Travel to OT

[Halfmiler2]

It looks like the only practical way for me to go to the Trials is to fly to Portland and drive down to Eugene from there. It looks like about 100 miles on the Interstate according to the map. Has anyone done this? Is it a simple drive with no mountains to climb over or special traffic problems, etc.? And any suggestions on a place to stop for lunch in route?

[lonewolf]

I have done this Portland- Eugene shuttle two or three times and will be doing it again for the Trials. It is about 120 miles, not a difficult drive , no mountains, about two hours, unless there is a traffic jam getting back into the airport from the interstate.

[dl]

Traffic can be bad around rush hour, but other than that, nothing out of the ordinary.

[Pego]

Re: Travel to OT

It looks like the only practical way for me to go to the Trials is to fly to Portland and drive down to Eugene from there. It looks like about 100 miles on the Interstate according to the map. Has anyone done this? Is it a simple drive with no mountains to climb over or special traffic problems, etc.? And any suggestions on a place to stop for lunch in route?

I am driving all the way from Wisconsin, LOL. Don't you all love Mrs. Pego for actually tagging along with this nut?

[Aiden]

I have done this Portland- Eugene shuttle two or three times and will be doing it again for the Trials. It is about 120 miles, not a difficult drive , no mountains, about two hours, unless there is a traffic jam getting back into the airport from the interstate.

That about sums it up really. Pego, you could probably fly for less than the cost of driving these days!

[lonewolf]

I have driven Oklahoma to Eugene and Sacremento several time. In the olden days, if you had the time, two could drive cheaper than flying. Now two is probably a wash.
As previously mentioned here, last year I drove to Sac and flew home. Driving took two looooong days and $245 gasoline. Flew home in three hours for $159.

[Pego]

I have done this Portland- Eugene shuttle two or three times and will be doing it again for the Trials. It is about 120 miles, not a difficult drive , no mountains, about two hours, unless there is a traffic jam getting back into the airport from the interstate.

That about sums it up really. Pego, you could probably fly for less than the cost of driving these days!

Probably, but I don't mind driving across the country. Never been to the Northwest.

[gh]

It's a straight shot on a modern interstate (I-5). Not quite a pool table, but basically flat and basically no curves.

Just be aware that the OSP can be rather active, and that there's a town between the two that's a noted speed trap, although its name escapes me at moment.

If you're trying to avoid the "long" drive, somebody mentioned here a few months back that there are some usable flights into Salem, if you're in a city/with an airline that uses it.

Recognizing the increased traffic, United has switched to real jets from the CRJ on the San Francisco-Eugene run.

[tandfman]

Re: Travel to OT

It looks like the only practical way for me to go to the Trials is to fly to Portland and drive down to Eugene from there. It looks like about 100 miles on the Interstate according to the map. Has anyone done this? Is it a simple drive with no mountains to climb over or special traffic problems, etc.? And any suggestions on a place to stop for lunch in route?

Not much to add to what others have said. I, too, have done it quite a few times, and I'll be doing it again for this year's Trials.

Nobody has answered your lunch question, and I can't be much help. Salem is about halfway to Eugene, and I know that there are a few places there where you can grab a bite. But you have to get off the Interstate. I think I did that once, many years ago, and had lunch at a Denny's. These days, I generally drive straight to Eugene and eat there when I arrive.

[gh]

I didn't address the dining issue because with it being such a quick and easy trip, unless you have an eating disorder, can't see why one would bother. If you're starving when you get off the plane there'll be plenty of places right by the airport.

[Dave]

Re: Travel to OT

It looks like the only practical way for me to go to the Trials is to fly to Portland and drive down to Eugene from there. It looks like about 100 miles on the Interstate according to the map. Has anyone done this? Is it a simple drive with no mountains to climb over or special traffic problems, etc.? And any suggestions on a place to stop for lunch in route?

it is a really easy drive on I5. It is far from the prettiest part of Oregon but not a bad drive either.

[James Fields]

Several respondents suggested driving from Portland airport via US 5 to Eugene. Don't look for any US 5 signs as you exit the airport at its east edge directly onto US 205 on which you will drive south until 205 joins US 5 -- about 20 miles south of downtown Portland and its traffic which you will have missed by staying on US 205.

As for eating, after a long flight, you will have a nice selection of food inside the Portland airport before getting your rental car. On the road the best off/on access to eating places would be Albany (between Salem and Eugene).

[tandfman]

Several respondents suggested driving from Portland airport via US 5 to Eugene. Don't look for any US 5 signs as you exit the airport at its east edge directly onto US 205 on which you will drive south until 205 joins US 5 -- about 20 miles south of downtown Portland and its traffic which you will have missed by staying on US 205.

It's probably a little shorter to take I-84 West from the airport and connect to I-5 in Portland. The only disadvantage of that is that you could hit some traffic if you're anywhere near rush hour when you go through Portland. But you do get to see the Portland skyline and the river. Different scenery from the rest of the trip.

As for eating, after a long flight, you will have a nice selection of food inside the Portland airport before getting your rental car. On the road the best off/on access to eating places would be Albany (between Salem and Eugene).

Albany's only 40 minutes north of Eugene. You almost might as well wait until you get to Eugene, unless you're really hungry. There are some good places in the Portland airport, but I believe they're all inside security. So if you've checked luggage and want to get down to baggage claim right away (as I always do, to minimize the risk of the baggage going astray), you won't be able to stop for lunch. And of course, once you're out of the secured area, you won't be able to get back in.

[James Fields]

It's probably a little shorter to take I-84 West from the airport and connect to I-5 in Portland.

Unless there's been major highway construction since I lived there, the I-84 advice has the same problem as I-5 advice for a traveler new to Portland airport: That traveler in a rental auto should be told that the highway at airport exit is I-205 which must be traveled enroute to connections with I-84 and/or I-5.

Albany's only 40 minutes north of Eugene. You almost might as well wait until you get to Eugene, unless you're really hungry.

The person who started this thread asked about stopping for lunch enroute between plane and Eugene. "The best off/on access to eating places would be Albany" is responsive. You can see those places within seconds after exiting I-5.

A less-visible lunch alternative after a foodless flight is to stay on the airport exit road, continuing under US 205 eastward toward a commercial strip with hotels, motels, and restaurants. After eating, drive back (westward) on that same strip to its connection with US 205.

[tandfman]

It's probably a little shorter to take I-84 West from the airport and connect to I-5 in Portland.

Unless there's been major highway construction since I lived there, the I-84 advice has the same problem as I-5 advice for a traveler new to Portland airport: That traveler in a rental auto should be told that the highway at airport exit is I-205 which must be traveled enroute to connections with I-84 and/or I-5.

I think you're right--you do have to be on I-205 briefly to get to I-84. I could be wrong, but I seem to recall that there's signage to indicate that. But in any event, the major car rental places always have local maps available if you ask for them, and the connection to I-84 is pretty clear.