Dalles-California 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.9 miles (US 30; US 197 / The Dalles-California Highway): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Bend, 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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