Travel Oregon presents road trip planning made easy

Travel Oregon and the Oregon Department of Transportation have launched interactive story maps detailing the abundance of Scenic Byway driving routes throughout the Pacific Northwest state.

The maps serve as a complementary resource to the popular printed version of the Scenic Byways guide as well as Travel Oregon’s Scenic Byways website.

With 29 designed Scenic Byways in Oregon, more than any other state in the US, there are a plethora of options for travellers. They showcase Oregon’s natural beauty, history and culture, varied geology, wildlife, and awe-inspiring views.

The new story map is an online map with text, photos, and links to audio and video.

Users can pan, zoom and explore the map for a more in-depth look into the many options each route unlocks.

The new interactive map divides these routes into four sections: All-American Roads, National Scenic Byways, Oregon State Scenic Byways and Tour Routes.

These routes can all be accessed and researched through the new website, which details driving distances in metrics and minutes, and recommends the best time of the year to drive a particular route.

“We wanted to give people more opportunities to explore our unique byways, so they can be inspired to visit new destinations and see all the wonders Oregon has to offer,” said ODOT Senior Planner Sandra Hikari, who coordinated the new resource.

“The new site makes you hungry to explore the area, to experience the culture or natural beauty – or whatever else you might find along that route.”

The site includes an audio tour of one of the state’s newest scenic routes, Marys Peak to the Pacific Scenic Byway. There is also a Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway’s audio guide.

Hikari says having these two audio options will hopefully encourage development of audio tours for other Oregon byways.

Interest from the UK is expected to grow for trips to Oregon with the launch of direct British Airways flights to Portland from London next summer.

To access the new interactive map, visit www.Oregonbywaystorymap.org

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