Is there an alternate route for Deadmans pass in Oregon?

[bacabunch]

I'm heading to the coast from Idaho and I'm looking for an alternate route by passing deadmans pass above Pendleton. We are considering leaving early to try to get up the pass in the morning to avoid some heat!

Thanks,
Ben

[bacabunch]

Sorry guys, we are traveling from boise to lincoln city Oregon, my concern is coming back and climbing cabbage patch/deadmans pass.

[jhlady]

Not sure where in Idaho you are coming from or where on the coast you are headed, but you might consider going west out of Vale, OR on either Hwy. 26 or Hwy. 20. Both would bypass the Pendleton area and the freeway. Hwy. 20 is probably flatter and would put you into Bend, OR and you could continue on west from there. Hwy. 26 has some grades over the Ochoco mountains which are beautiful, but a bit more challenging. Hwy. 26 could bring you into Redmond, OR and you could continue west from there to Eugene and further to the coast at Florence. Hope this helps.

[TexasShadow]

ditto to the above posts. trucks and motorhomes and 5th wheels all use it every day. it's not like a lot of passes that are narrow and winding with switchbacks, etc.

[Thermoguy]

HWY 204 or Elgin Hwy, but I wouldn't say it is better. I have driven it with a trailer and it is OK, but the better option is I-84.

[Second_Chance]

Immigrant Hill is the popular name for what is correctly called Cabbage Hill and is often mislabeled as Deadman's Pass which is a rest area on I-84. Going east to west, it's the descent of Cabbage Hill that's the issue - 6 miles of 6% downgrade. The road has multiple lanes and there are separate speed limits posted for trucks based on weight (from 37 MPH down to 18 MPH). We just pulled in with the slowest group of trucks and went down the hill in second gear with the exhaust brake doing its job. Having traveled that route and looking again at the map, I don't know of a better route.

Rob

Edited to correct typo.