On your next road trip to see Oregon’s high desert, charming small towns or striking coastline, leave your car in the driveway and hop on the POINT, an intercity bus service powered by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Visitors and locals alike rely on the POINT’s four routes for work and play, and it’s easy to see why. Each bus comes with comfortable seating, ample luggage space, Wi-Fi, restrooms and USB ports at every seat — and many connect with Amtrak trains and local public transit to make car-free trips smoother than ever. In winter especially, mountain snow makes for great skiing and snowboarding but occasionally uneasy driving, and you’ll get to rest easy while letting someone else take the wheel.
As you plan your next trip around Oregon, here’s how to enjoy a stress-free ride on the POINT — and what you can enjoy on each of its four routes.
Museums, Carousels and Markets on the POINT’s Cascades Route
The POINT’s Cascades Route spans from Portland in the north to Eugene in the south with stops in several Willamette Valley communities along the way. Stops in Portland, Salem, Albany and Eugene are at each city’s Amtrak stations, so you can easily stitch together a longer car-free adventure or explore each community’s walkable downtown cores on foot.
In Salem you’re just a half mile from State Capitol State Park, home to a colorful collection of flags from every state in the union, dazzling groves of cherry trees that bloom in spring and plenty of insight into Oregon history. In Albany a 0.8-mile walk or roll takes you to the Historic Carousel & Museum, which enchants children of all ages with dozens of hand-carved and hand-painted creatures. In Eugene head over to 5th Street Public Market to indulge in the city’s creative culture and vibrant food-and-drink scene.
If you’d rather enjoy some fresh air, bring your bike along (at no additional cost) and follow a portion of the 134-mile Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, which heads past farmlands and vineyards while largely hugging the Willamette River.
Beach Walks, Sea Lions and Ocean Views on the POINT’s NorthWest Route
Get right to the fun in Portland and on the Oregon Coast with a trip on the POINT’s NorthWest Route, which heads through the forested Oregon Coast Range and connects the state’s largest city with Seaside, Cannon Beach, Astoria and more.
Well-placed stops along the route drop riders off in the middle of the action. In Portland, the route’s stop at Union Station provides access to Amtrak trains and local TriMet service— and is a few blocks away from boutiques, eateries and lounges in the city’s Pearl District. A midtown stop in Cannon Beach puts you two short blocks from the Oregon Coast, where views of the iconic Haystack Rock await. And a stop at the Astoria Transit Center invites you to hear barking sea lions along the Astoria Riverwalk, sip a craft beer at the nearby Fort George Brewery & Public House, and rest up in a riverside room at the chic Bowline Hotel.
Gardens, Golf and Mountain Views on the POINT’s SouthWest Route
The POINT’s SouthWest Route covers an impressive variety of landscapes and quiet communities while crossing two mountain ranges in the state’s southwestern corner. Highlights include Klamath Falls with its historic downtown packed with murals, Ashland and its world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Brookings, which gets more sunny days than almost anywhere else on the Oregon Coast.
Make the most of your trip with an overnight stay at Running Y Resort just outside of Klamath Falls; the bus stops daily at the resort, which also has one of Oregon’s top golf courses and an onsite spa. Don’t miss a stroll through Ashland’s Lithia Park — served by regular bus service via the Rogue Valley Transportation District — and a crisp ale or lager at Chetco Brewing Company in the sun-kissed community of Brookings.
Geology, Skiing and Culture on the POINT’s Eastern Route
The POINT’s Eastern Route travels between Bend in Central Oregon and Ontario on the state’s eastern border with Idaho. The trip follows Highway 20, passing ancient rock formations, the sprawling high desert, and forests of sagebrush and juniper. It’s the longest, and arguably most scenic, of the four POINT routes.
The route’s westernmost terminus is the city of Bend — the largest city in Central Oregon and home to a world-class mix of outdoor adventure and innovative craft breweries. In winter and spring, enjoy fresh powder and bluebird days at Mt. Bachelor, the seventh-largest ski resort in North America, via local bus service from Cascades East Transit operating between Bend and the mountain. From the POINT’s stop in Ontario, take the SRT-Malheur Express to visit the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario. The museum is home to objects from regional tribes, displays detailing European-American history around Ontario and the only Japanese garden in Eastern Oregon.
