US-97 in Oregon: Madras, Redmond, Bend, Newberry Volcano, and La Pine

[@edzanjero353]

Drove 97 for years, a few tidbits of reflection: 10 years ago snow in the Bend-Redmond was much heavier than in more recent years; 97 is a very, very dangerous hwy since many drivers are speeding idiots; after snowstorms 97 is impassable on places until snowplows arrive; the Chemult area has the highest snowfall in the state outside of the mountain peaks; Silver Lake cutoff-road is a very scenic, remote shortcut-road from 97 over to State hwy 31 and Silver Lake; the streets of Bend are rarely plowed in the winter for reasons unknown; Bend is obviously a very well managed city, highly desireable destination for visiting and livability, very expensive. Great vid giving many great memories. Thanks, Kyle

[@GreatAussieDrives]

Very nicely done as always! Oregon looking very green and beautiful 😄

[@InterstateKyle]

Thank you!

[@jnrivers]

Lived here most of my life (Bend / Redmond). Didn't see this place for what it is until I moved away in 2017. Came back in 2022, it's a jewel of the PNW.

[@lesewing]

Used to to Madras every summer to visit my grandparents.

[@rj7411]

Outstanding Kyle! Thanks.

[@InterstateKyle]

Thank you!

[@dwood78part23]

Oh yes, Bend- home to the last Blockbuster store still up. & if I ever visit the city I'll be sure to check it out. Despite being located east of the Cascades, this part of Oregon is surprising very green given the rain shadow effect the mountain range has on the areas located East of it. & now that you're heading back toward CA, it's a shame your 2022 trip to the Pacific Northwest is slowly coming to an end.

[@dvferyance]

Well you don't have much time. I heard it's closing at the end of the year.

[@InterstateKyle]

@@dvferyance Tomorrow is the last day it's open :(

[@dvferyance]

@@InterstateKyle KOIN tv out of Portland has reported that it isn't closing they were just rumors.

[@mejercit]

I stayed in Bend last year as part of my Grand Road Trip, and traveled south of 97 from Bend though La Pine, Klamath Falls, and them to Weed to connect with Interstate 5. 27:21 the last traffic signal on US 97 southbound in Oregon. The next signalized intersection is in Weed, California.

[@Muddywatersist]

head-on collisions are a daily occurrence in Central Oregon. This wasn't filmed this year, the north end of 97 through Bend has a new bypass to miss all the lights.

[@term-827]

Wait, im literally watching my commute, what the hell am i doing here.

[@bobbibaker5877]

Me too!!! (ok, I turn off at Evergreen in Redmond)

[@bobbibaker5877]

I agree US-97 needs to be an interstate. The traffic has increased dramatically since I moved to Madras in 2021.

[@jefferyronson8950]

Madras is my old stomping ground. I lived there in the early 1970s.

[@InterstateKyle]

That's cool!

[@JacobDao-Faye]

Very interesting how they have bike lanes and pedestrian crossings on the freeway. Also bizarre how the limit reduces from 65 to 45 as you go from undivided highway to freeway, but makes sense seeing the road.

[@BillSchlichting]

The first time I ever drove the Bend Parkway when it was first built, I thought it was a joke. I think overall, Oregon has this aversion to building proper freeways on heavily-traveled roads that aren't Interstates.

[@mattwiser8406]

Nice video as usual: A little surprised that part of Oregon is pretty green, with some decent forests. Too bad you missed the last Blockbuster video store in Bend! You could say that the '80s and '90s still live on in that store.

[@InterstateKyle]

Thanks Matt!

[@Radsinqer]

It's brown most of the year. With all the green it looks like this was filmed in the middle of the afternoon in early summer 2022 or 23 as the north end of Bend on 97 is very different now from a bypass being built in 2024 between Empire and Cooley.

[@markpfeifer1402]

Please build a 97 bypass for south Redmond! Bend got their traffic lights removed, Redmond needs to be next!

[@travist.7279]

A lot of improvements on U.S. 97 since the late 90's. Back then, Bend was just starting to expand. Most of 97 was still 2-lane getting through Bend, Deschutes, and Redmond. It was like pulling teeth. The improvements appear to make the drive easier. But, everything has that sterile "new" look. Back in the late 70's, it was a much quieter and more pleasant drive.

[@InterstateKyle]

I think Bend has doubled in population since 1990-2000.

[@marykrema427]

Going too fast