Origin
The Dalles, OR
Afternoon in The Dalles on Friday
Local time
12:12 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from The Dalles, OR to Hillsboro, OR
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
101.9 mi
164 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
The Dalles, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Hillsboro, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The Dalles, OR to Hillsboro, OR is 101.9 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Columbia River Highway and Banfield Freeway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, staying within Oregon. Expect a route that requires your attention, featuring numerous turns rather than long stretches of straight highway. It's a manageable distance for a single-day trip, making it ideal for a focused journey or a flexible excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51 miles from The Dalles, 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 13m. Total distance: 101.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you’ll be actively navigating for much of the 101.9 miles. With only 14% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on local roads, including a significant 73.9-mile stretch on the Columbia River Highway. The Banfield Freeway and Northeast Cornell Road also contribute to the varied road surfaces you'll encounter. Be prepared for a driving experience that demands engagement due to the frequent changes in direction.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Columbia River Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 73.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 82.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 101.9 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 82.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.4 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
82.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
8
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Beaverton, Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, Salem
7
85.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 26
Take the exit onto US 26 toward US 26 West: Beaverton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward US 26 West: Beaverton
8
93.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward Cornell Road, Bethany Boulevard
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 65
Toward Cornell Road, Bethany Boulevard
7
93.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between The Dalles, OR and Hillsboro, OR, road signs point toward Portland, Omsi, City Center and Salem.
Portland
76.1 mi in
|
~1h 29m
|
via I 84; US 30
Omsi
82.9 mi in
|
~1h 39m
City Center
82.9 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Salem
83.2 mi in
|
~1h 39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Highway | 73.9 mi | 1h 25m |
| Banfield Freeway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Northeast Cornell Road | 5.8 mi | 12m |
| US 26 | 5 mi | 7m |
| Northwest Sunset Highway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Northwest Cornell Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East 2nd Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| I 5 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between The Dalles, OR and Hillsboro, OR.
1
Start on this road
118 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto G Street
150 ft
·
11 sec
·
G Street
3
Turn left onto East 10th Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East 10th Street
4
Turn right onto Kelly Avenue
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Kelly Avenue
5
Continue on East 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 7th Street
6
Continue on Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Washington Street
7
Turn left onto US 30
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
8
Turn slight left
328 ft
·
5 sec
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
10
Merge onto I 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
Columbia River Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 84; US 30
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Banfield Freeway
Toward Portland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem, OMSI, City Center
13
Keep slight left at fork
261 ft
·
4 sec
Toward I 5 South: Beaverton, Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 5
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
15
Take the exit onto Stadium Freeway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Stadium Freeway
Toward I 405, US 26: Beaverton
16
Merge onto I 405
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Stadium Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 26
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 26
Exit 1D
Toward US 26 West: Beaverton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 26
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 65
Toward Cornell Road, Bethany Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
202 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto Northwest Cornell Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Cornell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
5.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Northeast Cornell Road
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on Northeast Cornell Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Cornell Road
24
Turn slight right
229 ft
·
10 sec
25
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the right lane.
26
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
Arrive at destination
North 1st Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 13m duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 101.9-mile drive, starting earlier in the day is advisable to allow ample time for navigation and any unexpected delays. While this is a single-day trip, with a fuel cost estimated at $20, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 73.9 miles on the Columbia River Highway, so plan for your breaks before or after this segment. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the Columbia River Highway, the Banfield Freeway, and Northeast Cornell Road, as these mark significant changes in the driving environment.
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 51 miles from The Dalles, OR, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsboro, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving The Dalles, 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 The Dalles, OR
This is one driving day of about 101.9 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from The Dalles, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Columbia River Highway for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51 mi from The Dalles, OR · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51 miles from The Dalles, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Columbia River Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 miles.
Arriving in Hillsboro, OR
The final approach into Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, 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
$20.30 one way
$40.60 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $21.48 | $42.97 |
| premium | $5.59 | $22.43 | $44.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 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 | 30.6 | 0 | $10.70 | $4.89 |
| Efficient EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.92 | $4.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.27 | $6.52 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Hillsboro, OR
Afternoon in Hillsboro on Friday
Local time
12:12 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
27 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
2h 13m 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 The Dalles, OR to Hillsboro, OR covers 101.9 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Columbia River Highway, Banfield Freeway, Northeast Cornell Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51 miles from The Dalles, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.30 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 demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 101.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 82.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.4 miles (US 26): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between The Dalles, OR and Hillsboro, OR, road signs point toward Portland, Omsi, City Center and Salem.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Hillsboro, OR
More trips to Hillsboro, OR
Explore more options from The Dalles, OR or browse trips ending in Hillsboro, OR.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OR road trips.