driving through eastern oregon- which way?

We have 2 days driving from Boise to Crater Lake in August. Any suggestions on which highway to take and sights to see on route?

driving through eastern oregon- which way?

Suggest you take US-26 through John Day, see Strawberry Mtns, John Day Fossil Beds, Painted Hills l

driving through eastern oregon- which way?

many thanks

Agree with phirl. The first time I drove this route, I was in awe of the Strawberry Mts. SO beautiful!! And the drive along the John Day River is very pretty as well.

There are two good ways to go.

The first is what phirl said with the following exception: do not get on US-26 directly form Interstate 84. Take I-84 up to Baker City (a picturesque drive) and then take highway 7 (designated as an Oregon Scenic Byway) towards Sumpter and eventually US-26. It’s less than twenty miles farther and won’t take any longer because of the time spent on the Interstate.

Things to see or do on this Oregon Scenic Byway:

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center:

http://www.blm.gov/or/oregontrail/

Choo-Choo Train Ride:

http://www.svry.com/

Lunch/Dinner at the Geiser Grand Hotel: …photobucket.com/albums/…Geiser.jpg

A second way is to take US-20 to Bend, with a side trip to the truly awesome Steens Mountain area, and then drive to Crater Lake. On the way to Steens stop at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (seen in the movie “Winged Migration”).

Because this area is so remote very few Oregonians have been there, but for you, it would only be a 60 mile side trip.

http://www.harneycounty.com/SteensMtn.htm

http://www.oregonphotos.com/pagethree-C.html

…away.com/gorp/resource/us_nwr/or_malhe.htm

Sure agree with Kusko about the Hwy 7 part. It is more scenic than US-26. Though i do think it might take a few minutes more. The drive from Vale to Unity is rather boring.

US-20 faster route bur even more boring.

I helped locate part of that SR-7broute when it was a Forest Service road. Then we built it to State Hwy stds. Was not long before State saw logic to making it a State Hwy. If you have ever been across Dooley Mtn Pass you would understand.