Origin
Salem, OR
Afternoon in Salem on Sunday
Local time
4:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salem, OR to Coos Bay, OR
Drive Time
4h
Distance
167.2 mi
269 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salem, OR
Banx Photography
Coos Bay, OR
Alex Blokstra
Trip Overview
Spanning 167.2 miles between Salem and Coos Bay, this journey takes approximately 4 hours to complete. You will navigate a combination of I-5, Highway 126, and the Oregon Coast Highway to reach your destination. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to arrive in Coos Bay by the afternoon. Budgeting around $33 for fuel should keep your tank covered for the duration of the drive. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in climate or geography, but the transition from the Willamette Valley toward the coast provides a steady change of pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
83.6 miles from Salem, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving profile that transitions from faster interstate stretches to more localized travel. Highway 126 and the Oregon Coast Highway make up the bulk of your journey, with highway travel accounting for 53% of the total distance. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.5 miles while navigating the Oregon Coast Highway, where the road rhythm stays consistent. While parts of the route offer higher speeds on I-5, the inland-to-coastal transition keeps the drive engaging without becoming monotonous. Prepare for a varied experience behind the wheel as you move off the main interstate and onto regional thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Oregon Coast Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 5; OR 99E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast
Turn right onto OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
3.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 5; OR 99E
Take the exit onto I 5; OR 99E toward I 5 South: Eugene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 5 South: Eugene
5
40.5 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward OR 228: Halsey, Brownsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward OR 228: Halsey, Brownsville
5
166.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
|
North 4th Street
Turn left onto North 4th Street
Navigation decision point
5
167.1 mi into trip
|
~4h in
|
Bennett Avenue
Turn right onto Bennett Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Salem, OR to Coos Bay, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
Brownsville
40.5 mi in
|
~50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Coast Highway | 43.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| Highway 126 | 42.9 mi | 59m |
| I 5 | 37.2 mi | 43m |
| Albany-Junction City Highway | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| Territorial Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Suttle Road | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Highway 99E | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Highway 36 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Oregon Coast Highway
— 43.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, OR and Coos Bay, OR.
1
Start on High Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
High Street Northeast
2
Continue on High Street Southeast
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
High Street Southeast
3
Turn left onto OR 22; OR 99E Bus
446 ft
·
14 sec
·
Trade Street Southeast
4
Continue on OR 22; OR 99E Bus
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Pringle Parkway Southeast
5
Continue on OR 22; OR 99E Bus
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Bellevue Street Southeast
6
Turn right onto OR 22; OR 99E Bus
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
12th Street Southeast
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on OR 22; OR 99E Bus
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Santiam Highway
8
Take the exit onto I 5; OR 99E
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 5; OR 99E
Exit 1A
Toward I 5 South: Eugene
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward OR 228: Halsey, Brownsville
10
Turn right onto OR 228
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Halsey-Sweet Home Highway
11
Turn left onto OR 99E
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
12
Continue on OR 99E
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Albany-Junction City Highway
13
Continue on OR 99E
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South 3rd Street
14
Continue on OR 99E
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 99E
15
Continue on OR 99
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Ivy Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on OR 99
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 99S
17
Turn right onto OR 36
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 36
18
Continue on OR 36
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
Mapleton-Junction City Highway
19
Continue on OR 36
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 36
20
Turn left onto Applegate Trail
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Applegate Trail
21
At end of road, turn left onto Territorial Road
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Territorial Road
22
Continue on Territorial Highway
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Territorial Highway
23
Turn right onto Suttle Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Suttle Road
24
At end of road, turn right onto OR 126
28 mi
·
39 min
·
Highway 126
25
Turn left onto OR 126
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Highway 126
26
Merge onto US 101
22 mi
·
33 min
·
Oregon Coast Highway
27
Continue on US 101
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Winchester Avenue
28
Continue on US 101
21 mi
·
30 min
·
Oregon Coast Highway
29
Continue on US 101
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Sherman Avenue
30
Continue on US 101
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Oregon Coast Highway
31
Continue on US 101
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Tremont Avenue
32
Continue on US 101
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Bayshore Drive
33
Continue on US 101
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
34
Turn right onto Market Avenue
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Market Avenue
35
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
North 4th Street
36
Turn right onto Bennett Avenue
479 ft
·
16 sec
·
Bennett Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
Bennett Avenue
Trip Plan
For a smooth experience, aim to depart Salem early in the morning to maximize your time in Coos Bay. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself according to your personal comfort. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when transitioning between major highways, as the $33 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Since this is a manageable 4-hour trek, you don't need to worry about overnight splits, giving you the freedom to handle the distance in one go. A helpful tip is to account for the specific needs of the 43.5-mile stretch on the Oregon Coast Highway, ensuring you are rested before tackling that longer segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.6 miles from Salem, OR, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 80 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coos Bay, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, OR
This is one driving day of about 167.2 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salem, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Oregon Coast Highway for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.6 mi from Salem, OR · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.6 miles from Salem, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Coos Bay, OR
The final approach into Coos Bay, 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 Coos Bay, OR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.28 one way
$66.55 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $35.14 | $70.28 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.78 | $73.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.15 | $74.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.56 | $8.03 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.41 | $10.70 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Coos Bay, OR
Afternoon in Coos Bay on Sunday
Local time
4:10 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
56°F
Junction City, OR
84 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
17 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
4h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Salem, OR to Coos Bay, OR covers 167.2 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Oregon Coast Highway, Highway 126, I 5. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.6 miles from Salem, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 5; OR 99E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Salem, OR to Coos Bay, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
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