If you're flying in, the drive from PDX to the Oregon coast is shorter than most people expect, and the drive from EUG to our Eugene house is shorter still. Here's how we'd route you to each of our homes, with honest drive times and the stops worth making.
Pick your airport
Portland (PDX) is the big one. More flights, more rental cars, and it's the right choice for Mt. Hood Village, Manzanita, and Neskowin. Eugene (EUG) is small and lovely. You can be off the plane and in your rental car in 20 minutes. It's the obvious pick for our Eugene house and a reasonable one for Neskowin if fares line up.
Both airports have all the major rental agencies on-site. PDX rental cars are in a garage connected to the terminal. EUG's are just outside baggage claim.
PDX to Mt. Hood Village
About 1 hour 15 minutes, 55 miles. Take I-84 east briefly, then I-205 south to US-26 east through Sandy. Simple. The last grocery stop with real selection is the Safeway or Fred Meyer in Sandy. After that, Welches has a small market and Hoodland Thriftway for basics.
In winter, this is a mountain drive. Wildwood Basecamp sits near Welches at low elevation, so you usually won't need chains to reach the cabin itself. Going up to Timberline is another story. Ask your rental agency about winter tires if you're planning to ski. Many won't offer chains, so know that before you commit.
PDX to Manzanita
About 2 hours, 95 miles. US-26 west through the Coast Range, then US-101 south. The stretch through the Coast Range is two lanes, winding, and slow behind a log truck. Build in patience. Cell service drops for about 30 minutes.
Grocery: stock up at the Fred Meyer or New Seasons in Hillsboro before you leave the metro area, or wait for Manzanita's own little grocery on Laneda Avenue, which is small but well-stocked for a beach town. Puffin Lane is about a ten-minute walk from the beach and a five-minute walk from all of it.
PDX to Neskowin
About 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 miles. Take I-5 south to OR-99W through Newberg and McMinnville, then OR-18 west to US-101, then south to Neskowin. Or, from EUG, it's about 2 hours 30 minutes north on I-5 to Salem, then OR-22 west to OR-18 to 101.
Lincoln City is your last big grocery stop, 15 minutes north of Neskowin. Pacific City has a small market 15 minutes south. Neskowin itself has a general store for coffee, wine, and things you forgot. The Weekender is steps from the beach and cozy for up to three, so you won't need much.
EUG to the Eugene House
About 20 minutes. That's it. The airport is northwest of town and our house is in south Eugene near the trails. Market of Choice, Whole Foods, and a very good Saturday Market downtown will handle your groceries. The house has a full kitchen and a fenced yard, so the dog can decompress from the flight immediately. Our Eugene things-to-do page covers game weekends, wineries, and the Ridgeline Trail.
If you're flying to Eugene during a Ducks home game weekend or the Bach Festival in summer, book your rental car early. EUG is small and it does run out.
Flying with a dog
All our homes welcome pets, so bring them. A few practical notes:
- Both airports have pet relief areas. PDX's are marked on the terminal maps; EUG's is outside near the arrivals curb.
- Most rental agencies allow dogs but charge a cleaning fee if there's fur everywhere. Bring a seat cover.
- Plan a stop with grass an hour into the drive. Sandy, Banks, or McMinnville all have parks right off the highway.
Red-eye and late arrival
All our homes have keyless entry, so a 10pm arrival is no problem. You'll have the code before you land. If your flight is delayed and you're arriving after dark on a mountain or coast road, drive slower than you want to. Elk on US-26 are real. So are the log trucks at 5am in the other direction.
Once you've picked an airport, the rest is easy. Book the house, book the car, download your offline maps, and we'll see you at the door. Or at least our lockbox will.