Highest-rated scenic drives in Oregon by visitors

Written by:
September 2, 2025
UVL // Shutterstock

Highest-rated scenic drives in Oregon by visitors

There's no shortage of scenic drives to take in the United States. According to the National Scenic Byway Foundation, there are 184 designated byway routes with beautiful vistas, as well as historic and cultural sites across the country. That means, no matter where you are in the U.S., a stunning drive isn't too far away.

Some drives have reached celebrity status, one of the most well known being Historic Route 66, which stretches from downtown Chicago to Santa Monica Pier in California. Since 1926, travelers have been hitting the 2,448-mile road that has more than 250 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2026, a centennial celebration will feature dozens of special events along the route.

Other famous drives include the Pacific Coast Highway in California, which hugs 650 miles of the state's coast; the Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic 444-mile route from Tennessee to Alabama and Mississippi; and the highest fully paved road in North America, Colorado's Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, which sits at a cool 14,264 feet at its peak.

Of course, there are plenty more drives that may not be as famous but are just as alluring. The Highland Scenic Highway in West Virginia gives riders a picturesque view through the Monongahela National Forest. Make a pit stop in the Cranberry Glades for an unusual sight: bogs full of carnivorous plants. Further north, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway in New Hampshire is a particularly beautiful drive as the leaves turn in the fall and won't take you too long to drive—it's on the shorter side at only 34.5 miles long.

For those looking to take to the open road, Stacker compiled a list of the best scenic drives in Oregon using data from Tripadvisor as of August 2025. Note that Tripadvisor ranks attractions using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a drive with a 5/5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4/5. Only routes with at least 20 reviews were included.

Once you locate the closest scenic drive, gather your favorite passengers, turn on an epic playlist, and take in the beauty that Oregon has to offer.

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Tripadvisor

#16. Welcome to California

- Rating: 3.6/5 (23 reviews)
- City: Brookings
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#15. Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway

- Rating: 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#14. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway

- Rating: 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#13. Crown Point State Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (78 reviews)
- City: Corbett
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#12. Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway

- Rating: 4.7/5 (109 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#11. Crooked River Scenic Drive

- Rating: 4.8/5 (77 reviews)
- City: Prineville Central
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#10. Three Capes Scenic Drive

- Rating: 4.4/5 (99 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#9. Oregon Route 38

- Rating: 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
- City: Reedsport
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#8. McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop

- Rating: 4.8/5 (244 reviews)
- City: Sisters Central
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#7. The Fruit Loop

- Rating: 4.5/5 (140 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#6. Otter Crest Loop

- Rating: 4.7/5 (360 reviews)
- City: Depoe Bay
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#5. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

- Rating: 4.8/5 (268 reviews)
- City: Brookings
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#4. Oregon Coast Highway

- Rating: 4.8/5 (221 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#3. Rim Drive

- Rating: 4.7/5 (622 reviews)
- City: Crater Lake National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#2. Willamette Valley

- Rating: 4.7/5 (901 reviews)
- City: Portland
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#1. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,197 reviews)
- City: Yachats
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 29 states.

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