This 101-mile drive from Brownsville, OR to Gresham, OR will take you approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes of pure driving time. Primarily on I-5 and I-205, with a final stretch on Southeast Foster Road, this route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey. It's easily manageable as a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for a quick transit between these Pacific Coast locations. With an estimated fuel cost of around $20, it's an economical choice for getting where you need to go. Expect a drive that prioritizes efficiency over extensive sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.5 miles from Brownsville, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 101 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
You'll find this drive to be 87% highway, meaning it's largely a fast-paced experience. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 71.4 miles on I-5, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While the majority is on major interstates, the transition to Southeast Foster Road in Gresham will offer a slight change in pace, bringing you into a more urban setting. This route prioritizes covering distance efficiently, with minimal deviations from major roadways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near OR 228 / West Bishop Way.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (OR 228 / West Bishop Way): Navigation decision point; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~0m in|OR 228 / West Bishop Way
At end of road, turn right onto OR 228 / West Bishop Way
Navigation decision point
7
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
93 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|Southeast Woodstock Boulevard
Turn right onto Southeast Woodstock Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
98.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 26 / Southeast Powell Boulevard
Turn right onto US 26 / Southeast Powell Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
71.4 mi
1h 23m
I 205
16.4 mi
21m
Southeast Foster Road
3.3 mi
7m
Halsey-Sweet Home Highway
3.2 mi
4m
West Powell Boulevard
2.7 mi
6m
Southeast Jenne Road
0.9 mi
2m
Southeast 174th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 71.4 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brownsville, OR and Gresham, OR.
1
Start on Park Avenue
100 ft·6 sec·Park Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·North Main Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto OR 228
0.4 mi·39 sec·West Bishop Way
4
Continue on OR 228
3.2 mi·4 min·Halsey-Sweet Home Highway
5
Continue on OR 228
0.2 mi·16 sec·Highway 228
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·26 sec
7
Merge onto I 5
71 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 5
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
Given its short duration, this 2-hour, 10-minute drive offers plenty of flexibility. Consider leaving Brownsville in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic closer to Gresham. Since there are no specific stops recommended, plan for any necessary breaks around the halfway point or when you feel the need. The fuel cost is estimated at $20, so ensure you start with a full tank. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from I-205 to Southeast Foster Road, as this is where the character of the drive changes most noticeably.
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 50.5 miles from Brownsville, OR, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.4 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.5 miles or 1h 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 39m
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 Brownsville, 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 Brownsville, OR
This is one driving day of about 101 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Brownsville, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 71.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.5 mi from Brownsville, OR
· 1h into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.3
0
$10.60
$4.85
Efficient EV
25.3
0
$8.84
$4.04
EV Truck/SUV
40.4
0
$14.14
$6.46
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Brownsville, OR
Night
in Brownsville on Thursday
Local time
9:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gresham, OR
Night
in Gresham on Thursday
Local time
9:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
41°F
Oak Grove, OR
51 mi in
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
14 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
2h 10m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brownsville, OR to Gresham, OR covers 101 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 205, Southeast Foster Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.5 miles from Brownsville, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.12 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (OR 228 / West Bishop Way): Navigation decision point; at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Brownsville, OR to Gresham, OR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
