Car rental Portland

A bohemian city of more than 600,000 residents, Portland sits in the north of Oregon, just across the water from Washington. The Wilamette river divides the central areas of the city in two, with several impressive bridges linking the adjacent banks.

Portland's roads are mostly arranged in a logical grid system, particularly on the east side of the Willamette. This makes it relatively simple to navigate the city, even if it’s your first time here. The west side isn’t quite as structured, but clear signposts and relatively uncongested roads should help you find your way. It’s worth noting that many of the roads here are one-way streets, so it's worth planning your journey in advance to avoid confusion.

Portland lies on Interstate 5 (I-5), the major route running down the US West Coast, all the way from the Canadian border to California. With car rental in Portland, you can follow this route to other cities within Oregon, such as the state capital Salem, or further afield to Albany and Eugene.

Set off on the I-84, which connects Portland with destinations to the east, including the stunning Mount Hood National Forest, Arlington and Boardman, before continuing south towards Boise, Idaho. When landing at Portland International Airport, you’ll arrive to the north of the city on the banks of the Columbia River. It’s around 12 kilometers from the heart of Portland via I-84.

The speed limit in business districts of Portland is 20mph (32kp/h), unless marked otherwise, but rises to 25mph (40kp/h) in residential areas. The speed limit on most highways is 65mph (104kp/h) but this rises to 70mph (112kp/h) on some sections. Driving while using a cell phone is against the law, unless you've got hands-free equipment, and you’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Unquestionably quirky, Portland is a hotbed of creativity and a city bathed in natural charm. The city boasts plenty of attractions to keep you occupied, including vibrant culture, delicious street food and peaceful green spaces in abundance. For many years Portland has been something of a hidden gem amid the Pacific Northwest, only recently gaining the appreciation it deserves.

Calming influence

The green lungs at the heart of Portland, Washington Park offers 400 acres of perfectly-manicured tranquility. It's located just off US 26, within easy reach of Downtown. Paid parking is available, with overflow spaces at the nearby Sunset Transit Center.

Within the park, you'll find the beautiful Japanese Garden. Recently expanded, visitors can now book tours that are complementary with admission. Next to this sits the International Rose Test Garden, best viewed during the summer months when you can enjoy thousands of the fragrant flowers in full bloom, the garden bursting to life in a haze of colour.

You'll find Oregon Zoo within the park, where you can see penguins, elephants and many more – perfect for families. The World Forestry Center, a museum offering a fascinating insight into the science of forests, is also a popular attraction for nature lovers.

By the waterfront

A short drive east will bring you to the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a scenic 2.5km stretch of greenery along the west bank of the Willamette River. Formerly little more than an unappealing highway, it has been reimagined and brought to life by a series of sculpted lawns and paths.

You can stroll, cycle or even rollerblade to your heart's content here, with the flowing water as a beautiful backdrop. If you're visiting in the summer, you'll find plenty of outdoor events and festivals being held in the park.

Brick by brick

Situated just a few blocks west is Pioneer Courthouse Square, the beating heart of Downtown, often described as 'Portland's living room'. A bustling square of 3,700 square meters, its floor is made up of distinctive red bricks inscribed with the names of Portland residents who donated money to fund the square's renovation in the early 1980s.

Here, you can have a well-earned break from all your sightseeing, taking advantage of the cafes, where you can settle down and watch the world passing by. If the weather is good, you might find open-air events taking place in the square, including concerts and markets. Meanwhile, every Friday night in summer the square hosts movies on a huge screen, where viewers can watch their favourite movies while enjoying the outdoors.

House and home

Rent a car in Portland and you’ll also be able to take the short drive to Pittock Mansion, not far from Washington Park. It's an impressively grand house that was built in the early 20^th century by newspaper entrepreneur Henry Pittock, which still retains many of its original features today.

You can pay to take a guided tour around the mansion or stroll around its attractive grounds – the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park is within easy reach from here too, giving another reason to visit. All this and many more attractions are on offer with Portland car rental.