How to Get to Columbia River Gorge From Portland

The Historic Columbia River Highway, completed in 1922, remains the only road segment in Oregon listed as both a National Historic Landmark and an All-American Road. That designation reflects engineering ambition—Samuel Lancaster designed the route to showcase waterfalls without destroying them, carving stone tunnels and arched viaducts into basalt cliffs. Reaching Columbia River Gorge from Portland means choosing between speed and scenery: Interstate 84 delivers efficiency, while the old highway trades 15 extra minutes for direct waterfall access and stone guardrail overlooks. Most visitors departing Portland take I-84 east from the city center, merging onto the freeway near the Lloyd District. The interstate runs parallel to the Columbia River, passing through Troutdale and Corbett before reaching the Bridal Veil exit. From Exit 28, a short connector road joins the Historic Columbia River Highway westbound, placing you at Multnomah Falls within two miles. Those preferring the scenic route from the start can access the historic highway directly via exit points in Troutdale or Corbett, though spring and autumn leaf traffic often slows this option to a crawl. The Columbia Gorge Express shuttle removes parking uncertainty. Running Friday through Sunday from late spring through early autumn, the service departs Gateway Transit Center with stops at Rooster Rock State Park, Multnomah Falls, and Cascade Locks. Reservations open two weeks in advance and fill quickly on summer weekends. The shuttle allows visitors to hike one-way between waterfall trailheads without backtracking to a parked car—a flexibility self-drivers sacrifice. Parking at Multnomah Falls operates under a reservation system managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The lot holds 219 vehicles, and weekend slots disappear within hours of release. Arriving without a reservation means continuing east to alternative trailheads like Horsetail Falls or Wahkeena Falls, both offering their own waterfall circuits and connecting trails. Weekday mornings before 9:00 a.m. see the lightest congestion, though reservations remain mandatory year-round. Winter storms occasionally close the Historic Columbia River Highway due to ice or rockfall, forcing all traffic onto I-84; check TripCheck Oregon before departure during November through March.