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Getting To Hood River
We know that traveling to Hood River requires time, coordination, and expense. From both of us, thank you. We are truly honored that you are making the journey to celebrate with us, and please let us know if there is anything we can do to help make it more manageable.
Flying To Portland, or
For most guests, the closest major airport is Portland International Airport (PDX), about a 1 hour drive from Hood River. It’s served by most major carriers & has lots of flight options.
Google Flights is a great way to see prices across multiple airlines and dates in one place. You can also track prices for your route and get alerts when fares drop so you don’t have to keep checking manually.
❋ Use Google Flights To Compare
We regularly fly from Philadelphia or New York to Portland and we always have our eyes out for direct round tip flights for $300 or under. When we see one of those pop up, we jump on it! Occasionally better deals come along, but that’s our rule of thumb!
❋ Our “Good Deal” Benchmarks
Start looking for flights early. For most domestic flights, booking about 2–4 months before departure is usually your best bet; waiting too long usually means prices go up as seats fill.
❋ Set Price Alerts & Monitor Early
❋ Direct Flights Are Worth It
Take it from us. If you can swing a direct flight, it is well worth the extra cost. Though, if you do end up on a layover in Seattle, Sarah recommends grabbing a grilled cheese at Beechers while you wait for your connection.
The two of us drove across the country back in 2022 and went through some of the most beautiful roadways in the US. We both still vote this drive as one of our all time favorites.
The Drive Through The Columbia River Gorge
The most well-known route, famous for its dramatic Gorge views and waterfalls. If you have the time, it’s absolutely worth stopping to enjoy the scenery.
❋ The Oregon side (I-84)
Offers a quieter, more forested drive with beautiful river views from a different perspective. It can be a helpful alternative if there’s congestion on I-84, though the route is slightly longer.
❋ The Washington side (Highway 14)
If you would like to carpool with other guests, drop your name in this form!
Our Route
We’ve mapped out a favorite route of ours through the Columbia River Gorge, with curated stops that make the drive part of the weekend experience. You can click here to queue it up on google maps!
Stop and get a milkshake and waffle fries for the journey. For dairy free people, try one of their "Bliss" milkshakes, they're amazing. We always split a Hazelnut Chocolate Bliss Shake.
STOP ONE: BURGERVILLE
STOP TWO: VISTA HOUSE AT CROWN POINT
Spectacular panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge and a beautiful stop along the drive.
If you’d like to visit some of the waterfalls up close, continue along the Historic Columbia River Highway from here. If you prefer to see the waterfalls from I-84, you can simply double back the way you came.
A gentle note for anyone prone to car sickness (we see you): the Historic Highway winds and curves through the woods, so choose the route that feels most comfortable for you.
In the photo above, you can see the structure of Vista House on the right hand cliff side.
Right off the road and absolutely worth a stop. This 224-foot plunge waterfall is known for its dramatic, uninterrupted drop against striking basalt cliffs. If you’re opting for a quicker drive, you can also catch a view of the falls from the highway.
STOP THREE: LATOUREL FALLS
It felt too on-theme not to include. This lovely two-tier waterfall is reached by a short, wooded walk and offers a peaceful moment in the Gorge before you continue on toward Hood River.
STOP FOUR: BRIDAL VEIL FALLS
Here’s a stop Madison and I disagree about.
Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s tallest waterfall (620 feet) and one of the most iconic in the country. In recent years, the crowds have definitely caught on. That said, I (the East Coast transplant) still think it’s breathtaking and absolutely worth seeing at least once. The scale of it really does stop you in your tracks.
Madison, who grew up visiting when it was quieter, believes it’s better admired from the highway these days.
The main challenge is parking, which can be limited and competitive. On more than one occasion, we’ve had one person stay with the car while the others run up to see the falls, then rotate so everyone gets a turn. Not glamorous, but effective.
Our verdict: If you have patience and a sense of humor, it’s spectacular. If you prefer a quieter experience, admire it from I-84 and keep moving.
STOP FIVE: MULTNOMAH FALLS
Almost there. Celebrate the final stretch with a beer and a bite.
We’re also fans of Gorges Beer Co. nearby, but Thunder Island’s patio views of the Gorge and the Bridge of the Gods are hard to beat.
STOP SIX: THUNDER ISLAND BREWING CO
As you near Hood River, you’ll pass one of the Gorge’s most iconic landmarks.
From the Oregon side, you can admire the Bridge of the Gods and continue along I-84 if you’re ready to wrap up the drive — you’ll be about 20 minutes from downtown Hood River.
Or, you can cross the bridge and take Washington’s Highway 14 the rest of the way, which adds about 10 minutes of drive time but offers a quieter, scenic route along the north side of the river.
Completed in 1926, the bridge is named for a Native legend of a natural land bridge that once spanned the Columbia River. According to Klickitat tradition, the Great Spirit created the bridge to unite his sons, Pahto (Mount Adams) and Wy’east (Mount Hood). After the brothers fought over a woman named Loowit (Mount St. Helens), the bridge fell into the river, and the three were transformed into the mountains that still stand today.
STOP SEVEN: BRIDGE OF THE GODS
STOP EIGHT: HOOD RIVER
You've made it! We can't wait to see you!
Public Transit.
If renting a car isn’t your preference, there are public transit options available from Portland to Hood River. That said, we do recommend having a car if possible, as it makes getting around much easier throughout the weekend.
We haven’t personally taken these routes, so we can’t offer firsthand advice, but we’ve gathered the basic information in case this option works better for you.
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The Columbia Gorge Express is a regional bus that runs between Portland and several Gorge towns, including Hood River.
Departs from Portland (Gateway Transit Center)
Drops off in downtown Hood River
Approximately 1.5–2 hours depending on stops
Budget-friendly option
You would first need to take the MAX Light Rail from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Gateway Transit Center, then transfer to the Gorge Express bus.
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FlixBus and Greyhound both operate routes between Portland and Hood River.
Roughly 1–1.5 hours travel time
Limited daily departures
Often departs from downtown Portland
You would need to get from PDX to downtown Portland first (via MAX Light Rail or taxi/rideshare).
Schedules can vary, so advance planning is important.
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Amtrak service runs through the Columbia River Gorge, but service to Hood River is limited and infrequent.
Typically only one train per day
Longer overall travel time
May require transfers
This option tends to be less convenient than the bus routes above.