is one of the most beautiful and underrated routes on the West Coast. With stunning mountains, rushing rivers, and expansive plains right outside your window, you don’t even have to leave your vehicle to be impressed!

We’ve put together a guide of a few unique places to stop between Boise and Portland—just in case you have some time to meander.

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Whether you prefer waterfalls or Wild West history, we’ve got you covered with the best places to stop between Boise and Portland.

Key trip details

Distance: 433 miles

Driving time: 7 hours and 14 minutes

Suggested length of trip: 2 to 5 days

Though you could make the trip with one long day of driving, we recommend you take your time and get the most out of every stop. You can also add time to any city on the way there or back.

Itinerary

Boise, ID—1 to 2 days

Baker City, OR—Half a day

La Grande, OR—Half a day

Boardman, OR—Half a day

Multnomah Falls, OR—Half a day

Portland, OR—1 to 2 days

Start—Boise, ID

Formerly known as a university town and agricultural center for

Idaho

, the city is now nationally recognized as a major art and industry hub.

Locals know how walkable the area is, both in the urban development areas and in the countryside. Boise is full of good food and boasts endless outdoor activities for nature lovers.

Where to stay in Boise

The Franklin House

: Situated in a colorful wooden building dating from 1896, this quirky "bed and beer" offers quiet comfort and a prime location. The backyard has been converted to a stellar beer garden for some extra rest and relaxation. Cost per night: from $104

Where to eat in Boise

FORK

($$): Sourcing their ingredients from local Boise and Northwest sources, FORK offers creative dishes and craft cocktails all in a vibrant, brick-&-wood space.

Txikiteo

($-$$): This spot serves Basque-style breakfast, lunch, and tapas in a cozy yet sleek space. We’d recommend the jamon sandwich, or the Spanish tortilla with romesco sauce for some delicious, authentic bites.

What to do in Boise

Julia Davis Park

: Start here to get some fresh air and clear your lungs! This beautiful park offers 89 acres of gorgeous, flat walking trails on the river, and it’s right smack in the middle of downtown. Parking is reserved for park patrons, so make sure to get a pass when you arrive.

The Boise Art Museum

($): This museum in the heart of downtown Boise offers well-curated exhibitions and a large variety of artwork. It stacks up to similar museums in other large cities and is definitely worth the visit.

Old Idaho Penitentiary

($): Once home to some of the most brazen criminals of the West during its day, this defunct prison will be especially interesting to any historical or crime buffs.

Stop in—Baker City, OR

128 miles, 2 hours

Only two hours from Boise, Baker City is a lovely

Oregon

town on the edge of some stunning wilderness. If you want to enjoy some natural beauty, you have plenty of choices—but you can also wander around the town for an education in the earliest days of the state’s history.

To get to Baker City, follow the I-84 W to US-30 W in Baker County. Take exit 306 to arrive in town!

What to do in Baker City

McEwen Depot & Museum

: This historic rail museum offers train rides year-round that offer interesting and beautiful experiences. You can participate in a recreation of a train robbery, or if you’re visiting around Christmas, the Christmas lights train ride is a sight to see!

National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center: Here, you can go for a short walk in the brush and imagine the pioneer life of the 1800s. There’s also an engaging living history activity, plenty of dioramas, and well-designed postcards in the gift shop that feature art about the Oregon Trail experience.

In Baker City, you can learn more about the Oregon Trail, as well as the history and heritage of the state of

Oregon

. The town’s museum is brimming with artifacts that will make you feel like a true pioneer.

Just east of town is the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Here, you can go for a short walk in the brush and imagine the pioneer life of the 1800s. There’s also an engaging living history activity, plenty of dioramas, and well-designed postcards in the gift shop that feature art about the Oregon Trail experience.

Pro Tip Make sure to have a decent amount of supplies and a solid understanding of your route so you don’t get lost or stranded like the once-pioneers following the Oregon Trail might have!

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Stop in—La Grande, OR

44 miles, 45 minutes

A quick drive north is La Grande, home to stunning wetlands and outdoor activities that don’t require a ton of sweating. A visit to La Grande requires no deviation from your route, and yet a stopover will reward you with a ton of natural beauty just off the highway.

To get to La Grande, take the I-84 W and get off at exit 265.

What to do in La Grande

The Ladd Marsh

: A lovely area to catch some fresh air and stretch your legs, either by bike or by foot. The wetlands are home to many coveted bird species—just make sure to bring a rain jacket.

