Long trips are fabulous! Especially when you are driving the route from Phoenix to Portland. There are a lot of stunning drives found along this route. You can spend six days, stopping by fantastic places to your content.
2221 miles
About 42 hours 5 minutes
$376.80 fuel
Allow six days to drive leisurely.
The same route can be followed backward for the best driving route from Portland Oregon to Phoenix.
See The Detailed Route Journey Planner
Day 1 Stop in Death Valley, CA
Table Of Contents
453 miles about 7 hours 59 minutes
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix is a city that reveals mighty mountaintops. Marvel around iconic landscapes and hike through the Sonoran Desert. But, you are here to start a long trip to Portland. Henceforth, you need to pack your bags and be ready to go!
Red Rock Canyon Loop
The Red Rock Canyon loop is a natural beauty on its own. It begins on the Southwest of the edge of the Colorado Plateau. Eye-catching views include iron-fused red rocks, hoodoos, and natural bridges. Moreover, there are a lot of adventurous activities, including biking, hiking, and golfing. Starting from Sedona, you will find the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
It is a magnificent artificial structure built into The Red Rock mesas. There’s a spectacular view of Cathedral Rock to the Southwest of the building. The Little Horse trail is close by, showing its excellent plant list. A few miles from the Little Horse trail is Bell Rock Pathway. Along the routes, you will meet bikers enjoying themselves. The Pathway is becoming a mountain bike mecca. Don’t leave without hiking the Cathedral Rock if you love scrambling over massive rocks. As you come to the end of this drive, you are already in Oak Creek.
Death Valley Scenic Byway.
Death Valley is one of the scenic drives towards California. The Death Valley great desert is a scenic beauty, perfected by its highest temperatures and lowest elevation. Starting from Olancho and stretching towards the Owens Lake Bed, you enter the Death Valley National Park.
If you continue with your drive, passing through the Park’s Panamint Valley, you will reach Aguereberry Point. AT this point, you can get a great view of Death Valley. A few miles are Mosaic Canyon Scotty’s Castle and Ubehebe Crater nearby. View natural springs in the Furnace Creek area. Take a side trip on Badwater Road and pass by Golden Canyon, a place worth the wait. Artists’ drive also leads you to a colorful blend of minerals and volcanic materials.
This drive is full of stunning views worthy of passing by.
After such a long exciting drive, you need to take a break. Sleep in Death Valley, California, at Panamint Springs Resort. You will love this place; it offers the best visitor services. Visit Toll road Restaurant and enjoy the excellent atmosphere and delicious dishes. Before leaving Death Valley, you may need another full tank of gas, and the Furnace Creek Gas Station has you covered. Let’s hurry and see what is waiting for you on Day 2.
Day 2 Stop in South Lake Tahoe, CA
415 miles about 7 hours 59 minutes
June Lake Loop
Explore the June Lake Loop on Day 2. June Lake and Gull Lake give a great mirror of the Eastern Sierra rugged mountains. In love with water, you can enjoy various activities such as boating, fishing, and water skiing. Found in the Southwest is Carson Peak, and as you move towards the west, you will see Agnew and Gem Lakes.
You can get a stunning view of a valley below from the two Lakes. You will pass Silver Lake, one of Sierra’s oldest fishing resorts, as you head towards the North. Close to Silver Lake is Grant Lake, the largest Lake on the June Loop. This drive is a natural beauty!
Lake Tahoe
Still in California is Lake Tahoe, with its mesmerizing crystal clear water. This Lake is one of the Deepest Lakes in the world. The Forest Service Visitor Centre provides visitors with all the information. Close to the center is Tallac Historic Site offers you the history of cottages built in the 1890s.
You will get Lake Tahoe’s Inspiration Point, and Emerald Bay Overlook if you move a few miles. These offer the best stunning views of Emerald Bay State, which is the heart of Lake Tahoe. Eager to watch Scandinavian furnishings and art visit the Vikingsholm Castle.
For the impressive Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe views, visit Sugar Pine Point State Park. Also found along the route are the Gatekeeper’s Museum, Truckee Canyon, and Kings Beach State Recreation Area. The drive is full of fantastic places!
