Williams to Gresham is 276 miles and takes about 5 hours 50 minutes via OR 99 and I-205, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Oregon, traveling from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the same region. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within the state.
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
138.1 miles from Williams, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
OR 99
230 mi
4h 28m
I 205
16.4 mi
21m
Williams Highway
13.5 mi
22m
Water Gap Road
4.4 mi
10m
Southeast Foster Road
3.3 mi
7m
West Powell Boulevard
2.7 mi
6m
Southeast 7th Street
2.6 mi
6m
Southeast Jenne Road
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
OR 99
— 230 mi, about 4h 28m
Traffic on I-205
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,957 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~308 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Williams, OR and Gresham, OR.
1
Start on Williams Highway
1.5 mi·3 min·Williams Highway
2
Turn left onto Water Gap Road
4.4 mi·10 min·Water Gap Road
3
Continue on Watergap Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Watergap Road
4
Turn straight onto OR 238
12 mi·17 min·Williams Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto OR 238
0.4 mi·44 sec·Williams Highway
6
Continue on OR 99
2.6 mi·6 min·Southeast 7th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto OR 99
230 mi·4 hr 28 min·OR 99
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·52 sec
Exit 288Toward I 205 North: Oregon CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 205
16 mi·21 min·I 205
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 17Toward Foster RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Southeast Woodstock Boulevard
0.2 mi·24 sec·Southeast Woodstock Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn slight right onto Southeast Foster Road
3.3 mi·7 min·Southeast Foster Road
13
Turn left onto Southeast Jenne Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Southeast Jenne Road
14
Continue on Southeast 174th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Southeast 174th Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 26
0.1 mi·20 sec·Southeast Powell Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 26
2.7 mi·6 min·West Powell Boulevard
17
Turn left
118 ft·8 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour 50-minute drive, departing Williams in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. While it's a single-day trip, the 230-mile stretch on OR 99 means you might want to plan for a mid-drive break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer highway segments. With a $55 fuel estimate, it's wise to fill up before you leave Williams.
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 138.1 miles from Williams, OR, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.1 miles or 2h 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 4h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gresham, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Williams, 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 Williams, OR
This is one driving day of about 276.1 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Williams, 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 OR 99 for about 230 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.9 and 273.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
20.9 mi into trip|~40m in|OR 99
Take the exit onto OR 99
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
250.9 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 205 North: Oregon City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 288
Toward I 205 North: Oregon City
7
268.1 mi into trip|~5h 31m in
Take the exit toward Foster Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17
Toward Foster Road
7
268.4 mi into trip|~5h 32m in|Southeast Woodstock Boulevard
Turn right onto Southeast Woodstock Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
273.3 mi into trip|~5h 43m in|US 26 / Southeast Powell Boulevard
Turn right onto US 26 / Southeast Powell Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.93 one way
$97.85 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$52.39
$104.79
premium
$5.04
$54.81
$109.61
diesel
$4.80
$52.13
$104.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.8
1
$28.99
$13.25
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.16
$11.04
EV Truck/SUV
110.4
1
$38.65
$17.67
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Williams, OR
Morning
in Williams on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Clear then Patchy Smoke
NE 0 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 10:23AM PDT until July 18 at 10:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Gresham, OR
Morning
in Gresham on Sunday
Local time
10:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
NW 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 10:23AM PDT until July 18 at 10:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
4 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 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 89% of the 276 miles on faster roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 230 miles on OR 99 before transitioning to I-205. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach Gresham.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230 mi on OR 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on OR 99 and I 205. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.9 miles in near OR 99.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 276.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.9 miles (OR 99): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Gresham is the fourth largest city within the state of Oregon, with a population of 114,000 in 2020. It's the home of an annual jazz festival. It is a part of the Portland Metropolitan Area and is generally considered a Portland suburb.
The downtown area of Gresham can be easily missed by those driving along W Powell Blvd, but has a handful of restaurants and shops to offer, as well as Main City Park.
Top landmarks
•Charles and Fae Olson House — historic house in Gresham, Oregon, USA
•Dr. Herbert H. Hughes House — historic house in Gresham, Oregon, USA
•Emanuel and Christina Anderson House — historic house in Gresham, Oregon, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 276.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 230 miles on OR 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Gresham, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.9 miles (OR 99): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gresham, OR before the return drive.
