Hello Bandon-bound babes & babe-partners...

Since this is our first time to Bandon towing our cramper (a '97 Casita) and we're traveling from the northern hinterlands (Whidbey Island, WA - yeah, hahahahaa we've had way too much rain lately), we wonder, What is the best drive to Bandon? Maybe I should just ask Charlene and Dennis! Yo!

Should we get off of the 5 at Eugene and travel the 126 west to the 101 south - OR - should we come all the way down to Green and get off on the 42 west to Bandon?

Advice please. We shall happily consider all comments.

Also, thank you to the good folks who have posted crampsite photo images to this web site... lovely!!! We are sooooooo looking forward to this gathering.

Cheerios,
Sharen & Simon B-60

hay you two!! ...If ya got the time the drive down 101 is spectacular. A little more care needs to be taken now that the 'lookie-loo' season is upon us but its still worth the drive....

Hi, fellow Bandon-bound Eggers! We offer some notes on our traveling experience to Bullard's Beach. Since we usally come from visiting in CA, we exit I-5 to SR 42 at Green. We take that highway thru Coquille (dry camping with flushers for $10.00 at city park) then on into Bandon.

I see on the map you can exit the interstate to SR38 thru Drain, taking that road to pick up 101 at Reedsport and continuing south thru North Bend and Coos Bay. Don't know if there are any steep grades on this road tho'. There is an Indian casino at Coos Bay which has a nice RV park (showers, laundry etc) but also allows RVers to dry camp free for up to 7 consequtive days ... you just register with the RV office - nice budget stretcher.

Whichever route you choose, we wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you in July!
Regards, L 'n D

We travel down I-5 from Salem and take SR38 through Drain. The drive is beautiful along the river and the grades are not too bad (my 4-banger Tacoma does great towing the 19' Scamp). We usually camp at Wallyworld (Walmart) in Coos Bay Thursday night and pull into Bullards Friday morning.

If you take this route, beware that the bugs come out in full force as the sun goes down and splatter the snot out of your trailer.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks!

Thanks all who responded.
We got good advice, 'specially 'bout the bends and the bugs. Many thanks.
It looks like we'll go the Drain to Reedsport route, and the stop at Walmart... in a pinch we might do that.

Cheers all and thanks,
Sharen & Simon

There's several nice routes to take.
Cross the ferry to Port Townsend then 101 all the way to Bandon.
101 to Olympia I-5 to Portland, Hwy 30 to Astoria 101 to Bandon.
I-5 to Portland Hwy 26 to Canon Beach, 101 to Bandon
I-5 to Salem, Hwy 22-18 to Lincoln City, 101 to Bandon
I-5 to Hwy 34 south of Salem (through Corvalis), 34 to Waldport, 101 to Bandon.
I-5 to Eugene, 126 to 101 at Florence.
I-5 to 38 and follow the Umpqua River to Reeds Port.
1-5 to 42 to 101 below Coos Bay.

All have their pluses and minuses. If I was coming from where you are I would want to really consider Waldport one. There's a Forest Service campground and a Benton County Campground right beside the Alsea River. They aren't that heavily used so finding a spot in either shouldn't be a problem. The drive is quite pretty but a little twisty but not a problem.

Going the 42 way is also quite pretty. By the time you get to Coos Bay you're about 15 minutes away from Bullard Beach. Remember the State Park doesn't want you there before 4:00 pm. (check in time). So you might want to make it two short days of driving and enjoy the scenery a bit.

Byron, You seem to be very knowledgeable about the Oregon Rds...... May I ask you if some of these hwys mapquest shows are roads I maybe shouldn't take?