It is indeed a day well spent in California. You have to take a break off this route by sleeping in South Lake Tahoe. Beach Retreat and Lodge offer the best view of an outdoor pool. You will love South Lake Tahoe if you decide to lay your sleep at this fantastic place. Enjoy unique dishes at Tahoe Lakeside Restaurant with incredible views of Lake Tahoe. Let’s get going.
Day 3 Stop in Mill Creek, CA
420 miles about 8 hours 5 minutes
This route from Phoenix to Portland is a wonder. You cannot get enough of these and more scenic Drives.
Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway
I love the surrounding mountains and the fascinating tufa rock formations at Pyramid Lake. From afar, you can see the sparkling blue-green waters. Enjoy the incredible view of the 400-foot tall pyramid-shaped rock. Drive up to Sutcliffe and view the most beautiful beaches. You can also take part in fishing and boating activities.
Found along this Drive is Anaho Island. Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge sheltering the White Pelicans and migrating birds. You can get a lot of visitor information at the Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitor Centre. Exhibit The Lake’s history and culture at the Museum. Don’t leave without passing by Marble Bluff Dam and Fish Hatchery!
Drive towards Mount Shasta- Cascade Loop and sleep in Mill Creek. A beautiful place surrounded by a lovely forest is Mill Creek Resort. Find your sleep at this fantastic place as you explore beautiful nature. They offer good meals as well as excellent services. Get ready for the next thrilling moments on day 4!
Day 4 Stop in Redding, CA
381 miles about 7 hours 57 minutes
Mount Shasta- Cascade Loop
Mount Shasta Scenic drive begins in Redding, with Mount Shasta being one of the tallest Mountains in California. The road passes through a rich volcanic past and Lava Beds Monument. As you start your journey, stop at Turtle Bay Exploration Park; It combines a museum offering a conservatory, zoo, and walking trails. Visit the Shasta dam, sound concrete structured and provide the best views of Shasta Lake.
There are vast activities offered at the Lake, including boating, fishing, and water skiing. Get the best idea of limestone caves, stalactites, and crystals at the Lake Shasta Caverns. Beautiful landscape views are found at the Castle Crags State Park. The Park also offers swimming, fishing, and hiking. Black Butte, Mammoth Crater, and Big Nasty Trail are found along the route. If you love adventure, the Mount Shasta Scenic Byway is the way to go!
Take another day off the great road. It is worth having a deep sleep after such a tour. Sleep in Redding at Hilton Garden Inn; the place is so beautiful with friendly services. You can also find the best restaurants that make mouth-watering dishes, such as Cattlemen and Black Bear Diner. Redding is also an attractive city to stop by. Included in the town are botanical gardens and museums.
Day 5 Stop in Cottage Grove, OR
423 miles about 8 hours
Rogue- Umpqua Scenic Byway
Driving along this scenic drive, you will see small towns and a lot of farming communities. One of the towns is Glide, full of natural wonders and colliding rivers. A few miles close to the Colliding River is Swift water Park; you can spend a short time hiking the beautiful trails. Fall Creek Falls, found along this Scenic Drive, has stunning volcanic columns. Take a side trip onto Steamboat Creek Road and view the fantastic natural falls.
Twenty miles along the way, you approach Toketee Falls Trail and Watson Falls, offering you a breathtaking view of basalt lava cliffs. The drive is full of natural wonders, including Lemolo Lake and Diamond Lake. Don’t leave without taking a side trip to National Creek Falls, consumed with various evergreen trees.
End your Day 5 by driving towards Portland and sleeping in Cottage Grove. This city is pretty friendly with very classic American charm. Enjoy sleeping in one of the luxurious places in Cottage Grove, the Cottage Grove Inn. It offers excellent services, which include a super breakfast in the morning.
Ready to embark on the last day of your trip? If the tank is empty, visit Hy-Vee Gas station and hurry up for the next Session.
Day 6 Final stop in Portland!
130 miles, about 2 hours 10 minutes
Here we are at the final destination. It’s indeed a long and exciting trip altogether. The route is fantastic. Portland is the largest city in Oregon, known for its outstanding parks and bridges. You can see that it’s worth all the stopping and waiting along this fantastic journey. Hurray and make the trip a thrilling experience. Hope you have enjoyed it. Will you be making a return road trip from Portland, Oregon to Phoenix Arizona?