Hire a car at Portland Oregon International Airport and you can be in the heart of the Rose City in 25 minutes. Drive out of the airport, join the I-205 southbound and connect onto the I-84. On highways in the state of Oregon, the limit varies from 55mph to 70mph.

The I-5 is the major north-south route which runs through the city. It starts thousands of miles away, in the southern city of San Diego – it would take you 17 hours away to drive there. However, northwards, the I-5 takes you to Seattle in around three hours, perfect for a weekend break in the Emerald City.

If you want a day at the beach, US Route 26 is the ticket, whisking you from the urban heart of Portland to the west coast in an hour and a half. The same route, but eastbound, delivers a completely different experience, winding deep into the Mount Hood National Forest.

Portland follows the classic US grid layout, with numbers and compass directions in the street names helping you get your bearings. Many of these routes are one way, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead when you’re driving somewhere specific. The standard speed limit in the centre is 20mph.

Drive across the city’s most impressive brides and see Portland from above. Hawthorne Bridge soars over the Williamette River, taking you west towards Oregon Zoo. Further north, the blue-tinted towers of St Johns Bridge are instantly recognisable.

There are five on-street parking zones in Portland, with close to 15,000 spaces available for use. Central spaces in Downtown District cost around $2 per hour, while further out you can find spaces starting at $1 per hour. There are also a variety of multi-storey car parks. Find out more on The City of Portland Oregon website.

From the hipster hangouts, to the quaint national parks, there's plenty to see and do in Portland. And, if you hire a car from Portland Oregon International Airport, you’ll be able to travel between the fascinating destinations of both Washington and Oregon.

Weird and wonderful Portland

Oregon’s largest city is about ten miles south of the airport, on the south bank of the Columbia River, and serves as the state border with Washington. The city has acquired a bohemian reputation thanks to a wide range of green initiatives. Portland is particularly known for the popularity of cycling - the Rodwell Trail and the Jurassic Cycle Trails are the perfect place to head to if you're a biking fan.

With the tagline "Keep Portland Weird", you'll find a host of bizarre attractions within the city, all offering visitors something unique and different. The ‘Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum’ is home to a wide range of peculiar exhibits, including Al Capone's safe, whereas The Hat Museum will give you an insight deep into the history of the humble headpiece.

Oregon’s great outdoors

From the centre of Portland you’ll probably be able spot the cone of Mount Hood rising over the horizon. It’s just a 50 mile drive east to find this 11,249ft volcano, with its snow-capped summit poking up from the Cascade mountain range.

You’ll find more accessible forests and foothills closer to the city, and you’ll be able to reach some spectacular hiking and biking trails. Explore Forest Park, with more than 70 miles of trails, or spend an afternoon in the tranquillity of Washington Park, with a huge rose garden and 15 miles of footpaths. Look out for cherry orchards in all directions, especially during the spring blossom season, as they will create an enchanting feel to the trip. Cherries are a local delicacy, with the state producing some of the finest seasonal products across the USA.

Exploring Salem

The famous city of Salem, can be found among the leafy hills to the south of Portland. You’ll find the most striking landmark is the State Capitol building, which is a distinctive art deco structure. It was built of white marble in 1938 and is topped by a gold-plated bronze statue of an early pioneer.

The city serves as a cultural capital to the state too, so look out for the diverse collection displayed in the Hallie Ford Museum of Art alongside the Capitol. Take a trip to the Willamette Heritage Centre to see a collection of old buildings relocated on the site of an old mill, but today has become a memorable five-acre outdoor museum.

With all this and more at your fingertips, discover the quirks of Portland with car hire from Hertz.