Before driving in Oregon it’s important to read up on the road rules and regulations to help you navigate the state safely. With vibrant cultural hotspots such as Portland alongside epic national parks, Oregon offers its visitors a thriving exciting music and arts scene as well as outstanding natural beauty. With so much to explore, brushing up on the state’s road rules will help you have a stress-free vacation. Read on to find out about speed limits, parking rules, and things to do with your SIXT car rental in the state.
General Rules and Regulations
- Seatbelts must be worn at all times in Oregon.
- Flashing amber lights on buses mean that traffic approaching or following you must slow down while flashing red lights or a STOP sign indicates you must stop until the lights are deactivated.
- Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
- Drivers should yield to all emergency vehicles, and not enter an intersection if one is approaching.
- By driving a vehicle in Oregon you have legally consented to blood, urine or breath tests for alcohol. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%.
- Treat traffic signals that are not functioning as a four-way stop.
Speed Limits in Oregon
Be aware that in Oregon the speed limits are relatively low for the United States. In some cases, such as narrow roads in cities it can drop to 15 mph. In addition, there is a basic speed rule that means drivers must adjust their speed based on weather conditions, traffic, and any other dangers you may encounter while driving.
| Business districts, school zones | 20 mph |
| Residential districts | 25 mph |
| Rural and urban highways | 55-65 mph |
| Interstate highways | 70 mph |
Turning and Parking
In Oregon, U-turns are not permitted at traffic signals or in intersections in cities. U-turns are also forbidden when visibility is impaired on roads without speed limits. You can take a right on red at a traffic signal as long as you have come to a full stop prior to turning. At four-way stops, drivers to the right have right of way.
Parking in central and downtown areas is metered but there is an easy to use park and ride program if you want a cheaper way to explore the city with public transport. There is also free parking on the street outside of the central districts. You are not allowed to park on railroad crossings, in bike lanes, near construction work where it would impede traffic, or in an intersection or a crosswalk. It is also illegal to double park in Oregon. The following distances apply when parking in Oregon.
- Do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
- Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- Do not park within 50 feet of a traffic signal.
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the road while on the opposite side your vehicle must be 75 feet away.
Car Rental with SIXT in Oregon
Oregon is perhaps best known for its majestic natural beauty. Visitors have access to sights like Crater Lake, the snowy peak of Mount Hood and the towering Multnomah Falls – just one of many impressive waterfalls in the epic Columbia River Gorge National Park. The coastline is equally dramatic and you can explore Ecola State Park through a vast network of trails. It is also a very popular surfing destination and the final scenes of the movie Point Break were filmed here.
Due to its proliferation of beautiful spots, you don’t need to travel long distances between destinations while exploring and there are many scenic routes. The famous Pacific Coast scenic byway will not disappoint and allows you to take in Oregon’s most beautiful coastal locations. We also recommend Hells Canyon for views over the Wallowa Mountains, the West Cascades Scenic Byway to drive through the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, and the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway that takes you past the immense lakes and peaks that have formed from ancient volcanic activity.
