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870 E Berkeley St., 97027 GladstoneView map
Portland is a rare starting point: within two hours' ride you will find the Columbia Gorge and its waterfalls, Mount Hood with its forests and alpine lakes, then the Pacific beaches. EagleRider, our partner on site, rents touring bikes, adventure bikes, roadsters and cruisers. As for the machines, 39 models are in the EagleRider catalogue, from cruisers to adventure bikes; each branch offers only some of them, depending on the dates.
The branch is at 870 E Berkeley St, in the southeast suburbs: about 17 km from downtown as the crow flies. You pick up the motorcycle there, avoiding downtown traffic, and reach Interstate 205 or Interstate 5 within minutes.
Our partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Portland?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Portland
1 The Columbia Gorge and the Mount Hood loop
- Portland
- Troutdale
- Vista House
- Multnomah Falls
- Hood River
- Mount Hood
- Government Camp
- Sandy
- Portland
Leave the freeway at Troutdale for the Historic Columbia River Highway, a 1915 road with stone parapets. Vista House overlooks the river, then Multnomah, Latourell and Wahkeena Falls appear beside the road. At Hood River, orchards and kitesurfers line the shore.
Then turn south on Route 35, which climbs the flank of Mount Hood to Government Camp and Timberline Lodge. The return via Sandy closes the loop in one long day, or in two with a night in Hood River.
- Distance
- about 270 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Roadster or light cruiser, the gorge road is narrow and winding
2 The northern Oregon coast
- Portland
- Astoria
- Cannon Beach
- Tillamook
- Pacific City
- Lincoln City
- McMinnville
- Portland
Follow the Columbia River bank on US 30 to Astoria, a port town covered in colourful houses, then head back down to Cannon Beach and its Haystack Rock. The coast then continues to Tillamook, famous for its cheese factories.
The Three Capes Scenic Loop, west of Tillamook, runs along cliffs and beaches to Pacific City. Return via Lincoln City and then the Willamette Valley. Coastal fog can appear even in summer: pack a warm layer.
- Distance
- about 650 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Large touring bike or cruiser, for smooth riding on US 101
3 Oregon Cascades, McKenzie Pass and Bend
- Portland
- Mount Hood
- Warm Springs
- Bend
- McKenzie Pass
- Eugene
- Portland
Pass Mount Hood on Route 26 and then the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, and the landscape shifts: pine forests, dry hills and bright sun around Bend. The McKenzie Pass road then crosses a vast field of black lava and drops down into the McKenzie Valley.
Continue to Eugene and return on Interstate 5. This mountain pass road closes in winter because of snow, sometimes until the end of spring: check that it is open before setting off.
- Distance
- about 750 km
- Recommended vehicle
- BMW GS adventure bike or touring bike for the long straight stretches
Weather and seasons
When to go in Portland?
Best time
July to September
July to September
highs 24 to 29 °C, lows 12.5 to 15.3 °C
The safest season: a high of 28.5 °C in July, 29.1 °C in August, with 8 mm of rain in July and 13 mm in August. The sun shines more than 13 hours a day in July. September drops to 24.1 °C and the rain, 64 mm, gradually returns. The Mount Hood and Cascade passes are then open, and the gorge waterfalls less muddy.
May, June and October
May to June, October
highs 17 to 24 °C, lows 8.1 to 11.7 °C
June offers 23.5 °C and 11.9 hours of sunshine, May 19.7 °C with 76 mm of rain. In October, the thermometer reads 16.9 °C, but 145 mm of rain falls over 13 days. The autumn colours are beautiful in the gorge, provided you bring a rain suit.
Winter
November to April
November to April
highs 8 to 15 °C, lows 1.4 to 5.3 °C
December is the wettest month: 212 mm and nearly 19 rainy days, with less than 4 hours of sunshine a day. Highs stay around 8 °C from December to January. Snow cuts off the mountain roads, and black ice lurks in the gorge. Book this period only for short outings.
