Getting to Cannon Beach

Highway 26 and US-101 connect Portland with the north Oregon coast.

Arrival map

Portland, Seattle, and Oregon Coast approaches

Portland usually reaches Cannon Beach by Highway 26 and US-101. Seattle drivers can use I-5, US-30, and US-101, while Seaside and Tillamook connect along the coast highway. The lines show regional corridors; check live directions and TripCheck before driving.

  • Tap a marker to see how each town fits the drive.
  • Solid line is the main approach; dashed lines are alternate regional approaches.
Open driving directions →
90 min
From Portland, OR
Via Highway 26 W to US-101 S
About 4 hr
From Seattle, WA
Via I-5 S, US-30 W, and US-101 S
About 15 min
From Seaside, OR
Via US-101 S

From Portland

Highway 26 West is the main corridor from Portland to the Oregon coast. It's a scenic drive through the Coast Range, and in normal traffic the route usually takes about 90 minutes from central Portland.

Once you reach US-101 at Seaside, turn south and continue another 10 miles to Cannon Beach. It makes an easy day trip, but the drive is scenic enough to justify building a longer coast loop around it.

From Seattle

Follow I-5 south to Longview, cross toward Oregon on US-30, and join US-101 south near Astoria. The drive is just under four hours in normal conditions; check Washington and Oregon road reports before departure.

The Oregon Coast Highway

US-101 links Cannon Beach with Astoria and Seaside to the north and Tillamook to the south. Northbound travelers can add the Columbia River estuary and Fort Stevens; southbound travelers continue past headlands and small coast towns toward Tillamook. Check TripCheck for current incidents and construction.

Parking in Cannon Beach

Parking demand is highest on summer weekends, holidays, and event dates. Review the City of Cannon Beach's current parking map before choosing a lot or street; rules and available spaces can change. Once parked near downtown, many Hemlock Street businesses and central beach access points are within walking distance.