This 96-mile drive from The Dalles, OR to Aloha, OR takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a practical option for those looking to travel between the Pacific Coast regions. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $19. The route is characterized by a turn-heavy local drive feel, so plan for a more engaging experience than a straight highway run. With no designated stops, you'll have the flexibility to pull over as needed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48 miles from The Dalles, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
73.9 mi
1h 25m
Banfield Freeway
6.8 mi
9m
US 26
4.8 mi
6m
Southwest Tualatin Valley Highway
2.6 mi
5m
Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
1.5 mi
1m
East 2nd Street
1.2 mi
1m
I 5
1.1 mi
1m
Southwest Canyon Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between The Dalles, OR and Aloha, OR.
1
Start on this road
118 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto G Street
150 ft·11 sec·G Street
3
Turn left onto East 10th Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·East 10th Street
4
Turn right onto Kelly Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·Kelly Avenue
5
Continue on East 7th Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·East 7th Street
6
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Washington Street
7
Turn left onto US 30
1.2 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
8
Turn slight left
328 ft·5 sec
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
10
Merge onto I 84
74 mi·1 hr 25 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 84; US 30
6.8 mi·9 min·Banfield Freeway
Toward PortlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
13
Keep slight left at fork
261 ft·4 sec
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 5
1.1 mi·1 min·I 5
15
Take the exit onto Stadium Freeway
0.3 mi·30 sec·Stadium Freeway
Toward I 405, US 26: Beaverton
16
Merge onto I 405
0.7 mi·59 sec·Stadium Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 26
4.8 mi·6 min·US 26
Exit 1DToward US 26 West: BeavertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 69BToward Park Way, Barnes RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Southwest Baltic Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Southwest Baltic Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Southwest Barnes Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Southwest Barnes Road
21
Turn left onto OR 217
1.5 mi·1 min·Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 2AToward OR 8, OR 10: Canyon Road, Beaverton-Hillsdale HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto OR 8
1.1 mi·2 min·Southwest Canyon Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on OR 8
2.6 mi·5 min·Southwest Tualatin Valley Highway
25
Turn right onto Southwest 185th Avenue
52 ft·5 sec·Southwest 185th Avenue
26
Turn right
19 ft·1 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration and 96-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. While there are no official stops, the longest stretch without interruption is over 73 miles, so plan for a break before or during that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the total fuel cost is estimated at $19, and ensure you're comfortable with a route that features a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48 miles from The Dalles, OR, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aloha, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving The Dalles, 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 The Dalles, OR
This is one driving day of about 96 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from The Dalles, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Columbia River Highway for about 73.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 82.9 and 92.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
82.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m 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
90.2 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Park Way, Barnes Road
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 69B
Toward Park Way, Barnes Road
8
92.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward OR 8, OR 10: Canyon Road, Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway
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 2A
Toward OR 8, OR 10: Canyon Road, Beaverton-Hill...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.12 one way
$38.25 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$20.24
$40.48
premium
$5.59
$21.13
$42.26
diesel
$5.61
$21.20
$42.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.40
$3.84
EV Truck/SUV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
The Dalles, OR
Late night
in The Dalles on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Aloha, OR
Late night
in Aloha on Sunday
Local time
1:00 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
26 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
2h 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 16% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.9 miles along the Columbia River Highway. This suggests a significant portion of your drive will involve navigating local roads and potentially more frequent turns or changes in speed. The road's character will likely shift as you progress, moving from potentially more open highway sections to more intricate local routes.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on Columbia River 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 82.9 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 21 significant decision points across 96 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 82.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.4 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
656 ft49 ft
Total Climb
968 ft
Total Descent
1,011 ft
Highest Point
656 ft
~89.1 mi in
Elevation Range
607 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between The Dalles, OR and Aloha, OR, road signs point toward Portland, Omsi, City Center and Salem.
Portland
76.1 mi in|~1h 29m|via I 84; US 30
Omsi
82.9 mi in|~1h 39m
City Center
82.9 mi in|~1h 39m
Salem
83.2 mi in|~1h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 96 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on Columbia River Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Aloha, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 82.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.4 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aloha, OR before heading back.
