Oregon Route 38
Oregon Route 38
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
51 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
11
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
MIKE B
Coos Bay, OR15 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Everything you read about this ride that is wonderful is true. One warning. Just before you go across Scottsburg bridge, the road is very narrow especially on the east side. Time your going into the corner when there are no big trucks, motorhomes or big trailers sharing it with you. The new bridge should be finished by the end of 2021. Stop at Dean Creek Elk Durelk season is when you see the most elk. Wonder why, Lol.
Written December 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wayne H
Madera, CA159 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
We take Hwy 38 every trip from California to our Lakehouse in Lakeside Oregon. Hwy 38 is a great route from Interstate 5 to Highway 101. It’s scenic running along the Umpqua river and through the pines an small towns. Elkton is a nice little town that has some great wine if you get a chance to stop at the tasting room. Say go Elks as you pass through. About 8 miles East of Reedsport is the Dean Elk viewing area and it’s free and also a good place for a potty break. Reedsport is the west end of 38 and has some great food. See my other posts for dining spots.
Written April 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ted L
Eugene, OR41 contributions
Jan 2022
Take your time and enjoy the views along the Umpqua River. We usually stop in Elkton for breakfast or lunch at Arlene's depending on time of day. There is an Education Center managed by volunteers of Elkton which has some interesting plants on the west side of town along the highway.
Written January 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cynthia K
Westville, IN3,001 contributions
Aug 2021
I had to really talk him into this! We were on our way to the coast & I suggested this route. Mainly because it's marked scenic on the atlas.
It starts off as average, but the further West you drive, the better it gets. The river is there along side the Hwy. It's great!
He did say I was right. ;)
It starts off as average, but the further West you drive, the better it gets. The river is there along side the Hwy. It's great!
He did say I was right. ;)
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom H
Reedsport, OR5 contributions
Apr 2017
Highway 38 is without doubt THE most beautiful drive from the interior valleys to the Oregon coast. By far the easiest to navigate, with numerous passing lanes and the flatest ,lowest elevation to the coast as well. I have been driving this Highway for almost fifty years and I never tire of it. Do yourself a favor, avoid 126 to the coast. Terrible road, limited passing lanes. No comparison IMO. If you are stuck behind an RV on 126 you are likely behind that RV for 50 miles, I kid you not
Written April 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
brendi934
Grants Pass, OR182 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
This is a beautiful coast route and seems like the best one off I-5 I've ever been on and I was born and raised in Oregon. Elkton has a couple of great restaurants (Arlene's) along the way and Tyee Landing restaurant is also VERY good! There's a butterfly sanctuary you can tour along the way and the elk viewing area right before Reedsport is awesome if the elk are out!! Just be sure and slow down to the required 25mph in the old downtown Reedsport. The police are notorious for handing out tickets right and left anywhere in Reedsport. Have been for YEARS!! If you go the posted speed limit, you are ok tho!! lol Also goes along the Umpqua River right before Reedsport and is just simple a beautiful and one of the straightest if not the straightest to the coast in Oregon. ENJOY!!
Written July 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dr. Tim
Marana, AZ5,139 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Hwy 38 also known as the Umpqua Highway runs from I5 just south of Curtain near Anlauf ending at Reedsport. It is about 60 miles from I5 to the coast and is a very easy hour and twenty minutes even in my 40 foot Motorcoach. The road follows the Umpqua River so is very scenic as it meanders through some small towns which offer mom and pop stores and restaurants. This is my preferred route from the Willamette Valley to the coast as it is not very curvy nor steep and has nice wide lanes with plenty of passing lanes.
Written October 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lisa k
47 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We were headed from Crater Lake to the coast and took 138 and 38 to get there. Cell service was on and off and we were looking for a paper map of OR. We stopped in at a camp store and they gave us the waterfall/hiking list as a consolation prize. We didn't stop at all of them, but the 5 we did see were great. The trails were easy to follow. There were some hills, some steps and a few hurdling over fallen trees but my 54yr old self got to the end and back. Well worth it, even if you only pick the ones that are 1/2 mi. or less.
Written June 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Susan E
Bedford, IN317 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This scenic route is full of natural beauty that is not to be missed. Wildlife includes elk herds in fields, soaring bald eagles, and, in fall, salmon in the Umpqua River. Route 38 is mostly a two lane road but traffic is not heavy & there are passing lanes.
Written July 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MountainFriendsPhoto
Portland, OR134 contributions
May 2019 • Business
The BIG STORM last Fall really did a number on the Highway 38 trees, but the loggers are doing their work and it's much better now. Lovely emerald colors for the entire trip. Don't miss Loon Lake!
Written May 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
magsiesie
Concord, CA14 contributions
We are driving from Portland Oregon back to the east Bay Area (Concord) on interstate 5 and want to split up the trip with a night at the coast can anyone recommend a loop routethat would work for us
magsiesie
Concord, CA14 contributions
How long does it take to drive from interstate 5 heading south from Portland to the coast at reedsport
Warren G W
Rainier, OR1,654 contributions
From the off-ramp from I 5 to OR 38 to Reedsport can take from 2 to 3 hours (or more), depending on how often you stop to see the sights.
Carol G
1 contribution
Is there a best western hotel on this road?
Warren G W
Rainier, OR1,654 contributions
No, but there are several in the Eugene area along I-5, and the BW Salbasgeon Inn in Reedsport, at the coast end of 38.
Cindy G
2 contributions
where is this waterfall/hiking list talked about 3 weeks ago?
lisa k
47 contributions
We were headed from Crater Lake Oregon to the Oregon coast. We took Routes 38/138 and the falls were all along this route. We were given a map of the falls at a local campground. It is in the Umpqua Forrest area if I recall.
