Portland To Los Angeles Road Trip: Top 21 Tips

Portland to Los Angeles road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 964 miles of Portland to Los Angeles drive takes around 14 hours and 48 mins without stops.

This article includes 21 top tips that turn your Portland to Los Angeles drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles, take your coffee and keep reading!

7 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Portland To Los Angeles

On the Portland to Los Angeles road trip, you may want to stay at some points. Here are the top seven hotels on the Portland – Los Angeles route!

1. Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn: Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the Portland to Los Angeles road trip. Driving from Portland to Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn might take around 50 mins. The rooms in the hotel come with mini-fridges, which are perfect for storing drinks and snacks. The hotel is always kept clean, and the rooms are large and spacious with updated decor. Check the Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn, one of the best hotels in Salem, Oregon, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Inn at the 5th: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Los Angeles from Portland is Inn at the 5th. Located in Eugene, Oregon, the hotel is 110 miles away from Portland, and it would take 1 hour and 47 mins to drive. The Inn at the 5th is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Eugene, Oregon. The hotel room is well-planned and comfortable, providing the perfect place to relax after a long day exploring the city. If you want to learn more about the Inn at the 5th, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast. Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast is located in Ashland, Oregon, and it’s 288 miles away from Portland. You can arrive there in 4 hours and 29 mins of non-stop driving. The Lavender Room at the Cozy Corner Cafe offers a beautiful breakfast experience with creative and delicious dishes. The relaxed atmosphere and outstanding hospitality make it an excellent choice for groups or individuals. Guests can enjoy culinary delights, including coffee, tea, lattes, cappuccinos, and afternoon snacks. The bed, linen, and pillows in the Lavender Room are incredibly comfortable, and all the little extras that guests need are thoughtfully provided. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast for more information.
4. Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: If you are taking the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles, Sacramento, California, it must have a place you should visit. Plus, Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo is one of the best hotels in town. It is Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo, 581 miles from Portland, and it would take 9 hours to drive. The Courtyard is a clean, up-to-date hotel. It features comfortable beds, thick towels, a decent TV, ample space, and nice extras like a mini fridge, good coffee, and high-quality mini toiletries. If you need more info about the price and availability of Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Hotel Valencia Santana Row: Our next hotel is Hotel Valencia Santana Row, San Jose, California. It will take 10 hours, and 21 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Portland. Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose, CA, offers luxury and solitude. It is the only hotel located on Santana Row! Hotel Valencia features include 24-hour room service, over 4000 sq ft of meeting space, two restaurants, a full-service bar, and a seasonal rooftop bar. Check the Hotel Valencia Santana Row on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hotel Valencia Santana Row for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Chateau Coralini: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles is Chateau Coralini. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Salinas, California, within 11 hours and 16 mins drive from Portland. Château Coralini, a luxurious historic mansion, offers guests a taste of European elegance in one of the world’s most desired destinations. Some rooms boast views of the lush gardens, while upstairs, the wide hallways provide a comfortable and open space for guests to move between the bedroom suite wings. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
7. Harbor House Inn: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Harbor House Inn. It’s located in Santa Barbara, California, and is 568 miles from Portland. However, you can arrive there within 10 hours and 33 mins of car drive. The Harbor House Inn is a boutique hotel located one block from West Beach, nestled between Stearn’s Wharf and the Santa Barbara Harbor. Room amenities include wireless internet access and complimentary use of 3-speed cruising bicycles. Beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas are also available at no charge. If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Harbor House Inn.

In this part, we explained seven hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by commenting on this post. It will help people who will take the exact Portland to Los Angeles route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Portland to Los Angeles. We have seven restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

