How far is McMinnville, OR from The Dalles, OR?

The driving distance from McMinnville, OR to The Dalles, OR is about 122.1 miles (196.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 101.5 miles (163.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
122.11 mi
02h 41m
Flight
101.53 mi
163.4 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from McMinnville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
101.53 mi
Kilometers
163.4 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.11 mi
Kilometers
196.52 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in The Dalles
Mon, May 25, 12:47 PM PDT
Return by in McMinnville
Mon, May 25, 3:28 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave McMinnville
2026-05-25T10:05
Arrive The Dalles
Mon, May 25, 12:47 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:08 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in McMinnville
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Troutdale
OR

City in Oregon, USA

From McMinnville
61 mi
01h 20m
To The Dalles
61.2 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Memorial Day

Light Rain

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph SSW
Destination
75°F
Memorial Day

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 25 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between McMinnville and The Dalles.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McMinnville and The Dalles.

  1. 1

    Start on Northeast 3rd Street

    59 m · 16 sec · Northeast 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Northeast Baker Street

    159 m · 11 sec · Northeast Baker Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Northeast 5th Street

    2399 ft · 47 sec · Northeast 5th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Northeast Johnson Street

    160 m · 16 sec · Northeast Johnson Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Northeast 3rd Street

    709 ft · 12 sec · Northeast 3rd Street

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Northeast Three Mile Lane

    3166 ft · 53 sec · Northeast Three Mile Lane

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight

    14 m · 1 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    1961 ft · 54 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Southeast Three Mile Lane

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Three Mile Lane

  10. 10

    Continue on Southeast Dayton Bypass

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Southeast Dayton Bypass

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Pacific Highway West

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Pacific Highway West

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Newberg-Dundee Bypass

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Newberg-Dundee Bypass

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Northeast Saint Paul Highway

    1319 ft · 29 sec · Northeast Saint Paul Highway

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Springbrook Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · South Springbrook Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Portland Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · East Portland Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Pacific Highway West

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Pacific Highway West

  17. 17

    Continue on Southwest Pacific Highway

    12.1 mi · 21 min · Southwest Pacific Highway

  18. 18

    Take the exit right toward I 5: Portland, Salem

    2296 ft · 60 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Seattle

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland Airport

    1011 ft · 17 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport, The Dalles

    1.5 km · 1 min

  23. 23

    Continue on Banfield Freeway

    6.6 mi · 9 min · Banfield Freeway

  24. 24

    Continue on Columbia River Highway

    74.6 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Columbia River Highway

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 east: The Dalles City Center

    1319 ft · 32 sec

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto West 2nd Street

    2242 ft · 38 sec · West 2nd Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto West 3rd Street

    1431 ft · 29 sec · West 3rd Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    830 ft · 17 sec · Washington Street

  29. 29

    Continue on East 7th Street

    1146 ft · 23 sec · East 7th Street

  30. 30

    Turn straight onto Kelly Avenue

    867 ft · 24 sec · Kelly Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn left onto East 10th Street

    725 ft · 16 sec · East 10th Street

  32. 32

    Turn right onto G Street

    46 m · 9 sec · G Street

  33. 33

    Turn right

    36 m · 9 sec

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between McMinnville and The Dalles.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
34 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Columbia River Highway
74.6 mi · 61%
Southwest Pacific Highway
12.1 mi · 10%
Banfield Freeway
6.56 mi · 5%
I 5
6.01 mi · 5%
Pacific Highway West
4.5 mi · 4%
Newberg-Dundee Bypass
4.19 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Columbia River Highway

Continue on Columbia River Highway

74.6 mi · 01h 26m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.6 mi
101.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Troutdale
01h 20m from McMinnville
Leave By
1:08 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving McMinnville and Partly Sunny near The Dalles.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from McMinnville to The Dalles?

The road trip is about 122.1 miles (196.5 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Troutdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61 miles from McMinnville and 61.2 miles from The Dalles.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 101.5 miles (163.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.34 one way or $42.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around McMinnville and Partly Sunny near The Dalles.

Stop Ideas Near Troutdale

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Troutdale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Hollybrook Park
Scenic stop 10.7 mi away

Hollybrook Park

Gresham , OR
535 SW Birdsdale Dr, Gresham, OR 97080, United States
Rating 4.5/5 88 reviews City park,Tourist attraction
Happy Valley City Hall
Meeting point 14.6 mi away

Happy Valley City Hall

Happy Valley , OR
16000 SE Misty Dr, Happy Valley, OR 97086
Rating 4.0/5 25 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 9.6 mi away

Gresham City Passport Office

Gresham , OR
City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy, Gresham, OR 97030
Rating 4.4/5 11 reviews Passport office
Gresham City Hall Park & Ride
Scenic stop 9.7 mi away

Gresham City Hall Park & Ride

Gresham , OR
1297 NW Eastman Pkwy, Gresham, OR 97030
Rating 3.8/5 52 reviews Park & ride

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Troutdale.

RAIL

Union Station

22 mi away
800 NW Sixth Ave.
BUS

Portland, OR

23 mi away
550 NW 6th Avenue
RAIL

Vancouver station

25 mi away
1301 West 11th Street
RAIL

Oregon City station

25 mi away
1757 Washington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between McMinnville and The Dalles. Straight-line distance: 101.53 mi (163.4 km).

McMinnville

#1 McMinnville

City in Oregon, USA

Population35,185
Coordinates45.2101200, -123.1987200
Altitude47
CountryUnited States
The Dalles

#2 The Dalles

City in and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, Unite States

Population15,581
Coordinates45.5945600, -121.1786800
Altitude77
CountryUnited States
Start: McMinnville (-123.19872, 45.21012)
End: The Dalles (-121.17868, 45.59456)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 197 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.31 gal
16.31 L · about $21.34
Round trip
$42.68
8.62 gal · 32.62 L
Estimated CO2
38.3 kg one way
Round trip: 76.6 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $21.34 $42.68
Mid-grade $5.34 $23.01 $46.01
Premium $5.57 $23.99 $47.98
Diesel $6.37 $27.44 $54.87

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Oregon · May 25, 2026

There is no time difference between McMinnville and The Dalles. The current time is 10:05:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.