U.S. Route 101 in Oregon
U.S. Route 101 (US 101), is a major north–south U.S. Highway in Oregon that runs through the state along the western Oregon coastline near the Pacific Ocean. It runs from the California border, south of Brookings, to the Washington state line on the Columbia River, between Astoria, Oregon, and Megler, Washington.
U.S. Highway 101 | ||||
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| Oregon Coast Highway | ||||
US 101 highlighted in red | ||||
| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by ODOT | ||||
| Length | 363.11 mi (584.37 km) | |||
| Existed | November 11, 1926–present | |||
| Tourist routes |
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| Major junctions | ||||
| South end | US 101 at California state line | |||
| North end | US 101 at Washington state line | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | United States | |||
| State | Oregon | |||
| Counties | Curry, Coos, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln, Tillamook, Clatsop | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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US 101 is designated as the Oregon Coast Highway No. 9 (see Oregon highways and routes), as it serves the Oregon Coast region. Much of the highway runs between the Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast Range, thus US 101 is frequently mountainous in character. For most of its length it is a two-lane undivided highway. Many parts of the highway are subject to closure due to landslides caused by excessive rainfall, and in many parts of the coast, US 101 is the only viable route connecting certain coastal communities. Thus, in many cases when landslides block US 101, the detour requires traveling inland over the Coast Range to alternative north–south routes in the Willamette Valley and then back west over the Coast Range again.
US 101 is often the main street through coastal towns in Oregon, which can cause significant traffic delays. This is especially true in Lincoln City, where geography and tourism combine to create traffic problems.