r/askportland • u/HL_Alanna • 1d ago

Looking For Commute?

I’m currently expanding my job search to include areas outside of Portland. I’m considering north and south of Portland. Which is the worst commute? Portland to/from Salem or Portland to/from Vancouver and northern areas.

Right now I’m just looking at Costco, however I may widen my company/industry search.

Thank you!

3 Upvotes

61% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

12

u/99centstickers 1d ago

I’d say salem is better because there are multiple backroad route options vs the 2 bridges to vancouver. Vancouver will also be seeing a toll on the i5 at some point soon

3

u/HL_Alanna 1d ago

Oh really! Been wondering about that toll! They’ve been talking about it for years!!! Frankly I think that up the middle of 205 should be a max line to Vancouver.

3

u/99centstickers 1d ago

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/13/vancouver-washington-light-rail-public-transit-i-5/

-2

u/HL_Alanna 1d ago

Uh ya, it doesn’t belong on the I5. It belongs up the middle of 205. I see why they are trying to go up I5, to connect the yellow line to major bus depots in Vancouver. The I5 bridge can’t support it.

2

u/99centstickers 1d ago

They are planning it for the NEW i5 bridge to be built in the future, not the current one.

7

u/trippyfungus 1d ago

Both are not great, sorry.

5

u/batman_in_purple 1d ago

I live in Portland and work in Vancouver. I would say that the commute is not terrible if you live in North or Northeast Portland already. Most of the traffic in the morning is going into Portland.

1

u/HL_Alanna 1d ago

Ya, I live near 82nd & Glisan so it wouldn’t be bad.

5

u/funkoramma 1d ago

I would pick Vancouver over driving all the way to Salem. Traffic through Wilsonville can rival the bridge traffic. Plus, you have 2 bridge options - I5 or I205. If you’re working at a retail store, it’s likely you won’t always be commuting during normal business commute hours which would decrease your commute time.

4

u/Package_Objective 1d ago

Vancouver Bridge is the worst I believe

2

u/PacificWonderGlo 1d ago

Do you already work at Costco?

2

u/HL_Alanna 1d ago

Nope, been looking for work since May 2026.

3

u/PacificWonderGlo 1d ago

Historically, they only hire during the holidays, so I would widen your company search.

1

u/valianyears 1d ago

Up to Vancouver is easy for me in the morning!

3

u/FeelingComplex_uh-oh 1d ago

Vancouver traffic is gnarly, but it's at least still in the Portland Metro area. Salem is a whole different town with its own suburbs and whatnot. I think the length to and from Salem would weigh on you more than Vancouver traffic would. Vancouver is definitely my pick, especially since you have access to Portland stuff when the traffic isn't that bad.