Spanning 136.8 miles across Oregon, this route from Madras to Hillsboro is a manageable journey that typically takes 3 hours and 25 minutes. It works perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to complete the transit without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $27 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. You will navigate primarily via the Warm Springs Highway and the Mount Hood Highway, transitioning through the Pacific Coast region. Because the drive is straightforward, it serves as a reliable link between these two points, offering a practical pace for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
68.4 miles from Madras, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Madras, OR and Hillsboro, OR.
1
Start on US 26; US 97
0.4 mi·1 min·5th Street
2
Continue on US 26
13 mi·19 min·Northwest Warm Springs Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 26
47 mi·1 hr 4 min·Warm Springs Highway
4
Continue on US 26
31 mi·43 min·Mount Hood Highway
5
Continue on US 26
0.7 mi·2 min·Proctor Boulevard
6
Continue on US 26
9.1 mi·13 min·Mount Hood Highway
7
Continue on US 26
0.6 mi·58 sec·Southeast Mount Hood Highway
8
Continue on Southeast Burnside Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Southeast Burnside Road
9
Turn right onto Northwest Fairview Drive
0.2 mi·30 sec·Northwest Fairview Drive
10
Turn right onto Southeast 223rd Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Southeast 223rd Avenue
11
Turn left onto Northeast Glisan Street
0.4 mi·53 sec·Northeast Glisan Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn slight right
376 ft·13 sec
13
Turn straight onto Northeast Fairview Parkway
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast Fairview Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward I 84 West: Portland
15
Merge onto I 84; US 30
4.8 mi·6 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 84; US 30
6.8 mi·9 min·Banfield Freeway
Toward PortlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
18
Keep slight left at fork
261 ft·4 sec
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 5
1.1 mi·1 min·I 5
20
Take the exit onto Stadium Freeway
0.3 mi·30 sec·Stadium Freeway
Toward I 405, US 26: Beaverton
21
Merge onto I 405
0.7 mi·59 sec·Stadium Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 26
5.0 mi·7 min·US 26
Exit 1DToward US 26 West: BeavertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 26
3.1 mi·4 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 65Toward Cornell Road, Bethany BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
202 ft·9 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left onto Northwest Cornell Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Northwest Cornell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
5.1 mi·10 min·Northeast Cornell Road
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Northeast Cornell Road
29
Turn slight right
229 ft·10 sec
30
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
79 ft·2 sec·North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
32
Arrive at destination
North 1st Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop included in the itinerary, try to time your break after finishing the 46.7-mile stretch on the Warm Springs Highway to reset before the final leg. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels, as the technical nature of the road can sometimes affect consumption. Because the route relies heavily on local highways, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that require frequent adjustments. Taking this drive in a single day is well within reach, provided you account for the winding nature of the roads when calculating your arrival time.
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 68.4 miles from Madras, OR, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 30 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.4 miles or 1h 36m 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 43m
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 Madras, 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 Madras, OR
This is one driving day of about 136.8 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Madras, 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 Warm Springs Highway for about 46.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 117.7 and 128.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
118.1 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
120.2 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
128.3 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
128.5 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.25 one way
$54.50 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$28.84
$57.68
premium
$5.59
$30.11
$60.22
diesel
$5.61
$30.20
$60.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41
0
$14.36
$6.57
Efficient EV
34.2
0
$11.97
$5.47
EV Truck/SUV
54.7
0
$19.15
$8.76
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 20, 2026
Origin
Madras, OR
Late night
in Madras on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hillsboro, OR
Late night
in Hillsboro on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°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
19 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 25m 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?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 11% of this route consists of traditional highway driving, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating secondary roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 46.7 miles along the Warm Springs Highway. As you progress, the road surface and curvature will shift, moving away from the fast-paced feel of an interstate. This route rewards drivers who prefer technical, engaging roads over monotonous, straight-line travel.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.7 mi on Warm Springs Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 117.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 136.8 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 117.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Madras, OR and Hillsboro, OR, road signs point toward Portland, Omsi, City Center and Salem.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 136.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.7 miles on Warm Springs 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 117.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Hillsboro, OR, but most travelers stay overnight.
