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  • Attractions
    • women dances with large fans outside on a city street surrounded by people in colorful dragon costumesView All Attractions
    • Museums
    • Parks & Gardens
    • Family Friendly
    • Shopping
    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • people dining at picnic tables in front of a food cartView All Culture
    • Arts
    • Beer
    • Biking
    • Cannabis
    • Cultural Communities
    • Craft Spirits
    • Food
    • Makers
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Outdoors
    • Sports
    • Weird
    • Wine
    • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
    • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
    • Alberta Arts District
    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
    • Division/Clinton
    • Downtown
    • Hawthorne
    • Lloyd
    • Mississippi
    • Northwest / Nob Hill
    • Old Town Chinatown
    • Pearl District
    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
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    • Near the City
    • Columbia River Gorge
    • Mount Hood
    • Oregon Coast
    • Willamette Valley
    • ALL REGIONS
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    • Portland Maps
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    • Accessible Portland
    • Portland Weather
    • COVID-19 FAQ
    • Safety in Portland
    • Plan a Meeting
  • Events
  • Search
two people next to an orange truck with a canoe strapped to the top two people next to an orange truck with a canoe strapped to the top
i
You can’t drive a boat on Portland streets, but a car with a boat is just fine.
Plan / Transportation

Driving in Portland

Follow these tips to cruise around Portland with ease.

Updated Aug. 25, 2022 3 min read

Major Portland Freeways

Downtown Portland is ringed by Interstate 5, the main north-south route from Canada to Mexico, and Interstate 405, a loop that encircles downtown and the Pearl District.

Interstate 84 originates at I-5 on Portland’s inner east side and continues east to Portland International Airport (accessible via the connecting Interstate 205), the Columbia River Gorge and on to Idaho and Utah. I-84 in Portland is also known as the Banfield Expressway, or just “the Banfield.”

While Portland prides itself on being a city that’s easy to get around without a car, these tips will help you tour the city in four-wheeled fashion.

Running west to the coast and east to Mount Hood is U.S. Route 26. The westbound stretch is also known as the Sunset Highway and leads to Beaverton, Hillsboro and Forest Grove. Eastbound Highway 26 is d\ubbed the Mount Hood Highway. Mount Hood is about 55 miles from downtown Portland; the highway continues east to Nebraska.

Oregon Traffic Laws

Speed Limits

If not otherwise marked, the speed limit is 20 mph in business districts and 25 mph in residential districts. Speed limits vary on highways but are usually 55 mph or under within Portland city limits.

Turns

Left and right turns onto one-way roads are permitted even with a red light, provided you first stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians.

Cell Phone Use

Using a cell phone while driving is only allowed for adults using hands-free accessories. People under 18 are not allowed to use any mobile communication device while driving; this includes texting or talking on a cell phone, even with a hands-free accessory. Talking or texting without a hands-free accessory is illegal for individuals of any age.

Where to Go

Places outside of town you can get to by car

In the Region
rugged coastline and a sandy beach on a sunny day

Oregon Coast

From the historic city of Astoria to the tide pools of Yachats, the Oregon Coast is a rugged, unspoiled treasure that begins 90 minutes from Portland.

view from the sky of the vista house and columbia river gorge

Columbia River Gorge

Starting just 30 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers amazing vistas, trails and more than 90 waterfalls.

Skyline view of a mountain with snow beyond large pine trees.

Mount Hood

Mount Hood offers scenic recreation ranging from camping, hiking and fishing to nearly year-round skiing.

Driving in the Central City

One-Way & Limited-Turn Streets

When driving in downtown and the Pearl District, you’ll notice the abundance of one-way streets. Watch the signs, and know that the one-way streets generally alternate directions.

West Burnside Street carries two-way traffic, but left turns are not generally permitted. If you need to get to the left of Burnside, plan to take two rights to get on the cross street going the desired direction.

Transit Mall

In downtown, buses, trains, cars and bikes all share the road on the Portland Transit Mall, which encompasses two one-way streets (Fifth Avenue running south, where most right turns are not permitted, and Sixth Avenue running north, where most left turns are not permitted).

Alternatives to the bus mall include Second and Fourth avenues (southbound) and Third Avenue and Broadway (northbound).

Sharing the Road

Portland’s many bike lanes, moderate climate and gentle slopes all add up to a lot of bicyclists on the roads.

While sharing the road with cyclists is usually just a matter of common sense and attention to signs, here are some tips to help smooth the way:

  • Always watch for bikes. On streets without bike lanes, or when making left turns, cyclists may mix with cars in the main traffic lanes.
  • Yield to bikes at intersections with green “bike boxes.” Portland has 15 such intersections, designed to prevent collisions between cyclists using bike lanes and motorists making right turns. When the light is red, drivers must stop at the white line bordering the green box, which is reserved for bicyclists. It is not legal to turn right on a red light at these intersections. When preparing to turn right on a green light, motorists should yield to oncoming cyclists in the bike lane.
  • Be aware that the city is testing two other alternatives to traditional bike lanes downtown: the Portland State University Cycle Track demonstration project on Southwest Broadway from Clay to Jackson; and buffered bike lanes on Southwest Oak between Naito Parkway and Ninth Avenue and Southwest Harvey Milk Street between Naito and 13th. These roadways are clearly marked.
Plan, Transportation

Getting Around

More transportation options
Illustrated map of Portland, Ore., that includes important points of interest such as the Moda Center, Oregon Convention Center and more.

Portland Maps

Use these Portland maps to plan and create your own city experience. This guide provides everything from Portland city and region maps to guided tours, neighborhood information and more.

the exterior of a large urban shopping mall with vehicles and a light rail train out front

Parking in Portland

From city-run parking garages to private lots to an app for on-street parking, Portland offers reliable options for parking during your visit.

Portland Chinatown Museum

Car- and Ride-Sharing

Car- and ride-sharing services in Portland make it easier than ever to get around the city without bringing your own vehicle.

views of bright green fields and farmland makes up the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Route

Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route

A 50-mile drive through Washington County, this road caroms from historic site to scenic vista.

man sits facing Fremont Bridge next to pink roses in front of a big grassy field

Biking

One of the best ways to explore the Rose City is on two wheels.

sunset catches a large snow-capped peak that towers behind an expansive city landscape

Tours & Itineraries

Let local experts — and our targeted itineraries — offer inspiration for your time in and around Portland.

person on e-scooter passes mural reading Long Live the Wildcards, Misfits & Dabblers

Electric Scooters (E-Scooters) in Portland

E-scooter sharing lets users rent vehicles via an app for one-way trips. Before boarding, check out our dos and don’ts for riding e-scooters in Portland.

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Visitor Information

visitorinfo@travelportland.com
1-888-503-3291 (toll free)
503-427-1372
Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Portland Visitor Center

1132 SW Harvey Milk St #104,
Portland, OR 97205

Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

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