7 Best Restaurants On The Portland To Los Angeles Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Portland to Los Angeles road trip. This section lists the seven restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the Portland to Los Angeles road trip with Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro. Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro is located in Salem, Oregon, 46.9 miles from Portland. It would take 52 mins of driving. The portions are large, and everything is delicious, especially the homemade biscuits with homemade jam. The Bloody Mary is also excellent. The staff is great and friendly. The Creme Brule French Toast and the fries were both delicious. For more information about Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro, visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro.
2. King Estate Winery: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Los Angeles from Portland is King Estate Winery. Located in Eugene, Oregon, King Estate Winery is 134 miles from Portland and would take 2 hours and 15 mins to drive. We had a great time on the terrace with great weather and food. The smoked Champoeg chicken was perfect. If you’re into fine dining, we highly recommend King Estate. If you want to learn more about King Estate Winery, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Alchemy Restaurant and Bar: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Alchemy Restaurant and Bar. It will take 4 hours and 29 mins of car drive to take 285 miles from Portland to Alchemy Restaurant and Bar, Ashland, Oregon. Alchemy is a speculative science and philosophy that encompasses and enfolds many different theorems and beliefs. However, its core is simple: transforming familiar elements into something more significant. You can check Alchemy Restaurant and Bar on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Mikuni, Sacramento: Mikuni, Sacramento deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Sacramento, California. The food at the Japanese Mafia was excellent, with fresh sashimi and delicious warm appetizers. The atmosphere was great, and the service was beautiful. I highly recommend the Japanese Mafia and Carmen rolls if you enjoy sushi. Mikuni, Sacramento is 580 miles away from Portland and would take 9 hours of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Mikuni, Sacramento, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Bill’s Cafe, San Jose: If you enjoy dining, Bill’s Cafe, San Jose, would be an excellent choice in San Jose, California. It’s 667 miles from Portland and would take 10 hours and 19 mins of car driving. The food served at the restaurant is hearty and of good quality, with fresh ingredients and friendly service. You’ll find all the regular breakfast and lunch fare here. If you want to learn more about Bill’s Cafe, San Jose, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Rancho Cielo: Rancho Cielo, Salinas, California, is another restaurant we recommend on the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. It will take 11 hours and 6 mins of driving to reach Rancho Cielo from Portland. Rancho Cielo is a unique restaurant that offers a great dining experience while supporting a worthy cause. The restaurant is staffed by student trainees, providing them with valuable work experience and skills development. By dining at Rancho Cielo, you can help make a difference in the lives of these young people. For more information about Rancho Cielo, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.
7. Toma Restaurant and Bar: Ranked seventh on our list, Toma Restaurant, and Bar appeal to those who want to turn their Los Angeles vacation into a memorable experience. It is located in Santa Barbara, California, 940 miles from Portland, and it’ll take 14 hours and 29 minutes to drive. Toma Restaurant & Bar has been serving a unique array of classic dishes with a contemporary twist since 2013. Toma has a charming waterfront facade in an old-world, historic building on West Cabrillo Boulevard. With over 70 years of experience in the culinary industry, Toma is a beautiful restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. If you want to learn more about Toma Restaurant and Bar, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our seven restaurant recommendations for your road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 964 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Los Angeles road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Portland to Los Angeles. Keep reading.

7 Places To Visit On The Portland To Los Angeles Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Los Angeles. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Salem, Oregon. We want to explain the top seven destinations we recommend on the Los Angeles route.

• Enchanted Forest Theme Park: Enchanted Forest Theme Park will be the first destination we recommend you stop on your Portland to Los Angeles road trip. Located in Salem, Oregon, Enchanted Forest Theme Park is 53.7 miles away from Portland, and it would take 55 mins to drive. A theme park in Oregon’s forest offers many activities for visitors, including the log ride, the haunted house, and the water show. This family-friendly destination is perfect for a day of fun. If you want to learn more about the Enchanted Forest Theme Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Cascades Raptor Center: Cascades Raptor Center, Eugene, Oregon, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the Portland to Los Angeles route. It’s 118 miles from Portland, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 57 mins of driving. The center houses 40 resident birds of 30 native species, including owls, falcons, hawks, to bald and golden eagles. It was awe-inspiring to see these majestic creatures up close. The staff was helpful and friendly. It was worth making a stop! If you want to learn more about Cascades Raptor Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Ashland, Oregon, is one of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. And if you visit Ashland, Oregon, we suggest you visit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. You can arrive Oregon Shakespeare Festival after 4 hours and 28 mins of driving. Angus Bowmer founded the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in 1935. The festival has grown from a three-day event featuring two plays to a nationally renowned theatre arts organization that presents an eight-month season of up to 11 plays. This lineup includes works by Shakespeare and a mix of classics, contemporary plays, musicals, and world premieres. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for more information.
• Old Sacramento: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Old Sacramento, Sacramento, California, on the Portland to Los Angeles road trip. Old Sacramento is 579 miles from Portland, and you can arrive there after the 9 hours of drive. The area around the river is a popular destination for wine lovers and those who enjoy spending time outdoors on a patio. The area features restored buildings, museums, and novelty shops that give it a unique charm. In addition, visitors can find this historic area’s souvenirs, restaurants, and other amenities. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Old Sacramento before going there.
• Winchester Mystery House: Located in San Jose, California, Winchester Mystery House ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. You must take 10 hours and 21 mins of driving to arrive at Winchester Mystery House. Construction of the Winchester Mystery House began in 1884 and continued for 38 years. The mansion is said to be haunted by the spirits of people killed by Winchester rifles. Mrs. Winchester designed the mansion to have many odd and mysterious features. If you want to learn more about Winchester Mystery House, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• The Steinbeck House / Best Cellar Gift Shop: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles is The Steinbeck House / Best Cellar Gift Shop, Salinas, California. The Steinbeck House / Best Cellar Gift Shop is 721 miles from Portland, and it would take 11 hours and 6 mins to drive. The Queen Anne style Victorian, where author John Steinbeck was born and spent his boyhood, is now home to The Best Cellar, a gift shop featuring unique items, vintage and new books by Steinbeck, and original furniture from the Steinbeck family. Among the treasures on display is the headboard of the bed in which John Steinbeck was born. For more information about The Steinbeck House / Best Cellar Gift Shop, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.
• Santa Barbara County Courthouse: You can visit many destinations on your Portland to Los Angeles journey. One of these destinations is Santa Barbara County Courthouse, located in Santa Barbara, California. You can arrive at Santa Barbara County Courthouse after 14 hours and 30 mins of driving. The Santa Barbara Courthouse, renowned for its iconic Spanish Colonial Revival style, has been called “the most beautiful government building in America.” Visitors are welcome during regular business hours, but they should note that access is not permitted after 4:45 p.m. If you want to read the reviews of previous visitors about Santa Barbara County Courthouse, you can visit Santa Barbara County Courthouse’s TripAdvisor page or their website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Portland to Los Angeles

