U.S. Route 101 in Oregon

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This page discusses the route of U.S. Route 101 through the state of Oregon.

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U.S. Route 101 is a major north-south United States highway that runs through the state of Oregon (among other states). In Oregon, it runs from the Oregon-California border, south of Brookings, to the Oregon-Washington border on the Columbia River, between Astoria, Oregon and Megler, Washington.

U.S. 101 is known in Oregon as the Oregon Coast Highway, which is Highway 9, as it serves the Oregon Coast region. Much of the highway runs between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Range, thus U.S. 101 is frequently mountainous in character. For most of its length it is a 2-lane undivided highway. Many parts of the highway are subject to closure due to landslides caused by excessive rainfall, and in many parts of the coast, U.S. 101 is the only viable route connecting certain coastal communities. Thus, in many cases when landslides block U.S. 101, the detour requires travelling inland to Interstate 5 and then back again.

U.S. 101 is often the main street through many coastal towns in Oregon, which can cause significant traffic delays. This is especially true in the city of Lincoln City, owing to a combination of geography and the fact that the city is a particularly popular tourist destination.

U.S. Route 101 along the Oregon coast

1 Description
2 Cities passed through
3 Intersections with other highways
4 External links

[edit] Description

This section describes the route of U.S. 101 through Oregon in detail:

[edit] Brookings to Coos Bay

The run of U.S. 101 in Oregon (running from south to north) start at the border between Oregon and California, south of the cities of Brookings and Harbor (and north of Crescent City, California). The highway is mostly a two-lane road, running along the Southern Oregon coastline. This part of the coast is difficult to access via roadway (other than 101) due to the lack of roadways built through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, just east of the highway. Other coastal towns in this stretch of U.S. 101 include Pistol River, Gold Beach, Wedderburn, and Port Orford. North of Port Orford is the Cape Blanco region, and the westernmost point in the U.S. Highway system. After passing through Sixes, Denmark, and Langlois, U.S. 101 enters the resort town of Bandon on the mouth of the Coquille River.

North of Bandon, U.S. 101 heads inland for a while, while a spur route provides access to the Charleston Peninsula. Approaching the city of Coos Bay, U.S. 101 becomes an expressway after an interchange with Oregon Highway 42, then soon enters the downtown core. It continues through Coos Bay (the city) along the western edge of Coos Bay (the bay), soon entering the city of North Bend. North of North Bend, it crosses over the mouth of the bay on the Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge, followed by a second bridge over Haynes Inlet.

[edit] Coos Bay to Lincoln City

101 near Yachats

North of Coos Bay, the highway runs along the eastern flank of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, through the communities of Hauser, Lakeside, and Winchester Bay before coming into the city of Reedsport on the mouth of the Umpqua River. The highway continues north from there, passing through the dunes and through the towns of Gardiner, Westlake, Dunes City, and Glenada. The next major town is Florence on the Siuslaw River.

The next stretch of U.S. 101 (between Florence and Newport) closely follows the coastline, providing a wide view of the ocean. Towns between these two cities include Yachats, Waldport, and Seal Rock. Eventually, the highway crosses the Yaquina Bay Bridge into Newport. Just before the bridge lies the Oregon Coast Aquarium; on the other side of the bridge is the famed Newport waterfront.

The next stretch of 101, between Newport and Lincoln City, is rather mountainous, as the Coast Range protrudes into the ocean. Cities on the route include Depoe Bay, Otter Rock (accessible via a side road), and the Gleneden Beach/Salishan area, famed for its resorts. Near Siletz Bay is the abandoned community of Kernville, followed by Lincoln City.

[edit] Lincoln City to Astoria

The stretch of U.S. 101 through Lincoln City is infamous for its clogged traffic; the city is over seven miles long (but only a few blocks wide in spots), and is sandwiched between the ocean on the west, and Devils Lake and mountains to the east. In many parts of town, the highway is a two-lane road. Adding to the traffic is a casino in the northern part of town. Much of the traffic departs U.S. 101 north of Lincoln City, at an interchange with Oregon Highway 18.

North of Lincoln City is the town of Neskowin and the Nestucca Bay area. A side road, the Three Capes Scenic Route, provides access to the seaside towns of Pacific City, and Sandlake, goes over Cape Lookout and on to Netarts, Oceanside and Cape Meares before meeting 101 again at Tillamook. 101 instead heads inland, passing through the towns of Cloverdale, Hebo, Beaver and Hemlock. The next major town is the city of Tillamook.

North of Tillamook, the highway passes on the eastern shore of Tillamook Bay, through towns such as Bay City and Garibaldi, before reuniting with the ocean. It then continues north along the Pacific through towns such as Rockaway Beach and Manhattan Beach; the next major towns are Nehalem and Manzanita, both on Nehalem Bay. The highway the continues north along the coastline through rugged terrain until it reaches the city of Cannon Beach. Unlike most coastal cities in Oregon, a bypass (in two-lane freeway configuration) was built around Cannon Beach; U.S. 101 follows the bypass alignment. A few miles north of Cannon Beach is an interchange with U.S. Highway 26, followed by the city of Seaside. (Until recently, U.S. 26 continued north towards Astoria, sharing an alignment with U.S. 101; however ODOT truncated U.S. 26 to its current terminus at the interchange with 101 several years ago.)

US-101 through downtown Seaside

North of Seaside, U.S. 101 follows the coastal plain through cities such as Gearhart; a spur route (Oregon Route 104) provides access to Fort Stevens State Park. U.S. 101 soon enters the city of Warrenton, Oregon (where a business route provides access) and then crosses Youngs Bay into Astoria, Oregon. 101 passes through the northwestern edge of Astoria, until an intersection with U.S. Highway 30. At this intersection, 101 climbs a 360-degree access road onto the Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River, and crosses into the state of Washington.