This excerpt from a 1915 Bandon Western World article explains the various ways to get to Bandon:
“There are three ways of getting to Bandon:
“Take the steamer Elizabeth from San Francisco; fare $10.
“Take either the Alliance or the Breakwater from Portland to Marshfield (now Coos Bay), then take a train to Coquille at 9 o’clock connecting with the Coquille River boat, landing you at noon the same day in Bandon; combined fare, not counting lodgings, is approximately $12.
“Over stage from Roseburg, Oregon, to Myrtle Point, from which place you take the river boat to Bandon as before; fare being $5 for stage and $1 boat.
“We recommend boat clear through, in the winter time at least. It is quicker and pleasanter for those not afflicted with seasickness.”
Now, over 100 years later, it’s a bit easier to get here. It is possible to travel to Bandon by car, bus, airplane, and even bicycle.
Driving to Bandon
Regardless of where you’re coming from or how you choose to get there, the drive to Bandon is bound to be a beautiful one!
From the North (Eugene, Portland, Washington State)
Depending on the driving experience you want, there are several routes to get you to Bandon.
•The shortest and quickest route is to take I-5 south through Eugene and Cottage Grove to exit 162, and take Highway 38 west for approximately 57 miles. You will follow the beautiful Umpqua River as it winds its way west to Reedsport where Highway 38 intersects with Highway 101. Turn left (south) on Highway 101 and travel approximately 51 miles to Bandon.
•Another option is to take I-5 south to exit 195B in Eugene, and take Highway 126 for approximately 66 miles. You will pass through the towns of Veneta and Mapleton and follow the Suislaw River to Florence where Highway 126 intersects with Highway 101. Turn left (south) on Highway 101 and travel approximately 82 miles to Bandon.
•An alternate choice is to take I-5 south through Eugene and Roseburg to exit 119, and take Highway 42, following the Coquille River through Myrtle Point and Coquille for approximately 62 miles. Turn left onto Highway 42S and continue approximately 17.5 miles to Bandon.
Approximate driving distances and times (using Highway 38) to Bandon from:
•Seattle – 420 miles, 7 hours.
•Portland – 250 miles, 4 hours and 15 minutes.
•Eugene – 140 miles, 2 hours and 40 minutes.
From the South (San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles)
Depending on the driving experience you want, there are several routes to get you to Bandon.
From The Bay Area
There are two main routes between The Bay Area and Bandon. One is several miles shorter, but they take approximately the same amount of time.
•The most scenic and shortest (in distance) route is to follow Highway 101 north through Garberville, Eureka/Arcata and the Redwoods, all the way up the coast to Bandon.
•The longer (in distance) route is to travel on I-80 and I-505 to I-5. Drive north on I-5 north for approximately 355 miles to exit 112. Take Highway 99 north for approximately 9 miles to Winston, then turn left (west) on Highway 42 through Myrtle Point and Coquille for approximately 62 miles. Turn left onto Highway 42S and continue approximately 17.5 miles to Bandon.
From Sacramento
•The most common route from the Sacramento area and south is to follow I-5 north to exit 112. Take Highway 99 north for approximately 9 miles to Winston, then turn left (west) on Highway 42 through Myrtle Point and Coquille for approximately 62 miles. Turn left onto Highway 42S and continue approximately 17.5 miles to Bandon.
•An alternate and more scenic, although much longer route is to take I-80 west approximately 51 miles to Vallejo and then Highway 37 approximately 20 miles to Novato. From Novato, drive Highway 101 north approximately 435 miles north to Bandon.
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Approximate driving distances and times to Bandon from:
•San Francisco (Highway 101) – 464 miles, 8 hours and 30 minutes
•San Francisco (I-5) – 528 miles, 8 hours and 30 minutes
•Sacramento (I-5) – 473 miles, 7 hours and 30 minutes
•Sacramento (Highway 101) – 515 miles, 9 hours and 15 minutes
Flying to Bandon
Both United Airlines (from San Francisco and seasonally from Denver) and PenAir (from Portland, OR) fly into the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend, approximately 28 miles north of Bandon. For more information, see their website.
Several more major airlines fly into Eugene (EUG), located approximately 130 miles from Bandon. Visit their website for more information.
A third option is flying into the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR), approximately 165 miles southeast of Bandon. It is served by several commercial airlines. Visit their website for more information.
If you wish to incorporate Portland into your travels, you can fly there and travel the 260 miles by car to Bandon. Visit the Portland Airport’s (PDX) website for more information.
Taking the Bus to Bandon
Curry Public Transit’s Coastal Express runs daily except weekends and holidays between North Bend (27 miles to the north of Bandon) and Smith River, California (96 miles to the south of Bandon). It stops at the towns of Coos Bay, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach, Brookings, and Harbor along the way. See the Curry Public Transit’s website for more information.
Biking to Bandon
Many people choose to see the unique towns and beautiful scenery of the Oregon Coast on bicycles. Check out Coos Bay author Tom Baake’s book Oregon South Coast Bike Ride Guide to read about the South Coast section of the Oregon Coast Bicycle Route as well as fun rides to do in the Bandon area or see the following links for more information on riding the Oregon Coast.
Oregon Department of Transportation Bike Routes and Maps
Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon Coast Bike Route Publication
Ride Oregon Ride Oregon Coast Bike Route
Ride Oregon Ride Oregon Coast Bike Route