Let’s face it. Some days just really suck. On those days, there is really nothing like a good road trip to clear your head and get you back on track. If you want to wander and get away from it all, there is no better place near Portland than to jump on the historic Columbia River Highway and cruise for awhile aimlessly to refocus.
Granger Meador / Flickr Located right outside of Portland, this historic highway runs for 70 miles from Troutdale or The Dalles.
KaCey97078 / Flickr In 2016, the highway turned 100 years old. Notable at America’s first scenic highway, the road is recognized today as a National Historical Landmark.
Scott McCracken / Flickr As far as scenery goes, this highway can’t be beat. Let your worries float away as you watch the several waterfalls you pass on the route.
Scott Smithson / Flickr Don’t pass up the beautiful vista views either. Pull over and take a minute to reflect on the incredible scenery in front of you.
opus2008 / Flickr If you chose to get away from it all on a weekday, you will like have the road all to yourself.
Kirt Edblom / Flickr The rock walls and bridges along the road were some of the highlights of the expansive freeway when it was built a century ago, and still are eye-catching today.
Kara Brugman / Flickr As far as roads go, this is definitely one that will allow you to escape from the city and whatever obstacle is in your way.
Sean Munson / Flickr The trip is beautiful year round, but spring and fall are especially beautiful when flowers are in bloom and trees are changing colors.
Ferrous Buller / Flickr If you don’t have a car, you can still get away from it all on the bike path, which stretches the entire span of the highway, including a couple sections that are bike-only through old sections of the highway that have since been rerouted.
Rob DeGraff / Flickr A sunset over the gorge is spectacular and the perfect cap to a lovely day getting away from the stresses of life. Hopefully, you can return to town with a greater sense of direction to tackle the obstacles in your way.
Have you driven on this road to nowhere from Portland? You may also enjoy this charming town near Portland that is perfect for a fall day trip.
Granger Meador / Flickr
Located right outside of Portland, this historic highway runs for 70 miles from Troutdale or The Dalles.
KaCey97078 / Flickr
In 2016, the highway turned 100 years old. Notable at America’s first scenic highway, the road is recognized today as a National Historical Landmark.
Scott McCracken / Flickr
As far as scenery goes, this highway can’t be beat. Let your worries float away as you watch the several waterfalls you pass on the route.
Scott Smithson / Flickr
Don’t pass up the beautiful vista views either. Pull over and take a minute to reflect on the incredible scenery in front of you.
opus2008 / Flickr
If you chose to get away from it all on a weekday, you will like have the road all to yourself.
Kirt Edblom / Flickr
The rock walls and bridges along the road were some of the highlights of the expansive freeway when it was built a century ago, and still are eye-catching today.
Kara Brugman / Flickr
As far as roads go, this is definitely one that will allow you to escape from the city and whatever obstacle is in your way.
Sean Munson / Flickr
The trip is beautiful year round, but spring and fall are especially beautiful when flowers are in bloom and trees are changing colors.
Ferrous Buller / Flickr
If you don’t have a car, you can still get away from it all on the bike path, which stretches the entire span of the highway, including a couple sections that are bike-only through old sections of the highway that have since been rerouted.
Rob DeGraff / Flickr
A sunset over the gorge is spectacular and the perfect cap to a lovely day getting away from the stresses of life. Hopefully, you can return to town with a greater sense of direction to tackle the obstacles in your way.
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