Origin
Molalla, OR
Evening in Molalla on Wednesday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Molalla, OR to Portland, OR
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
53m
Distance
30.7 mi
49 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Molalla, OR
Ahmad Shaufi
Trip Overview
This 30.7-mile journey from Molalla, OR to Portland, OR takes approximately 53 minutes to complete. It's a straightforward drive, perfect for a single-day trip, and won't break the bank with an estimated fuel cost of just $6. You'll primarily navigate via OR 213, the Milwaukie Expressway, and Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route offers a lot of flexibility for departure times and potential stops. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so expect a drive that transitions from a more rural feel to urban environments.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
15.4 miles from Molalla, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 59% of the route being on highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 13.9 miles on OR 213, which offers a consistent pacing for a significant portion of the trip. As you progress towards Portland, the character of the drive will naturally shift from more open roads to increasingly developed areas, incorporating urban expressways. Expect a blend of steady cruising and more stop-and-go conditions as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
OR 213 is the longest continuous segment at about 13.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in near OR 213.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 30.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 16.9 miles (OR 213): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles (OR 213): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
16.9 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
OR 213
Take the exit onto OR 213 toward I 205 North, OR 213 North: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 North, OR 213 North: Portland
8
19.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
OR 213
Take the exit onto OR 213 toward OR 213 North, OR 224: 82nd Avenue, Milwaukie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward OR 213 North, OR 224: 82nd Avenue, Milwa...
5
20.6 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Turn right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
20.6 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
OR 224 / Sunrise Expressway
Merge onto OR 224 / Sunrise Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
29.6 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
Morrison Bridge
Turn left onto Morrison Bridge
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Molalla, OR to Portland, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Milwaukie along the way.
Milwaukie
19.8 mi in
|
~30m
|
via OR 213
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| OR 213 | 13.9 mi | 21m |
| Milwaukie Expressway | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| Cascade Highway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| South Molalla Avenue | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Southeast Grand Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Morrison Bridge | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Southwest 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
OR 213
— 13.9 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Molalla, OR and Portland, OR.
1
Start on South Molalla Avenue
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
South Molalla Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto OR 213
10 mi
·
16 min
·
OR 213
3
Continue on OR 213
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Cascade Highway
4
Take the exit onto OR 213
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
OR 213
Toward I 205 North, OR 213 North: Portland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto OR 213
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
OR 213
Exit 13
Toward OR 213 North, OR 224: 82nd Avenue, Milwaukie
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward OR 224: Estacada, Milwaukie
7
Turn right
179 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto OR 224
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Sunrise Expressway
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on OR 224
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Milwaukie Expressway
10
Continue on OR 99E
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on OR 99E
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto Morrison Bridge
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Morrison Bridge
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on Southwest Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Southwest Washington Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto Southwest 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 4th Avenue
15
Continue on Northwest 4th Avenue
280 ft
·
17 sec
·
Northwest 4th Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northwest Couch Street
427 ft
·
25 sec
·
Northwest Couch Street
17
Turn left
110 ft
·
8 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just 53 minutes, this is an easy drive that doesn't require extensive planning for stops. Consider departing Molalla, OR in the late morning to avoid the earliest rush hour traffic heading into Portland. The estimated fuel cost of $6 means you likely won't need to worry about refueling mid-trip. Keep an eye out for the transition onto Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard, as this section can become quite busy closer to Portland. Enjoy the flexibility this short drive offers!
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 15.4 miles from Molalla, OR, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.9 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 30.7 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.4 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Portland, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Molalla, OR.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Molalla, OR
This is one driving day of about 30.7 miles and 53m.
At 30.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on OR 213 for about 13.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.4 mi from Molalla, OR · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.4 miles from Molalla, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Portland, OR
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Portland, OR if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.12 one way
$12.23 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
| premium | $5.59 | $6.76 | $13.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.69 | $1.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Portland, OR
Evening in Portland on Wednesday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
53m 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 Molalla, OR to Portland, OR covers 30.7 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are OR 213, Milwaukie Expressway, Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.4 miles from Molalla, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.12 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 30.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles (OR 213): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles (OR 213): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Molalla, OR to Portland, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Milwaukie along the way.
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