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Umpqua Highway: Drain to Reedsport, Umpqua River, Oregon
Photo: A'eron Blackman · CC BY 3.0 · cropped

Drives Oregon The Oregon Coast

Umpqua Highway: Drain to Reedsport

OR 38 · Drain → Reedsport

Leisurely50 mi1 hr1,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 400 ftOne way
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The drive

The Umpqua Highway is Oregon 38, a riverside two-lane that follows the Umpqua River west from Drain, near I-5, to Reedsport on the coast. It is a low-key drive, mostly gentle curves, and the draw is the river and the valley it runs through, with Elkton and Scottsburg along the way.

Near the coast the highway passes the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, three miles east of Reedsport. The BLM says a herd of 60 to 100 Roosevelt elk lives in the pastures year-round and is visible almost every day. The drive ends at US 101 in Reedsport.

Along the way

  1. Drain
  2. Elkton
  3. Scottsburg
  4. Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area
  5. Reedsport (US-101)
Elevation
1,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 400 ft
DrainReedsport
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
DrainReedsport
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area has no fee, a kiosk, restrooms and parking, and pullouts along the highway; stay behind the fencing.
  • Cell coverage is spotty at the elk viewing area.
  • Dean Creek's pullouts line three miles of Highway 38, so you can stop along the road.

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 Highway 38 from Drain to Reedsport take?

Highway 38 from Drain to Reedsport is 49.8 miles and takes about 1 hour without stops.

Where can you see elk on the Umpqua Highway?

The Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, three miles east of Reedsport on Highway 38, has a year-round herd of Roosevelt elk. There is no fee.

Is Highway 38 a twisty road?

Not very. The Umpqua Highway is rated Leisurely, with mostly gentle curves along the river.

What you get in the app

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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 Umpqua Highway: Drain to Reedsport, from Drain to Reedsport