Haven't firmed up which direction I will head first from Colorado, but because of some stuff that came up Wed (sold our home) I don't think we are getting out of here as soon as I wanted to take a nice meandering trip to Montana then slide on down to the Rally. I think I will just have to make it a straight shot into Oregon and the rally. Hit Montana on the way home (though we won't have a home to come home to, didn't expect our home to sell in 5 days. We will deal with that later...) Everything to the Oregon boarder I have driven, But now I am lost as to some of these Oregon Rd's /Hwy's mapquest came up with. Your opinion would be wonderful. OR Hwy/Us 20, OR Hwy 126 which I guess becomes McKenzie Hwy, I-5 (been there done that) but then to OR38/Or99 Umpqua Hwy, then the 101 (again, been there done that) But these other ones are the ones I am not sure of...... Your opinion please! Thanks so much! Robin

Highway 20 through Burns is Oregon High Desert country. Not real heavily traveled, but those that do like to go fast. You just have make sure they have room to when they come up on you. Other than that it's kind of nice drive. When you get to Sisters the McKenzie Highway (Highway 242) is closed and isn't scheduled to open until September 1st. So you would have to go over the Santiam Pass then to 126 to get to Eugene. Not a bad route, there's a couple really nice waterfalls to visit at the upper end of 126, with a campground at one them. Coming into Eugene there's only three ways across I would recommend, 126, 38 or 42. It's been a really long time since I've been across 126, I can't remember anything about it. The other I've been across recently. I would avoid all other routes across the Coast Range that are south of Eugene.

From Bend there's only two routes across unless you want to go north to Portland, then might as well take I-84 then I-205 to I-5. The two 20 over the top. Highway 22 splits to the north just below the summit to Salem, then highway 126 splits to south going to Eugene. The other way from Bend is go south on 97 to highway 58.

That's about your choices.

My choice would be 20, 126, I-5, 42.

I hope this helps a bit.

Thank You Byron, It does help. If I weren't towing, I would be one of the fast one's....... But towing, I become a granny........... So they will be passing me. As I said, we wanted to meander, but plans have changed so it will have to be the straight shot, I have never driven side ways thru Oregon, Always up and down. LOL.......... Thanks again! Robin

Many thanks Byron...
What a lot of options!
Acutally we've traveled most of those routes in past roadtrips and they are nice alternatives. Since we have to travel so far and don't have as much time as we'd like, we may stick with the I-5 to Cottage Grove, and then over to Reedsport and down. That'd be a new one on us.

* IMPORTANT info about the Whidbey Island to Olympic Penninsula - Keystone/Pt Townsend Ferry - route... This crossing is more problematic than it used to be. A charming but much smaller ferry has been substituted for the previous ferries, which were retired last winter due to old age and metal hull fatigue! So for the spring/summer tourist season Washington State Ferries have instituted a partial reservation system. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ If you're traveling that way, be sure to check out the ferry web site.

Happy travels to all!
Sharen

We'll be taking the same route, but were leaving Wednesday. Depending on which end of the island you're on, we have a little more or a little less distance to go!
Thanks for asking the question, btw.
See you there...

We're on the southeast end, Langley, near the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry. Let's exhange cell phone #s!
Sharen

You're almost due west of us!
I sent you a private message

Just to make sure Heathgal doesn't make a wrong turn. The exit to Reedsport does not take off at Cottage Grove. You exit below Cottage Grove and go through Drain to Reedsport.

Hello Sharen & Simon.
We are West, just outside of Eugene. We like to go from here South and stop off at the Lorane Deli. ( a wonderful spot) Then we head South to Drain and over to the coast from there.
You are welcome to stop for the night at our place if you want to take your time getting to the event. We have lots of room for others as well if anyone is interested. I also know of a nice spot in Lorane to park over night if you prefer (also free).

Best regards,
Nolan, Lynnette and family

Hello Nolan & Lynnette,
I just read this post today. What a sweet deal! I just checked and it's about 320 miles from our home to yours. We may take you up on the offer if it's still good. Nice of you! We'll be in touch. And the directions ghru Drain sound right to us... nice tip about the deli as well. Abundant thanks!

Today on Whidbey: bright sunshine and 76degrees in the shade - durn near perfect!

Be well,
Sharen