Community Forums

OpaRon · 05-14-2009, 08:56 AM

We've done the I-5 and I-84 routes and we're bored! (We're almost always bored on Interstates.) How is US 20 across Oregon? It looks VERY lonely in the western part and pretty "wriggley" in the mountains. We want to stop in Bend for a few days, which seems to be in our "only 200 miles/day" mode of travel. I'd appreciate anyone with experience on this route. We travel in a 40' motor home and tow a 4Runner.

Chickadee · 05-15-2009, 05:35 AM

OpaRon:

G'morning from Tampa!! We drove Rt. 20 from Ontario TO Bend, OR a number of yrs. ago and found it to be a very pleasant drive. Don't recall any particularly exciting scenery until we were approaching Bend from the East through the high desert which was very beautiful. Sure don't recollect ANY extratordinary twists and turns (ie., "wiggley") anywhere throughout the two lane paved roadway. We certainly wouldn't hesitate to take that route again. Hope others who have driven Rt. 20 more recently will drop a line. Steve & Lynette

Ding-a-ling · 05-15-2009, 07:17 AM

Just after Labor Day 2007 we travelled from Bend to Ontario, OR. Found it to be a very pleasant drive. Yes, the road is not straight all the time - there are curves - but that is where some of the better scenery is. Only two very moderate grades, Stinkingwater Pass and Drinkwater Pass, neither of which I would call "mountainous."

20 and 22 between Bend and Salem were also very nice. Much different scenery than the eastern part of 20 since they go through the Cascades. No real grades, just lots of curves and trees.

I love the Oregon scenery.

OpaRon · 05-15-2009, 08:05 AM

Thanks to Chickadee and Ding-a-ling! As I looked at the route on a google map (terrain and satellite views) I just wondered if the switchbacks I saw indicated too steep a grade for easy driving. I'm not really afraid of steep grades. I've done the Chief Joseph and Beartooth highways in Montana and Wyoming, but had never been in that part of Oregon. Appreciate your sharing of your experiences! I always trust the responses I get on iRV2.com.

CD · 05-15-2009, 08:16 AM

OpaRon
If you plan on going on to Newberg from Bend , I would reccomend taking 22 to Salem. As I remember 20 to Albany has a 7/8% grade about 10mi long that we saw a MH stopped part way down with smoke rolling off all 4 brakes.

Cousin Ed · 05-15-2009, 03:18 PM

Every year we cross Oregon and went that way in '07. A lot of desert, with some grades but nothing bad. We did it our 38' gasser. We did Beartooth with the toad. That would be to intense for me to enjoy with the MH, but 20 was fine. Did 26 last year. It has more grades but was also nice.