Having fun with the Portland I-405 Loop

Outside of the sometimes stupefying drivers and traffic issues during rush hour, I love driving and cruising… and no, it didn’t spontaneously happen when I got my S5. It started ever since I got my license and a car. I guess it was a way for me to get out of the house, clear my mind and see the sights of the Portland metro area and the Willamette Valley. Of course, my love for it grew even more each time I got a better car: a 1999 Ford Taurus SHO, my 2004 Audi A4 and now the Blue Bomber, er Dalek-5, 2011 Audi S5.

Anyway, one of the routes that I like to take when I just want to just drive is the Portland Loop that is I-405. The first loop starts when I merge on to I-405 N from US Hwy 26 E, then drive up until I-405 N ends in a fork. The three-way fork gives you the option to continue on to I-5 N, out to Kirby Drive or the first kink in the loop, I-84 by way of I-5 S.

Of course, it makes sense as drivers that are dropped on to I-405 N would need a way to get on to I-5 S and I-84, but there’s an easier way for those coming from the Sunset Tunnel. Anyway, I continue on down I-5 S for a while, passing by the Rose Garden exit, the exit for Hwy 99E and come back to another fork in the road. This time, it is to either continue down I-5 S or head back up on to I-405 N. Continue on I-405 N and pass the Everett exit and I’ve just finished the first lap of the Portland Loop, I-405 N edition.

The second version of the loop starts off with merging on to I-405 S from US Hwy 26 E, then almost immediately cut over to I-5 N. If it were any other day that I take that route, I would normally jump off to I-84 E, but I would continue on I-5 N to drive this loop. I drive on, passing by the Rose Garden and take the I-405 S exit. To wrap up the first lap of the Portland Loop, I-405 S edition, I continue on down, skipping the US Hwy 26 W exit and jump back on to I-5 N.

If I am absolutely bored out of my mind and just want to kill time, I will do about 2-3 laps of the I-405 N edition. I usually do not do the I-405 S edition unless if I already coming down I-5 S from Vancouver or a jaunt out on Marine Drive. I have also not timed any of my lap runs, though I have considered recording the runs if I could get my hands on a GoPro HD camera mounted on the dash of my S5.

You don’t have to have a car from one of the Bavarian car maker to enjoy the Portland Loop. In fact, it can even be done in a cargo van, a city car, a motorcycle or a proper EV.