This 325.4-mile journey from Springfield, OR to Mission, OR is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. The route primarily utilizes I 5 and the Columbia River Highway, with a significant portion (35%) being on highways rather than interstates. With an estimated fuel cost of $65, it's an economical option for exploring the Pacific Coast region. This drive offers a mixed experience, making it manageable for a single day without feeling overly rushed. You'll find yourself on a variety of road types, so be prepared for different driving conditions throughout the approximately 6 hours and 16 minutes on the road.
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
162.7 miles from Springfield, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.1 mi
2h 55m
I 5
106.3 mi
2h 6m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
48.3 mi
52m
Banfield Freeway
6.6 mi
8m
South Market Road
2.3 mi
4m
Pioneer Parkway East
1.1 mi
2m
Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
Q Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,514 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,011
Quietest
2 AM
~149 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Springfield, OR and Mission, OR.
1
Start on OR 528
1.1 mi·2 min·Pioneer Parkway East
2
Turn left onto Q Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Q Street
3
Take the ramp onto West Q Street Ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec·West Q Street Ramp
4
Merge onto OR 126
0.5 mi·39 sec·Officer Chris Kilcullen Memorial Highway
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 North: Portland
6
Merge onto I 5
105 mi·2 hr 5 min·I 5
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.1 mi·1 min·I 5
Toward SeattleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 84; US 30
6.6 mi·8 min·Banfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 55 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 84; US 30
48 mi·52 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 216Toward OR 331: Milton-Freewater, Walla WallaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto OR 331
2.3 mi·4 min·South Market Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
OR 331
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 16-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Consider an early start to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for any brief stops you might need. The longest stretch without a break is over 158 miles on the Columbia River Highway, so plan for a fuel and stretch break before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $65, budgeting is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning to the highway portions, as services can be more spread out than on the interstate.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.7 miles from Springfield, OR, or about 3h 13m 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 72 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.7 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mission, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Springfield, 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 Springfield, OR
This is one driving day of about 325.4 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Springfield, 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 107.7 and 323.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
107.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 toward Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Seattle
8
108.8 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
109 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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,...
8
322.8 mi into trip|~6h 11m in
Take the exit toward OR 331: Milton-Freewater, Walla Walla
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 216
Toward OR 331: Milton-Freewater, Walla Walla
6
323.1 mi into trip|~6h 12m in|OR 331 / South Market Road
Turn left onto OR 331 / South Market Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.45 one way
$132.90 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$70.69
$141.38
premium
$5.72
$73.27
$146.53
diesel
$5.35
$68.54
$137.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.6
1
$34.17
$15.62
Efficient EV
81.4
0
$28.47
$13.02
EV Truck/SUV
130.2
1
$45.56
$20.83
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Springfield, OR
Afternoon
in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
12:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
WNW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mission, OR
Afternoon
in Mission on Wednesday
Local time
12:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
NE 9 mph0% 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
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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 mixed drive on this 325.4-mile route, with 35% of the total mileage on highways. While I 5 provides a faster pace for some sections, the Columbia River Highway offers a more engaging experience, featuring the longest uninterrupted stretch of 158.1 miles. This suggests a varied road personality, transitioning from interstate speeds to potentially more winding or scenic highway conditions. The drive's character is defined by this blend, offering both efficiency and moments of more focused driving as you navigate the different road types.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.7 miles in near I 5.
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 10 significant decision points across 325.4 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 107.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,220 ft51 ft
Total Climb
1,274 ft
Total Descent
512 ft
Highest Point
1,220 ft
~325.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,169 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Springfield, OR and Mission, OR, road signs point toward Seattle, Portland Airport and The Dalles.
Seattle
107.7 mi in|~2h 10m|via I 5
Portland Airport
108.8 mi in|~2h 11m
The Dalles
109 mi in|~2h 12m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Eugene (population 173,000 in 2019) is a city in Oregon at the southern end of the Willamette Valley near the confluence of the Mckenzie and Willamette rivers. It is best known for being the home of the University of Oregon.
Top landmarks
•Dorris Ranch Living History Farm — park in Lane County, Oregon, United States of America
•Brattain–Hadley House — former house in Springfield, Oregon, USA
•Washburne Historic District — Springfield, Oregon, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 325.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 31 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 Mission, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 107.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mission, OR before the return drive.
