Getting to the Willapa Bay
Getting to Willapa Bay
Getting to Willapa Bay is part of the experience. This is not a place you pass through by accident. It sits off the main routes, and that separation is part of what has kept it the way it is.
Plan the drive with intention, and you will arrive in the right frame of mind.
Where You Are Going
Willapa Bay sits on the southwest Washington coast, north of the Columbia River and west of the I-5 corridor. The closest towns for most visitors are Ocean Park and Oysterville.
There is no airport here. There are no major highways running through town. You come because you mean to.
From Portland
Most visitors come from Portland. The fastest routes generally take between 2.5 and 3 hours, depending on traffic and weather. You will see a few options suggested by mapping apps. They are not equal.
The Recommended RouteHighway 4 on the Washington side is the route we recommend. It follows the Columbia River for much of the drive, is quieter, and feels less rushed. While it is usually about seven minutes longer than routes through Seaside or Astoria, it is a noticeably prettier and calmer drive.
If you want to arrive already unwound, this is the way to go.
Alternate RoutesHighway 26 through Seaside and Highway 30 through Astoria are both faster on paper. They also tend to be busier, especially on weekends and during summer. They work. They are just not as pleasant.
From Seattle
From Seattle, plan on roughly 4 to 4.5 hours. The drive takes you south through the I-5 corridor and then west toward the coast. Traffic through Olympia and Tacoma can add time, especially on Fridays.
Once you leave the interstate, the pace changes quickly.
Final Miles MatterThe last stretch into Ocean Park and Oysterville is slower and quieter. Roads narrow. Services thin out. Cell service becomes unreliable in places.
This is normal. Download directions ahead of time and do not rush the final miles. They are part of the transition from where you were to where you are going.
What to Know Before You Arrive
- Fuel up before leaving the main highways.
- Do not rely on cell service for navigation.
- Weather can change quickly near the coast.
- Restaurants and stores keep local hours, not city hours.
Arriving prepared makes the visit easier and more enjoyable.
When to Come
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
- Summer brings longer days and more visitors.
- Fall and winter are calmer, moodier, and often beautiful in their own way.
There is no wrong season. There are only different versions of the place.