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Portland to Los Angeles drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Portland To Los Angeles?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Portland to Los Angeles road trip takes approximately 14 hours and 48 mins to drive. The driving distance between Portland to Los Angeles is 964 miles.
• If you want to make the Portland to Los Angeles road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be three days and 13 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Portland-Los Angeles route, you will have to walk for 13 days and 11 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Portland To Los Angeles?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Los Angeles. On the road, you can visit Salem, Oregon; Eugene, Oregon; Ashland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; San Jose, California; Salinas, California; and Santa Barbara, California. Here we list seven places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Portland to Los Angeles journey, you can check the 7 Best Places To Visit On The Portland To Los Angeles Road Trip.

1. Enchanted Forest Theme Park: 53.7 miles / 55 mins to drive from Portland | 910 miles / 13 hours and 57 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
2. Cascades Raptor Center: 118 miles / 1 hour and 57 mins to drive from Portland | 859 miles / 13 hours and 14 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
3. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: 285 miles / 4 hours and 28 mins to drive from Portland | 679 miles / 10 hours and 30 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
4. Old Sacramento: 579 miles / 9 hours to drive from Portland | 385 miles / 5 hours and 52 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
5. Winchester Mystery House: 666 miles / 10 hours and 21 mins to drive from Portland | 345 miles / 5 hours and 25 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
6. The Steinbeck House / Best Cellar Gift Shop: 721 miles / 11 hours and 6 mins to drive from Portland | 305 miles / 4 hours and 47 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
7. Santa Barbara County Courthouse: 940 miles / 14 hours and 30 mins to drive from Portland | 95.4 miles / 1 hour and 43 mins of driving to Los Angeles.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Portland To Los Angeles?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. We have selected seven hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 7 Best Hotels On The Road Trip To Los Angeles From Portland section.

• Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn: 47.7 miles / 50 mins to drive from Portland | 917 miles / 14 hours of driving to Los Angeles.
• Inn at the 5th: 110 miles / 1 hour and 47 mins to drive from Portland | 859 miles / 13 hours and 12 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast: 288 miles / 4 hours and 29 mins to drive from Portland | 677 miles / 10 hours and 23 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: 581 miles / 9 hours to drive from Portland | 389 miles / 5 hours and 56 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Hotel Valencia Santana Row: 666 miles / 10 hours and 21 mins to drive from Portland | 345 miles / 5 hours and 24 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Chateau Coralini: 727 miles / 11 hours and 16 mins to drive from Portland | 304 miles / 4 hours and 48 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
• Harbor House Inn: 568 miles / 10 hours and 33 mins to drive from Portland | 524 miles / 8 hours and 27 mins of driving to Los Angeles.

Where To Eat Between Portland to Los Angeles?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Portland to Los Angeles drive, you can consider the seven restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 7 Best Restaurants On The Portland To Los Angeles Road Trip.

1. Word Of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro: 46.9 miles / 52 mins to drive from Portland | 919 miles / 14 hours and 6 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
2. King Estate Winery: 134 miles / 2 hours and 15 mins to drive from Portland | 838 miles / 12 hours and 59 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
3. Alchemy Restaurant and Bar: 285 miles / 4 hours and 29 mins to drive from Portland | 679 miles / 10 hours and 30 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
4. Mikuni, Sacramento: 580 miles / 9 hours to drive from Portland | 386 miles / 5 hours and 55 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
5. Bill’s Cafe, San Jose: 667 miles / 10 hours and 19 mins to drive from Portland | 341 miles / 5 hours and 21 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
6. Rancho Cielo: 718 miles / 11 hours and 6 mins to drive from Portland | 308 miles / 4 hours and 54 mins of driving to Los Angeles.
7. Toma Restaurant and Bar: 940 miles / 14 hours and 29 mins to drive from Portland | 95.5 miles / 1 hour and 41 mins of driving to Los Angeles.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Portland to Los Angeles. We have listed seven hotels, seven restaurants, and seven places to visit on the Portland to Los Angeles drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Portland to Los Angeles as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the Portland to Los Angeles road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Portland to Los Angeles and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.