Oregon road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Oregon
The best motorcycle roads in Oregon run along the coast on US 101, through the Coast Range on river highways, over the Cascades on summer-only passes like McKenzie Pass, and out across the canyons of the high desert to Hells Canyon. Here are 13 classics by region, with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 13
- Regions
- 4
- Summer-only roads
- McKenzie, Aufderheide, Rim Drive
- Check before you go
- ODOT TripCheck
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Oregon
Oregon's best roads split along the Cascades. West of the mountains, roads follow rivers through the Coast Range and climb into the forest, and you'll often ride them damp. East of the mountains, the roads open up into canyon country with dry pavement and very little traffic. The best trips cross the Cascades at least once.
Several of the best roads close every winter and only open once the snow melts, usually around early summer. Check ODOT TripCheck before any mountain ride, and the National Park Service for Crater Lake. Start at the Oregon motorcycle rides hub for the overview, see the best time to ride in Oregon for the seasons, and the Pacific Northwest ride guide for rider-added roads on a map.
Coast and Coast Range
The coast and the Coast Range
- 1. Oregon Coast Highway (US 101)Why: More than 350 miles from Astoria to Brookings, past headlands like Cape Perpetua and Heceta Head, beach towns and sea stacks. Every public beach access is a reason to stop. Watch for: Wind that hits hard as you round the headlands, fog on summer afternoons, long lines behind RVs, and slide repairs after winter storms. Best season: July to September, with September often the clearest.
- 2. Three Capes Scenic RouteWhy: A loop off US 101 near Tillamook past Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda at Pacific City, with forest, dunes and big ocean views. Watch for: Slides have closed parts of the route near Cape Meares, so check the detour, plus sand on the road and beach traffic. Best season: Summer and early fall.
- 3. Wilson River Highway (OR 6)Why: Around 50 miles from the edge of the Portland area through the Tillamook State Forest to Tillamook, following the Wilson River through curve after curve. The Portland rider's quick escape to the coast. Watch for: Wet shaded corners, log trucks, deer and weekend traffic. Best season: Summer, and dry days in spring and fall.
Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood
The Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood
- 4. Historic Columbia River Highway and the Rowena LoopsWhy: The west end climbs from Troutdale to Vista House at Crown Point and past Multnomah Falls on a narrow old road with stone walls. The east end, from Mosier to The Dalles, has the Rowena Loops, a set of tight switchbacks below the Rowena Crest viewpoint. Watch for: Crowds at the falls, timed-use permits that have applied to the waterfall corridor in recent summers, and strong Gorge wind. Best season: Spring for the waterfalls, summer and fall for the east end.
- 5. Mount Hood Loop (US 26 and OR 35)Why: US 26 climbs out of the Portland suburbs to Government Camp, then OR 35 curls around the mountain's east flank and down through orchard country to Hood River. Close the loop along the Gorge on I-84. Watch for: Snow on the high sections well into spring, traction rules in winter and heavy weekend traffic. Best season: July to September.
The Cascades
Cascade passes and summer-only roads
- 6. McKenzie Pass (OR 242)Why: The old McKenzie Highway climbs from the McKenzie River valley through thick forest to open lava fields and the Dee Wright Observatory, then drops to Sisters. Tight, narrow and unforgettable. Watch for: Very tight corners, cyclists, a ban on long vehicles, and a winter closure that usually lasts until around mid to late June. Best season: July to October.
- 7. Aufderheide Memorial Drive (Forest Road 19)Why: About 60 miles of narrow paved forest road from Westfir near Oakridge north past Cougar Reservoir to OR 126 near the McKenzie River. Big trees, river views and very little traffic. Watch for: No services, no cell signal, debris and rock on the pavement, and snow closures outside summer. Check the Forest Service before you go. Best season: Summer and early fall.
- 8. Cascade Lakes Scenic BywayWhy: From Bend past Mount Bachelor, Sparks Lake, Elk Lake and a string of other mountain lakes, with volcano views most of the way. Watch for: A gate past Mount Bachelor that stays closed until the snow clears, road cyclists on summer mornings, and trailers turning into the lake campgrounds. Best season: Late June to October.
- 9. North Umpqua and Rogue-Umpqua (OR 138, OR 230, OR 62)Why: OR 138 follows the North Umpqua River east from Roseburg past waterfalls toward Diamond Lake, then OR 230 and OR 62 drop down the Rogue River toward Medford. A full-day loop through southern Oregon's best river country. Watch for: Damp shaded corners, trucks and slow traffic. Best season: Late spring to fall.
- 10. Crater Lake Rim DriveWhy: About 33 miles around the caldera rim, with pullouts every few miles over the deepest lake in the country. Watch for: Snow keeps the full loop closed for much of the year, usually opening around July. Construction has closed sections in some seasons. There's a park fee, and it's cold up top. Best season: July to early October.
