Oregon Highway US 20 (Central Oregon Highway)

[jimlund]

Any one have experience on Oregon US 20 highway (Central Oregon Highway)

[litespeed]

Looking at the map I decided that US 20 had too much empty road. I took US26 to the north instead. This is high desert at its finest and one of my favorite highways. You really feel you are on top of the world. Plus there is very, very little traffic. The towns all have campgrounds and fine cafes or restaurants. Many passes and lots of climbing but I had already gone up the east coast and across the country so I didn't even get winded.

[jamawani]

Depends on where you are starting and ending.

I've done both US 20 and US 26 - plus Paulina Hwy and forest roads in the Ochocos.
If you are going between Sisters and Ontario the distance is the same, less elevation on US 20.
US 20 thru Malheur Canyon is really nice, but west of Burns is pretty barren.
Because US 20 is straighter/flatter is has slightly more traffic - both have low traffic.
US 26 has better cyclist-oriented services since it has been part of the Trans-Am for 40 years.
Heading west, you have some kick-ass climbs between Ontario and Austin on US 26.

Paulina Hwy is one option from either US 20 at Burns or US 26 at John Day.
Pretty remote and few camping options east of Paulina because mostly private land.
Some of the paved roads in the Ochoco N.F. are very nice, scenic, zero car riding
- but poor pavement and require some dirt riding to connect.