Origin
Lincoln City, OR
Late night in Lincoln City on Friday
Local time
5:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
104.3 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln City, OR
Anton Ivanov
Gresham, OR
Wikimedia Commons
This 104.3-mile journey from Lincoln City to Gresham, Oregon, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of local roads and interstate, with about 14% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this trip offers a straightforward way to transition from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the same region. The route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting a more engaging and less predictable experience than a pure interstate cruise. It's a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Lincoln City, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 104.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a driving experience that is more about navigating local roads than cruising on the interstate. Only 14% of this 104.3-mile route is on highways, meaning you'll encounter numerous turns and changes in speed. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 43.4 miles along Salmon River Highway, offering a solid segment of consistent driving before you transition to other routes. This 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates a need for attention to navigation, as you'll be frequently adjusting your course. The overall feel is likely one of engaging with the landscape through its local thoroughfares.
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 81.2 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 104.3 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 81.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 5: Portland, Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 toward Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport, The Dalles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Fairview Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lincoln City, OR and Gresham, OR, road signs point toward Salem, Seattle, Portland Airport and The Dalles.
Salem
Seattle
Portland Airport
The Dalles
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon River Highway | 43.4 mi | 1h |
| Southwest Pacific Highway | 12.1 mi | 21m |
| I 5 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Banfield Freeway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Columbia River Highway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Pacific Highway West | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Newberg-Dundee Bypass | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Southeast Dayton Bypass | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln City, OR and Gresham, OR.
Start on Southwest Fleet Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 101
Turn right onto Northeast 14th Street
Continue on Northeast West Devils Lake Road
Turn right onto US 101
Take the exit
Continue on OR 18
Keep slight left at fork onto OR 18
Take the exit onto OR 18
Continue on OR 18
Continue on OR 18
Merge onto OR 99W; OR 18
Turn left onto OR 18
At end of road, turn left onto OR 219
Turn right onto South Springbrook Road
Turn right onto OR 99W
Continue on OR 99W
Continue on OR 99W
Take the exit
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 84; US 30
Continue on I 84; US 30
Take the exit
Turn right onto Northeast Fairview Parkway
Turn left onto Northeast Glisan Street
Turn right onto Northeast 223rd Avenue
Turn slight left
Turn left onto Northwest Fairview Drive
Continue on North Main Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest 1st Street
Turn left
Arrive at destination
For this 2-hour and 38-minute drive covering 104.3 miles, flexibility is your advantage since it's easily completed in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to make the most of daylight and allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. While only one official stop is indicated, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you might want to build in short breaks to stretch your legs and reorient yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $21 estimated cost suggests a moderate expenditure, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before longer stretches like the 43.4 miles on Salmon River Highway.
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.
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 23 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gresham, OR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lincoln City, 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 Lincoln City, OR
This is one driving day of about 104.3 miles and 2h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.2 mi from Lincoln City, OR · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from Lincoln City, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Gresham, OR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gresham, OR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.78 one way
$41.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $21.99 | $43.98 |
| premium | $5.59 | $22.96 | $45.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.03 | $46.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.68 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Lincoln City on Friday
Local time
5:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Gresham on Friday
Local time
5:24 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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