Elgin Opera House

: Don’t leave La Grande without stopping by this historic site! It’s an unassuming building in the center of town but it produces amazing community-run concerts, shows, and other performances.

Stop in—Boardman, OR

96 miles, 1.5 hours

After another swift drive, you will arrive at the Columbia River—and it’s worth a stop just to appreciate the incredible vista. The town itself doesn’t have a ton of cultural attractions to offer, but you can fill up on farm-fresh food to fuel the rest of your trip here.

Doesn’t fresh, local agricultural treasures sound like a better

road trip food stop

than another gas station?

To arrive, continue north on the I-84 W and take exit 164 toward Boardman.

Where to eat in Boardman

Two Barrels Taps + Grill

($$-$$$): Boardman’s go-to place for good beer, eats, and views! This bar provides classic comfort foods made with locally sourced ingredients and offers an astounding view of the Columbia River.

What to do in Boardman

SAGE center

($): This interactive museum is Boardman’s point of pride, with old architecture visible from the highway. For a $5 admission fee (includes free parking), you can learn about sustainable agriculture and energy projects in the area.

Boardman Marina Park: Situated right beside the rumbling Columbia River, this is the perfect place to walk the trail and breathe in some fresh air before you continue onto the final stretch of your drive.

Pro Tip The SAGE center also sells Tillamook ice cream onsite!

Stop in—Multnomah Falls, OR

133 miles, 2 hours

Multnomah Falls is famous worldwide, and it’s just off the highway. You can enjoy picture-perfect views after a short (but moderately challenging) two-mile round trip hike. There’s a restaurant and bathrooms onsite, too.

You can stick to the I-84 W and take exit 31 to get to Multnomah Falls.

What to do in Multnomah Falls

Hike up to the falls: Head up to the waterfall viewing point or stop at the bridge to take a photo. Pop into the lodge for hot cocoa (or an iced coffee) and grab a postcard from the gift shop. Note that parking can be tricky here, especially if it’s a sunny weekend day.

Pro Tip If you don’t consider yourself a hiker, then we recommend taking the moderate, 2.2-mile hike to the top of Multnomah Falls. If you’re an avid adventurer, try the 5.4-mile loop to Wahkeena Falls!

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Arrive in—Portland, OR

31 miles, 45 minutes

Portland has everything: great food, stunning hikes, rivers, forests, art, and more. Plus, it’s a city that doesn’t stop when the weather gets bad—it’s a rainproof road trip destination!

Where to stay in Portland

Kimpton Hotel Vintage

: This is one stay dedicated to "Keeping Portland Weird." A one-of-a-kind boutique hotel with an art-adorned interior and easy access to everything you need in downtown Portland. Cost per night: from $160

Where to eat in Portland

Pip’s Doughnuts

($): A well-loved stop in the east with superb fried-to-order mini-donuts and 5 flavors of hand-crafted chai.

Sammich PDX

($): This spot is known for its fantastic grilled cheese and tomato soup combo, but you can’t go wrong with any of the items on the menu! The vibes are laid-back and everything is also made with local ingredients.

Food Carts

($-$$): Portland is acclaimed for having some of the best street food in the world. With over 500 food carts on the streets, it’s definitely worth planning a foodie day-trip through the city to find some amazing eats.

What to do in Portland

Portland Art Museum

: Founded in 1892, this museum is one of the oldest in the country. Make sure to set aside some time to tour the numerous beautiful, ornate, and curious works of art featured here.

International Rose Test Garden

: With over 10,000 rose bushes of around 650 varieties, this free-to-tour garden boasts some gorgeous scenery. It’s the perfect spot to wind down and spend a relaxing afternoon at the end of your road trip.

Tips for road-tripping in the Pacific Northwest

In fall, winter, and spring, your chances of driving through rain in the Pacific Northwest are pretty high. Stay safe by ensuring that your tires are in top condition before you go: check the tread, check the air pressure, and rotate them.

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Why you need roadside assistance

You can prepare for a lot of things on your Boise to Portland road trip, like choosing your perfect hike, but you can’t prepare for stuff like a surprise flat tire or locking your keys out of your car. That’s why you need roadside assistance.

Join the roadside assistance program with

Jerry

and you’ll get towing assistance, jump start help, fuel delivery, winching, and even Uber credits so you don’t have to miss a beat of your trip.