There's also a significant amount of traffic during Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings as people come into the area from out of town. The evening rush hour generally starts around 4:30 p.m. During this time, most notable routes have ample congestion with the freeways in the area backed up. Typically, the morning commute begins around 7 a.m. However, during rush hour, commute times may increase drive times. What to Expect Driving at Different Times of Day in Portlandĭriving through Portland during the middle of the day is generally not too bad. The state routes of 8, 10, 43, and 99E are also major thoroughfares through the city. Other highways in the area include I-405, U.S. It also intersects I-84 and the Portland International Airport at Exit 24. It connects to Oregon 43, 99E, and 213, among other stops. Locally, it is known as the Veterans Memorial Highway, with its north to south route through the metro area. It links the eastern area of Portland to Vancouver, Washington. I-205 is another major freeway serving the metro area. I-84 is another major thoroughfare running from the Columbia River Gorge to the eastern edge of Portland's Troutdale area. The freeway runs through Tualatin, Tigard, and Lake Oswego and reaches Portland exit 294. With the opening of the Marquam Bridge came the connection between the Baldock Expressway and the East Bank Freeway, providing access directly to I-5. It wasn't until 1966 that a significant freeway opened up in the city. To make directions easier, all avenues in Portland run from north to south while streets run from east to west. The city is divided into five sections for street prefixes: Southwest, Northwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast. Get to Know Your Major Roads in PortlandĪ combination of good local roadways and a standard street grid, and several freeways running throughout the Portland Metro area make navigation easier here than in other larger cities. Ready to shorten your daily commute? Keep reading to learn all about drive times, alternate routes, and commuting in Portland. Before buying homes in Portland, prospective residents research what highways and roads they'll use every day. Portland's roadways are extensive, offering a range of ways to get around the city. Whether you're a lifelong local or you're just thinking about moving to Portland, it's helpful to learn more about the local roads and commutes. Portland is a city of over 653,000 people, making it one of the most populated in the state.

I5 traffic portland