Interstate 205 Oregon / Washington

Interstate 205 Oregon
Interstate 205 Washington
Tualatin, OR ↔ Salmon Creek, WA•36.64 miles

Overview

OR 212 at Interstate 205 in Clackamas.
Interstate 205 is generally a six lane freeway that bypasses Portland by way of Oregon City and Portland International Airport. The right of way for I-205 is wide enough to accommodate future expansion. 08/27/06

Interstate 205 is the eastern bypass of the Portland metropolitan area. The mileage based exit numbering system continues from Oregon north into Washington. Fully opened in 1983 with the opening of the Glenn Jackson Bridge over the Columbia River, the first section of Interstate 205 to begin construction was the bridge over the Willamette River in West Linn, in 1968.

To avoid the Interstate Bridge north of Downtown Portland on Interstate 5, I-205 is a recommended alternate route for through traffic.

Mileage by State

Oregon26.07 mi
Washington10.57 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2021 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

Construction of Interstate 205, the East Portland Freeway, was delayed throughout the 1970s as a result of a series of challenges related to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).1 Nevertheless, I-205 was completed in stages:

Interstate 205 was the last spur or bypass Interstate route to be constructed in Oregon.

Portland inset on the 1971 Oregon Official Highway Map
The 1971 Oregon Official Highway Map shows the initial section of Interstate 205 linking I-5 at Tualatin with U.S. 99E in Oregon City.
Portland inset on 1975 AAA Oregon Map
Interstate 205 was extended north from Oregon City to Woodstock Boulevard / Exit 17 in southeastern Portland by 1975.

North End Interstate 5 ‐ Salmon Creek, WA

Interstate 205 North at Interstate 5

Exit 36 leaves I-5 north for NE 134th St at Salmon Creek, Washington

The final exit from Interstate 205 north ahead of return to I-5 connects with NE 134th Street at the census designated place of Salmon Creek. 07/16/23

Exit 36 leaves I-5 north for NE 134th St at Salmon Creek, Washington I-205 north end at Salmon Creek, WA

Interstate 5 South at Interstate 205

I-5 south at NE 179th St, 1.5 miles from I-205 at Mt. Vista, WA

Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 9 for NE 179th Street to Mount Vista. I-205 splits with the freeway next in 1.5 miles. 07/20/23

I-5 south at NE 179th St, 1.5 miles from I-205 at Mt. Vista, WA One mile ahead of the split with I-205 on I-5 south at Mt. Vista, WA Sign schematic of the I-5/205 separation at Salmon Creek, WA I-5 south a half mile from Exit 7 / I-205 to Salem, Oregon Two lanes part ways from I-5 south for I-205 around Portland, Oregon

North End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 205 at Interstate 5

I-205 north at NE 134th St in 2009

The replacement of the sign bridge at Exit 36 dropped Washington State University (WSU) at Vancouver for the last exit from I-205 northbound. Photo by Doug Kerr (09/09/09).

I-205 north at NE 134th St in 2009 Removed end shield for Interstate 205 north Replaced overhead for I-205 / Exit 7 on I-5 south at Mt. Vista, WA I-5 south at Exit 7 to I-205 in 2009

South End Interstate 5 ‐ Tualatin, OR

Interstate 205 South at Interstate 5

One mile east of Interstate 5 on I-205 southbound at Tualatin, OR

Interstate 205 advances west from Stafford to I-5 and the city of Tualatin. 07/20/23

One mile east of Interstate 5 on I-205 southbound at Tualatin, OR SW 65th Avenue crosses I-205 east of the end at I-5 in Tualatin, OR The south end of Interstate 205 in Tualatin, Oregon

Interstate 5 North at Interstate 205

Two miles south of I-205 along I-5 north at Elligsen Rd

Exit 286 leaves I-5 north to Stafford and North Wilsonville. The ensuing interchange connects with Interstate 205 northbound. 07/16/23

Two miles south of I-205 along I-5 north at Elligsen Rd I-5 straddles the Tualatin, Oregon city line north to I-205. Diagrammatic sign showing the Portland, Oregon Interstate system I-205 branches east from I-5 to Stafford and Oregon City, OR Exit 288 departs I-5 north for Interstate 205 at Tualatin, OR

Interstate 5 South at Interstate 205

I-5 advances a half mile south from Nyberg St to I-205 in Tualatin, OR

The first reference of Interstate 205 north on I-5 south appears a half mile ahead of Exit 288 at Nyberg Street. 07/20/23

I-5 advances a half mile south from Nyberg St to I-205 in Tualatin, OR Five lanes continue south from Nyberg St to I-205 in Tualatin, Oregon I-5 south at Exit 288 for I-205 north to Oregon City, Oregon

South End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 205 South at Interstate 5

I-205 south at I-5 - 2005

Interstate 205 at the Prosperity Park Road underpass prior to six lane expansion west to I-5. Photo by Chris Elbert (04/24/05).

I-205 south at I-5 - 2005 I-205 south at I-5 - 2005

Interstate 5 South at Interstate 205

Removed overhead for I-205 that was posted 1.5 miles ahead of Exit 288

1.5 miles ahead of Exit 288 for I-205 north on Interstate 5 southbound. This assembly was removed during 2018 construction expanding the Lower Boones Ferry Road entrance ramp with ramp meters. 08/27/06

Removed overhead for I-205 that was posted 1.5 miles ahead of Exit 288 I-5 south at Exit 289, 0.75 miles from I-205. I-5 south ahead of I-205 in Tualatin, OR prior to expansion I-5 south at I-205 north in 2006

References

  1. Interstate 50th Anniversary: The Story of Oregon's Interstates.
Updated February 1, 2024