Climate in Portland, month by month
Most pleasant months: May to September.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 °C | 2 °C | 192 mm | 4 h/day |
| Feb | 9 °C | 1 °C | 153 mm | 5 h/day |
| Mar | 12 °C | 3 °C | 146 mm | 7 h/day |
| Apr | 15 °C | 5 °C | 112 mm | 9 h/day |
| May | 20 °C | 9 °C | 76 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 24 °C | 12 °C | 59 mm | 12 h/day |
| Jul | 29 °C | 15 °C | 8 mm | 13 h/day |
| Aug | 29 °C | 15 °C | 13 mm | 12 h/day |
| Sep | 24 °C | 13 °C | 64 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 17 °C | 8 °C | 145 mm | 7 h/day |
| Nov | 11 °C | 5 °C | 196 mm | 5 h/day |
| Dec | 8 °C | 2 °C | 212 mm | 4 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Helmets required in Oregon
In Oregon, helmets are required for everyone, passengers included. Filtering between lanes of cars is not allowed: only California really permits it. Interstate 5 is busy at rush hour.
The historic gorge road
The Historic Columbia River Highway is narrow, with tight bends and wet leaves in autumn. The Multnomah Falls car parks fill up early in summer: arrive before ten, or visit on a weekday.
Wind in the gorge
The Columbia Gorge channels the west wind, and Hood River has a worldwide reputation among windsurfers. On a motorcycle, crosswind gusts on Interstate 84 are tiring: grip the handlebars, slow down and keep away from trucks.
Altitude and temperature changes
Between Portland and Timberline Lodge, the temperature can drop by ten degrees. Even in July, pack a warm layer for Mount Hood and a vest for the coast, where the sea wind cools things quickly.
Wildlife on forest roads
Deer and elk cross the roads of the Mount Hood forest and the coast at dawn and dusk. Keep a braking margin in the undergrowth and avoid riding at night far from towns.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Portland
Where do I pick up my motorcycle in Portland?
The EagleRider branch is at 870 E Berkeley St, in the southeast suburbs, about 17 km from the centre of Portland as the crow flies. Your confirmation gives the key handover times and the documents to present.
Which motorcycle for the coast and the gorge?
A Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail or Road Glide gives comfort on US 101. For the small roads of the gorge, a Triumph Bonneville or an Indian Scout Sixty is easy to handle. An adventure bike like the BMW R 1250 GS helps as soon as the tarmac deteriorates. It all depends on availability.
How many days for Mount Hood and the coast?
One long day is enough for the Mount Hood loop via the gorge. Three days let you add the coast as far as Astoria, and a week opens the way to Bend and the Cascades, even Crater Lake.
Can the motorcycle be returned in Seattle?
Sometimes, but not systematically. EagleRider also has a branch in Seattle, about 233 km away as the crow flies. The search shows whether a one-way drop-off is possible for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Motorcycle rental in Portland
Which documents do I need to rent a motorcycle in Portland?
Bring your motorcycle licence, category A for a European licence, your passport and a bank card. Some rental companies also ask for an international permit. The minimum age and the length of time you have held your licence depend on the model booked.
Can we travel two-up?
Yes, of course: most touring bikes and adventure bikes are rented with a passenger seat and a backrest. Your passenger must wear a helmet, like you, throughout Oregon.
What do I do with my luggage?
Touring bikes with side cases carry two travel bags. On a roadster, use a waterproof saddle bag, essential with the coastal rain. Leave most of your luggage at the hotel for a short loop.
Is Mount Hood open all year?
The main Mount Hood roads are maintained in winter, but snow and ice make riding a motorcycle inadvisable. For pass roads like McKenzie Pass, wait for summer and check that they are open before setting off.
When should I book in Portland?
For July and August, book at least a month ahead. Spring and autumn leave more choice, at the price of more changeable weather.
About us
Why choose Portland for riding
No other large American city combines a wide river, waterfalls, a volcano and the ocean so quickly. The Historic Columbia River Highway, built for the first automobiles, remains one of the most refined roads in the country for a motorcyclist, and the coast can be ridden without tolls or freeways.
With a branch on the southeast edge of the city, you avoid the downtown bridges. July to September are the best months; out of season, keep to short loops and bring rain gear.
Other departure cities
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