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Trip from Portland, OR to Merlin, OR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 50m

Distance

240.8 mi

387 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 37m ★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Merlin, OR, OR

Merlin, OR

Bejan Adrian

Trip Overview

This 240.8-mile drive from Portland, Oregon, to Merlin, Oregon, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 50 minutes. It's an ideal candidate for a single-day road trip, with a fuel cost estimated at $48. The route predominantly utilizes I-5, making up 97% of the drive, so expect a consistent pace. Since both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, the scenery will likely maintain a familiar feel throughout. This trip is best suited for those prioritizing efficient travel over frequent scenic detours.

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

120.4 miles from Portland, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 233 mi 4h 34m
Pleasant Valley Road 2.5 mi 4m
Monument Drive 2.2 mi 3m
Stadium Freeway 1.5 mi 2m
Northwest Couch Street 0.4 mi 1m
Northwest 13th Avenue 0.3 mi 1m
Merlin Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Southwest Taylor Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 233 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Portland, OR and Merlin, OR.

1

Start on this road

110 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Northwest Couch Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Northwest Couch Street
3

Turn left onto Northwest 13th Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Northwest 13th Avenue
4

Turn right onto Southwest Taylor Street

29 ft · 1 sec · Southwest Taylor Street
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 405 South Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6

Merge onto I 405

1.5 mi · 2 min · Stadium Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 5

233 mi · 4 hr 34 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward Hugo
9

Turn right onto Monument Drive

2.2 mi · 3 min · Monument Drive
10

Turn right onto Pleasant Valley Road

2.5 mi · 4 min · Pleasant Valley Road
11

Turn left onto Merlin Avenue

402 ft · 17 sec · Merlin Avenue
12

Arrive at destination

Merlin Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 50-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays and to reach Merlin with daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 233 miles on I-5, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $48, and it's always wise to top off when you see a convenient station on the interstate.

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 120.4 miles from Portland, OR, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 233 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.4 miles or 2h 25m 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 56m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Portland, 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 Portland, OR

This is one driving day of about 240.8 miles and 4h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Portland, 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 I 5 for about 233 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Oregon, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Drain, OR

120 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

Salem, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Drain, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.4 miles from Portland, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 233 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine | Pearl District

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Oregon

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+19717544966

Visit website

Grits N' Gravy

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Oregon

0.1 mi

Lechon

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Oregon

0.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lan Su Chinese Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Oregon

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 10 am–6:30 pm

+15032288131

Visit website

TwentySix Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Oregon

1.6 mi

red e café roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Oregon

2.7 mi

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine | Pearl District

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+19717544966

Visit website

Grits N' Gravy

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15032273903

Visit website

Lechon

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 4–9 pm

+15032199000

Visit website

The Society Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15034450444

Visit website

Café UNITED

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15039841072

Visit website

Khao San Thai

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15032273700

Visit website

Behind The Museum Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+15034776625

Visit website

Higgins

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+15032229070

Visit website

Lan Su Chinese Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–6:30 pm

+15032288131

Visit website

TwentySix Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

red e café roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15039981387

Visit website

Common Grounds Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15033419528

Visit website

Empirical Cafè

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Portland, Oregon

Cafe Ume

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+15035227160

Visit website

Marino Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15032311313

Visit website

Café Zamora

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm

+19713367398

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 223.6

Wolf Creek, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 103.2

Springfield, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Era Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 206.4

Canyonville, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884092980

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 103.2

Eugene, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

bp pulse Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 103.2

Springfield, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18332778573

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 103.2

Eugene, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555212244

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 103.2

Springfield, Oregon

+18663003827

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 103.2

Springfield, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Powell's City of Books

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18008787323

Visit website

Portland Art Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15032262811

Visit website

The Skeleton Key Odditorium

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 12–6 pm

+15032215424

Visit website

Tanner Springs Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Portland, OR

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+15038237529

Visit website

Oregon Historical Society

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15032221741

Visit website

Hopscotch Portland

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18334779229

Visit website

OMSI

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 9:30 am–5:30 pm

+15037974000

Visit website

Oregon Rail Heritage Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 1–5 pm

+15032331156

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 2.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | Northwest 13th Avenue

Turn left onto Northwest 13th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | Southwest Taylor Street

Turn right onto Southwest Taylor Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 405 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 405 South
5
1.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 405 / Stadium Freeway

Merge onto I 405 / Stadium Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
2.7 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 5

Merge onto I 5

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.97 one way

$95.94 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $50.77 $101.53
premium $5.59 $53.00 $106.01
diesel $5.61 $53.17 $106.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.2 0 $25.28 $11.56
Efficient EV 60.2 0 $21.07 $9.63
EV Truck/SUV 96.3 1 $33.71 $15.41

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Portland, OR

Night in Portland on Saturday

Local time

11:03 PM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Merlin, OR

Night in Merlin on Saturday

Local time

11:03 PM

PDT

Current temp

40°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

5 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

4h 50m 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?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 97% of the journey taking place on major interstates. The bulk of your travel, a continuous stretch of 233 miles, will be on I-5, offering a consistent and fast-paced drive. While the profile is 'highway-focused,' you will encounter brief segments on Pleasant Valley Road and Monument Drive, which might offer a slight change of pace before you rejoin the main interstate. The character of the drive remains largely about covering ground efficiently.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 233 mi on I 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Pleasant Valley Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Northwest 13th Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 50m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Northwest 13th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (Southwest Taylor Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 240.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 233 miles on I 5. 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 0.4 miles (Northwest 13th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (Southwest Taylor Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Merlin, 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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