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Three Capes Scenic Route, Tillamook Coast, Oregon
Photo: DimiTalen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives Oregon The Oregon Coast

Three Capes Scenic Route

OR 131 · Tillamook → Pacific City

Sweeping31 mi1 hr3,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 800 ftOne way
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The drive

The Three Capes Scenic Route strings together the headlands of the Tillamook coast. It starts in Tillamook on Bayocean Road, runs along the bay to Cape Meares, crosses the cape to Oceanside and Netarts, then climbs over Cape Lookout and continues past the Sand Lake area to Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda. Driven south, the capes come in the order Meares, Lookout, Kiwanda.

The Cape Meares Loop Road slid and was closed for a decade until a new alignment over the ridge opened. The new road has grades up to 12 percent. Plan on narrow, slow stretches and three twisty sections, at about miles 5 to 8, 9 to 11 and 18 to 22.

Along the way

  1. Tillamook (Bayocean Road)
  2. Cape Meares
  3. Oceanside
  4. Netarts Bay
  5. Cape Lookout
  6. Pacific City (Cape Kiwanda)
Elevation
3,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 800 ft
TillamookPacific City
Curves
Mostly gentle, with three twisty stretches
TillamookPacific City
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The new Cape Meares section has grades up to 12 percent and gates that close in severe winter weather such as ice or snow.
  • The road is narrow and slow in places, so allow more than the drive time if you plan to stop at the capes.
  • Heavy rain has closed parts of the Sandlake to Pacific City stretch in past winters; check conditions before a winter drive.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check ODOT TripCheck.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Three Capes Scenic Route take?

From Tillamook to Pacific City this route is 31.1 miles and takes about 1 hour of driving. Stops at Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda add to that.

Is the Three Capes Scenic Route open in winter?

It is generally open, but the Cape Meares Loop Road closes in extreme winter weather such as ice and snow. Check TripCheck before you go.

Is the Cape Meares Loop open again?

Yes. The Cape Meares Loop Road is open on a new alignment over the ridge, built after a slide closed the old road for a decade.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Three Capes Scenic Route, from Tillamook to Pacific City