Spanning 279.5 miles across Oregon, this drive from Island City to Hillsboro typically takes about 5 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. Given the duration, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip if you are prepared for a long stretch of travel. You should budget approximately $56 for fuel to complete the journey. The route transitions across the Pacific Coast region, utilizing a combination of the Old Oregon Trail Highway, the Columbia River Highway, and the Banfield Freeway. While it is a straightforward trek, the turn-heavy nature of the local sections means you should stay alert throughout the day.
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
139.7 miles from Island City, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.3 mi
2h 56m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
93.6 mi
1h 41m
Banfield Freeway
6.8 mi
9m
Northeast Cornell Road
5.8 mi
12m
US 26
5 mi
7m
Northwest Sunset Highway
3.1 mi
4m
Northwest Cornell Road
1.7 mi
3m
I 5
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Island City, OR and Hillsboro, OR.
1
Start on OR 237
0.4 mi·36 sec·East 1st Street
2
Continue on OR 82
1.1 mi·1 min·Island Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
4
Merge onto I 84
94 mi·1 hr 41 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 56 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 84; US 30
6.8 mi·9 min·Banfield Freeway
Toward PortlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
8
Keep slight left at fork
261 ft·4 sec
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
1.1 mi·1 min·I 5
10
Take the exit onto Stadium Freeway
0.3 mi·30 sec·Stadium Freeway
Toward I 405, US 26: Beaverton
11
Merge onto I 405
0.7 mi·59 sec·Stadium Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 26
5.0 mi·7 min·US 26
Exit 1DToward US 26 West: BeavertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 26
3.1 mi·4 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 65Toward Cornell Road, Bethany BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
202 ft·9 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northwest Cornell Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Northwest Cornell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
5.1 mi·10 min·Northeast Cornell Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast Cornell Road
19
Turn slight right
229 ft·10 sec
20
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
79 ft·2 sec·North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
North 1st Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning for this 279.5-mile journey is straightforward, but efficiency is key to keeping your travel time near the 5-hour and 24-minute mark. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, make sure your single break is well-timed to maximize your comfort. Because the route features challenging, turn-heavy local segments, departing early in the morning allows you to navigate these sections during daylight hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $56 cost estimate assumes consistent driving conditions. Prioritize hydration and snacks before you leave Island City so you can minimize unnecessary stops and maintain your momentum toward Hillsboro.
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 139.7 miles from Island City, OR, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.3 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 61 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.7 miles or 2h 34m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsboro, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Island City, 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 Island City, OR
This is one driving day of about 279.5 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Island City, 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 158.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 260.4 and 271.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
260.4 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
8
260.8 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Beaverton, Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, Salem
7
262.9 mi into trip|~4h 54m in|US 26
Take the exit onto US 26 toward US 26 West: Beaverton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward US 26 West: Beaverton
8
271 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward Cornell Road, Bethany Boulevard
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 65
Toward Cornell Road, Bethany Boulevard
7
271.2 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.68 one way
$111.36 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$58.93
$117.85
premium
$5.59
$61.52
$123.05
diesel
$5.61
$61.71
$123.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.9
1
$29.35
$13.42
Efficient EV
69.9
0
$24.46
$11.18
EV Truck/SUV
111.8
1
$39.13
$17.89
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Island City, OR
Evening
in Island City on Saturday
Local time
6:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hillsboro, OR
Evening
in Hillsboro on Saturday
Local time
6:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
WSW 2 mph24% 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
7 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
5h 24m 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?
Expect a varied experience as you transition from rural stretches to more developed freeway corridors. The drive is characterized by a mix of fast highway travel and technical, turn-heavy local roads that demand your full attention. While highway driving accounts for only 5% of the total distance, you will spend a significant portion of your time on the Columbia River Highway, which hosts the longest uninterrupted stretch of 158.3 miles. As you progress toward the destination, the road's personality shifts from open highway cruising to more complex navigation. Prepare for a dynamic drive that keeps you engaged rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.3 mi on Columbia River Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 260.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 279.5 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 260.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.9 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,009 ft48 ft
Total Climb
1,596 ft
Total Descent
4,142 ft
Highest Point
4,009 ft
~20 mi in
Elevation Range
3,961 ft
Notable High Points
4,009 ft at ~20 miles+827 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Island City, OR and Hillsboro, OR, road signs point toward Portland, Omsi, City Center and Salem.
Portland
253.7 mi in|~4h 41m|via I 84; US 30
Omsi
260.4 mi in|~4h 50m
City Center
260.4 mi in|~4h 50m
Salem
260.8 mi in|~4h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 279.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.3 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 Hillsboro, 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 260.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.9 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hillsboro, OR before the return drive.
