The Most Affordable Oregon Road Trip Takes You To 10 Stunning Sites For Less Than $100

Gas is expensive but we all still want to go out and explore! There can still be affordable trips in Oregon. This road trip along the southern Oregon coast from Brookings to Florence clocks in at about 150 miles and will take you to 10 amazing places for less than $100. Assuming your car gets 25 miles to the gallon, and gas is around $5 a gallon, the gasoline part of this trip will cost you about $32. Most of the sites that you’ll visit on this trip are absolutely free to explore, and the few that charge a fee will still keep you and one or more companions under $100 total for the trip. Pack lunch and some snacks and get ready to hit the road. Brookings to Florence, here we come!

1. Azalea Park; Brookings - Free

Azalea Park in Brookings is a great (and free) place to start your adventure. This 33-acre park has 1,100 azaleas, trails, a bandshell, a playground, and more.

2. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor - Free

This long and narrow state park is free to visit and covers 12 miles of the coast north of Brookings. You can enjoy beach access and sand dunes here, plus 300+-year-old Sitka spruce trees.

Join Waypoint of View on this look at the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and the incredible views you will see when you hike and explore the area:

3. Wreckage of the Mary D. Hume; Gold Beach - Free

The Mary D. Hume was a steamer built in 1881. She had a long career hauling goods from San Francisco to Oregon, served as a fishing boat in Alaska, and also worked as a tugboat. She retired in 1977 and returned to this area; she sank in this spot in 1985. Today, the Mary D. Hume is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

4. Prehistoric Gardens; Port Orford - $14

Prehistoric Gardens is one of the only activities on this list. Currently, the cost to enter is $14 per adult with discounts for children and seniors, but check the website to see if that's current when you read this. This roadside attraction was founded in 1955 and features 23 life-sized dinosaur sculptures along a forested path.

5. Cape Blanco Lighthouse - $5 Day Use Fee Per Car; $2 Tours

The Cape Blanco Lighthouse was built in 1870 and is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon coast. Tours are available, but if you want to skip that part, there are lovely trails nearby as well.

6. Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint; Bandon - Free

Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint is a lovely section of beach and rocks named for the offshore island that looks like a woman's face.

Take a tour of the Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint with the Lowmads in this cute video:

7. Shore Acres State Park; Coos Bay - $5 Day Use Fee Per Car

Shore Acres State Park is a 745-acre state park with 5 acres of formal gardens and fantastic ocean views.

8. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area; Reedsport - Free

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a true Oregon gem. It is 31,566 acres in size and some of the 100,000-year-old dunes are as tall as 500 feet.

9. Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area; Reedsport - Free

Not far from Oregon Dunes, the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area will give you the opportunity to explore several different ecosystems and almost definitely see some of the 100 elk that live there.

10. Exploding Whale Memorial Park; Florence - Free

In 1970, a sperm whale washed ashore at the site of this park and died. To get rid of the carcass, locals decide to blow it up with dynamite - and that event did not go as planned. Stop by this park to learn more about this interesting story, and to take great photos of the Siuslaw River Bridge.

If ever there was an unusual reason to create a state park it is this one. Learn more about the Exploding Whale Memorial Park in this quick video:

With many free places to visit in OR, planning an affordable road trip is possible. Based on the prices of things at the time this post was written, this road trip will cost you well under $100 for two people. Gas will cost $20 to $40 depending on gas prices (and your vehicle), two parks with day-use fees will cost you $10, a tour of the Cape Blanco lighthouse will cost $2 each, and entry to Prehistoric Gardens will cost $14 each. Add that all up and you'll still have a little bit left over for snacks. Get out there and start exploring! You’ll love this memorable road trip!

Looking for more great affordable trips in Oregon to try? Check out this list for more unforgettable road trips to take in Oregon.