East of the Cascades
High desert, painted hills and Hells Canyon
- 11. Journey Through Time: OR 218, Shaniko to FossilWhy: From the near ghost town of Shaniko through Antelope and down into the John Day River canyon at Clarno, then up to Fossil. Empty, curvy and full of history. Watch for: Long gaps between gas, cattle, gravel in the corners, and summer heat in the canyon. Best season: May to June, September to October.
- 12. US 26 through the John Day countryWhy: From Prineville over Ochoco Pass to Mitchell, with a short detour to the Painted Hills, then through Picture Gorge toward John Day. Some of the best open riding in the state. Watch for: Deer at dawn and dusk, summer heat and long gaps between towns. Best season: Late spring and early fall.
- 13. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway (OR 82, Forest Road 39, OR 86)Why: From La Grande to Joseph and Wallowa Lake, then over the Wallowa Mountains on Forest Road 39, with a short spur to the Hells Canyon Overlook, and down to Halfway and Baker City. The far northeast at its best. Watch for: Hours between towns, Forest Road 39's long winter closure, broken pavement in places, and elk on the road at dusk. Best season: July to September.
Summary
Oregon motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Coast Highway (US 101) | Coast | Jul to Sep |
| Three Capes Scenic Route | North coast | Summer, early fall |
| Wilson River Highway (OR 6) | Coast Range | Summer |
| Historic Columbia River Highway | Columbia Gorge | Spring to fall |
| Mount Hood Loop | Mount Hood | Jul to Sep |
| McKenzie Pass (OR 242) | Cascades | Jul to Oct |
| Aufderheide Memorial Drive | Cascades | Summer, early fall |
| Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway | Central Oregon | Late Jun to Oct |
| North Umpqua and Rogue-Umpqua | Southern Oregon | Late spring to fall |
| Crater Lake Rim Drive | Southern Cascades | Jul to early Oct |
| OR 218, Shaniko to Fossil | Central Oregon | May to Jun, Sep to Oct |
| US 26, John Day country | Eastern Oregon | Late spring, early fall |
| Hells Canyon Scenic Byway | Northeast | Jul to Sep |
Rider-added roads
Oregon roads riders have added in Rippin'
Oregon is early days for Rippin', which began in Southern California, so most of these roads are still waiting for a rider to add them. The live list right after this section shows the Oregon roads on the map today.
To add one, ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment: set a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. After that, every rider who rides through it is timed automatically and lands on its board. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, so the board is about who owns the road, not a race. Read about segments and leaderboards.
Loops claim turf too. Ride the full Mount Hood Loop and you've drawn a closed shape around the mountain, so everything inside becomes your turf on the live map. See how Turf Wars works.
Live from the app
Oregon on Rippin' right now.
10 upcoming events and 3 rider-added roads in Oregon on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Tue Nov 10Cycle Gear Medford November Bike NightMedford
- Wed Nov 11CMA November Bike NightRoseburg
- Sun Nov 15ABATE Stan Johnson Memorial Toy RunHillsboro
- Sat Dec 546th Annual Southern Oregon Toy RunMedford
- Sat Dec 547th Annual ABATE / Shriners Toy RunPortland
- Tue Dec 8Cycle Gear Medford December Bike NightMedford
- Wed Dec 9CMA December Bike NightRoseburg
- Sat Dec 12Angels on Wheels Toy RunPortland
- Fri Jan 143rd Annual Polar Bear RunPortland
- Thu Feb 18Oregon International Auto & Motorcycle Show 2027Portland
Roads riders added in Oregon
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Oregon?
Most riders start with US 101, the whole coast in one road. Riders also rank McKenzie Pass, the Aufderheide, OR 218 from Shaniko to Fossil and the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway near the top. Pick by season, since several close in winter.
What are the best motorcycle rides near Portland?
The Wilson River Highway (OR 6) to Tillamook, the Historic Columbia River Highway, and the Mount Hood Loop on US 26 and OR 35. All three are within an easy morning of the city.
When does McKenzie Pass open?
OR 242 is gated every winter. It usually reopens around mid to late June, later after a heavy snow year. Check ODOT TripCheck before you go.
When is Crater Lake Rim Drive open?
The full loop is usually open from around July into October. Snow and construction can change that, so check the National Park Service.
Which Oregon roads are good for newer riders?
US 101 on a calm, dry day and the Mount Hood Loop in summer are wide and well traveled. Save McKenzie Pass, the Aufderheide and the Rowena Loops for when you're comfortable with tight corners.
Can I add an Oregon road to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put an Oregon classic on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording, and add it. Your name stays on it.
Free on iPhone and Android. How Rippin' works
