Origin
The Dalles, OR
Afternoon in The Dalles on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from The Dalles, OR to Albany, OR
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
152.9 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
The Dalles, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Albany, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from The Dalles, OR to Albany, OR covers 152.9 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Columbia River Highway, I 5, Banfield Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.9 miles on Columbia River Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
76.4 miles from The Dalles, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from The Dalles, OR to Albany, OR covers 152.9 miles and takes about 3h 7m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 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?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near G Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.9 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (G Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Kelly Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 84 / Columbia River Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
G Street
Turn left onto G Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Kelly Avenue
Turn right onto Kelly Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 84 / Columbia River Highway
Merge onto I 84 / Columbia River Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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
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 Albany, 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 |
| I 5 | 67 mi | 1h 21m |
| Banfield Freeway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Salem Avenue Southeast | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| East 2nd Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue East | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| OR 99E | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 7th Street | 0.2 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 Albany, 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
67 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto OR 99E
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
OR 99E
Toward OR 99E: Albany
16
Turn right onto Albany Avenue
508 ft
·
19 sec
·
Albany Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto Salem Avenue Southeast
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Salem Avenue Southeast
18
Enter roundabout onto Main Street Southeast
15 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street Southeast
19
Continue on Main Street Southeast
491 ft
·
15 sec
·
Main Street Southeast
20
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue East
21
Turn left onto US 20
283 ft
·
14 sec
·
Ellsworth Street Southwest;Albany-Corvallis Highway
22
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southwest
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
2nd Avenue Southwest
23
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue Southwest
Trip Plan
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 76.4 miles from The Dalles, OR, or about 1h 30m 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.4 miles or 1h 30m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, 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 152.9 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from The Dalles, 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 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 76.4 mi from The Dalles, OR · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.4 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 Albany, OR
The final approach into Albany, 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 Albany, 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
$30.46 one way
$60.92 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $32.24 | $64.47 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.66 | $67.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.76 | $67.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.41 | $9.79 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Albany, OR
Afternoon in Albany on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°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
24 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
3h 7m 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 Albany, OR covers 152.9 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Columbia River Highway, I 5, Banfield Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.4 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 $30.46 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.9 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (G Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Kelly Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 84 / Columbia River Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between The Dalles, OR and Albany, OR, road signs point toward Portland, Omsi, City Center and Salem.
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