Interstate 84 (I-84)

Portland, OR to Echo, UT (western section)

Interstate 84

Portland, OR to Echo, UT (western section)

Interstate 84's western section is a primary freight corridor linking Portland and the Pacific Northwest to Salt Lake City and the Intermountain West. The highway follows the Columbia River Gorge before turning south through the Blue Mountains near Pendleton, Oregon, then crosses the Snake River Plain and southern Idaho. The Blue Mountains section — particularly the Cabbage Hill descent near Pendleton — is the corridor's most notorious hazard, with sustained 6–7% grades and a documented history of runaway truck incidents.

Length
777 miles
Risk Rating
MODERATE
Risk Factors
Blue Mountains grades (Cabbage Hill, Pendleton OR) Columbia River Gorge high winds Snake River Plain summer heat and tire stress Winter ice on mountain sections RV traffic on Oregon mountain grades
Notorious Segments
  • Cabbage Hill / Emigrant Hill descent, Pendleton OR
  • Columbia River Gorge wind zone, OR/WA border
Connected Hubs
Portland Salt Lake City
Regions
United States West Oregon Idaho Utah