Brookings to Coos Bay The run of US 101 in
Oregon (from south to north) starts at the border with
California, south of the twin cities of
Brookings and
Harbor (and north of
Crescent City, California). The highway is mostly a two-lane road, running along the Southern Oregon coastline. Access to this section (other than 101) is via
U.S. Route 199 or
Oregon Route 42. Access is also possible through National Forest Route 23 (NF-23 - Bear Camp) but that route is not maintained through the winter months. Other coastal towns in this stretch of US 101 include
Pistol River,
Gold Beach,
Wedderburn, and
Port Orford. North of Port Orford is the
Cape Blanco region, and the westernmost point in the U.S. Highway system. After passing through
Sixes,
Denmark, and
Langlois, US 101 enters the resort town of
Bandon on the mouth of the
Coquille River. Just north of Bandon, the highway crosses the river on the
Bullards Bridge. The stretch of US 101 between Brookings and Gold Beach includes the highest bridge in Oregon, the
Thomas Creek Bridge. With its roadbed at above Thomas Creek, it is the 15th highest bridge in the U.S. North of Bandon, US 101 heads inland for a while, while a spur route provides access to the
Charleston Peninsula. Approaching the city of
Coos Bay, US 101 becomes an
expressway after an interchange with Oregon Route 42, then soon enters the downtown core. It continues through Coos Bay (the city) along the western edge of Coos Bay (the bay), soon entering the city of
North Bend. North of North Bend, it crosses over the bay on the
Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge, followed by a second bridge over
Haynes Inlet.
Coos Bay to Lincoln City lookout of Highway 101 winding along the Oregon coast south of Cape Perpetua North of Coos Bay, the highway runs along the eastern flank of the
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, through the communities of
North Bend,
Hauser,
Lakeside, and
Winchester Bay before coming into the city of
Reedsport on the mouth of the
Umpqua River. The highway continues north from there, passing through the dunes and through the towns of
Gardiner,
Westlake,
Dunes City, and
Glenada. The next major town is
Florence on the
Siuslaw River. The next stretch of US 101 (between Florence and Newport) closely follows the coastline, providing a wide view of the ocean. Towns between these two cities include
Yachats,
Waldport, and
Seal Rock. Eventually, the highway crosses the
Yaquina Bay Bridge into
Newport. Just before the bridge lies the
Oregon Coast Aquarium; on the other side of the bridge is the famed Newport waterfront. Also in Newport, US Route 20 has its western Terminus at US 101. The next stretch of 101, between Newport and Lincoln City, is rather mountainous, as the Coast Range protrudes into the ocean. Cities on the route include
Depoe Bay,
Otter Rock (accessible via a side road), and the
Gleneden Beach/
Salishan area, famed for its resorts. Near
Siletz Bay is the
abandoned community of
Kernville, followed by
Lincoln City.
Lincoln City to Astoria , heading north The stretch of US 101 through Lincoln City is infamous for its clogged traffic; the city is over long (but only a few blocks wide in spots), and is sandwiched between the ocean on the west, and
Devils Lake and mountains to the east. In many parts of town, the highway is a two-lane road. Adding to the traffic is a
casino in the northern part of town. Much of the traffic departs US 101 north of Lincoln City, at an interchange with
Oregon Route 18. North of Lincoln City US 101 climbs over Cascade Head to the summit at 780 feet above sea level. This is the highest point of 101 in Oregon. To the north of Cascade Head is the town of
Neskowin and the
Nestucca Bay area. A side road, the
Three Capes Scenic Route, provides access to the seaside towns of
Pacific City and
Sandlake, then goes over
Cape Lookout and on to
Netarts,
Oceanside and
Cape Meares before meeting 101 again at
Tillamook. 101 instead heads inland, passing through the towns of
Cloverdale,
Hebo,
Beaver and
Hemlock. The next major town is the city of
Tillamook. North of Tillamook, the highway passes on the eastern shore of
Tillamook Bay, through towns such as
Bay City and
Garibaldi, before reuniting with the ocean. It then continues north along the Pacific through towns such as
Rockaway Beach and Nedonna Beach; the next major towns are
Nehalem and
Manzanita, both on
Nehalem Bay. The highway then continues north along the coastline through rugged terrain until it reaches the city of
Cannon Beach. Unlike most coastal cities in Oregon, a bypass (in
two-lane freeway configuration) was built around Cannon Beach; US 101 follows the bypass alignment. A few miles north of Cannon Beach is an interchange with
U.S. Route 26, followed by the city of
Seaside. (Until recently, U.S. 26 continued north towards Astoria, sharing an alignment with US 101; however
ODOT truncated U.S. 26 to its current terminus at the interchange with 101 several years ago.) North of Seaside, US 101 follows the coastal plain through cities such as
Gearhart; a spur route (
Oregon Route 104) provides access to
Fort Stevens State Park. US 101 soon enters the city of
Warrenton, Oregon (where
Business 101, which is more of a scenic route, providing access to the
Astoria-Warrenton Airport,
Fort Clatsop, and
Miles Crossing) and then crosses
Youngs Bay into
Astoria, Oregon. 101 passes through the northwestern edge of Astoria, until an intersection with the western terminus of
U.S. Route 30. At this intersection, 101 climbs an access road onto the
Astoria-Megler Bridge over the
Columbia River and crosses into the state of
Washington. ==History==