Winter Drive:
Linn County's Covered Bridges

Make Albany your starting point for a drive through the covered bridges of Linn County. You can find an interactive map on our free Albany Explorer App, available for Apple and Android. Access the tour under Self-Guided Tours on the homepage, then select Covered Bridges from the list. Each bridge includes photos, text, and video. Click the bridge photo to find the address and a link to driving directions, making it easy to navigate from bridge to bridge right from your smartphone.

If you prefer a paper map, you can download the Seems Like Old Times publication, which features the covered bridges on page 20.

Heading out to Linn County’s covered bridges? Fuel up in Albany. After the short loop, reward yourself with lunch. If you take on the full eight-bridge drive, plan to end the day back in town with a well-earned dinner. Downtown Albany is only about a 10-minute drive from I-5, making it an easy add before or after your scenic drive.

If you have a little extra time, downtown Albany is just a quick 10-minute drive from I-5 and well worth the short detour. Historic buildings, brick-lined streets, and locally owned cafés set the tone for a relaxed start to your covered bridge adventure.

For a full breakfast made from scratch, Brick & Mortar Cafe is a downtown favorite known for generous portions and creative takes on morning classics. Also on 1st Avenue, Bodhi Artisan Kitchen & Bakery offers fresh pastries, house-baked bread, and thoughtfully prepared breakfast options alongside excellent coffee. Downtown is also home to another location of Margin Coffee. It provides a calm, modern space that locals call "Albany's living room," with expertly brewed coffee and light bites. 

Whether you grab something quick near the freeway or linger downtown, Albany makes it easy to start your covered bridge drive well fed and well caffeinated.

Approximate time: 2.5–3 hours round-trip

This route is perfect if you want a scenic drive without committing your whole day. From Albany, head east into the countryside around Scio to visit five covered bridges clustered within a compact area.

Bridges on this route include:

• Hoffman Bridge

• Gilkey Bridge

• Shimanek Bridge

• Hannah Bridge

• Larwood Bridge

Expect gentle curves, open farmland, and several pull-outs where you can stop for photos or short walks. You can drive through all of these bridges, but most are one lane, so be sure to keep an eye out for incoming vehicles. 

Downtown Albany is an easy 10-minute drive from I-5 and a great place to pause for lunch, especially if you’re taking your time between bridge stops or staying overnight in town.

Loafers Station offers a wide-ranging lunch menu that goes well beyond sandwiches, with burgers, flatbread pizzas, salads, bowls, and shareable starters like pretzels with beer cheese, calamari, and nachos. It’s a solid choice if your group has mixed cravings or wants a relaxed sit-down meal with plenty of options.

For lighter, flavor-forward fare, Ba’s Vietnamese serves fresh banh mi, pho, and vermicelli bowls that are satisfying without feeling heavy. Nearby, The Depot is known for its classic fish and chips, served casually inside a historic former train depot that feels very Albany.

If you’re staying in town and the weather turns rainy, downtown also puts you close to several indoor attractions worth building into your plans. The Albany Historic Carousel & Museum deserves a stop all its own. With hand-carved animals and a welcoming, all-ages atmosphere, it’s an easy addition to your itinerary and a favorite for families, couples, and anyone who appreciates craftsmanship and local stories. 

Since covered bridges are a window into Oregon’s past, visitors often enjoy pairing the drive with more history downtown. The Monteith House is one of Albany’s oldest homes and a cornerstone of the city’s early history. Nearby, the Albany Regional Museum offers engaging exhibits that highlight the stories, industries, and people that shaped the region.

If you are in the mood to take in more historic sights, explore our Touring Historic Albany page or stop in at the Visitors Center. We would love to help you build onto your itinerary or plan another day of exploration!

Approximate time: Half day or more

If you have extra time, extend your drive to include all eight covered bridges in Linn County. This longer loop takes you east toward Sweet Home and Cascadia, then west through Crawfordsville before returning to Albany.

Additional bridges on the full route include:

• Weddle Bridge

• Short Bridge

• Crawfordsville Bridge

This route offers a deeper look at the region’s history and landscapes, from wooded creeks to small towns and river crossings. Plan time for lunch, photo stops, and a few leisurely detours.

After a full day exploring covered bridges, dinner just off I-5 makes for an easy finish before settling in for the night. Albany’s freeway-adjacent options include locally owned favorites as well as familiar chains, so you can keep things simple or try something new without adding extra drive time.

For a relaxed, local dinner, Cascade Grill offers a broad menu of comfort-driven classics that work well for families and groups. Abby’s Legendary Pizza is another dependable option, serving pizzas, salads, and casual fare with plenty of seating and Northwest roots. If you’re in the mood for something more casual and customizable, Charli’s on I‑5 brings together multiple food carts in one stop, making it easy for everyone to find something they like.

If you’re craving something familiar after a long drive, national chains like Applebee’s, Red Robin, and Chipotle are conveniently located near the freeway and offer predictable favorites and quick service.

With dinner close to I-5, it’s easy to wrap up the day, reflect on your bridge discoveries, and recharge for whatever adventure comes next.

After a full day on the road, downtown Albany offers a relaxed and satisfying way to end your covered bridge adventure. Just a 10-minute drive from I-5, the historic downtown core is home to locally owned restaurants that pair well with an unhurried evening.

At Sybaris Bistro, Chef Matt Bennett prepares thoughtfully crafted dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients. With over 20 years in Albany, and a two-time James Beard nominated chef at the helm, dining at Sybaris is an experience you won't want to miss. 

Vault 244 Bistro & Lounge pairs elevated comfort food with creative cocktails inside a beautifully restored downtown building. For something distinctive, The Squeaky Cork specializes in Scottish fare and comforting pub food, and its full bar features a library of over 320 whiskeys, plus a variety of spirits, beers, wines, and craft cocktails, making it a memorable way to close out the day.

Downtown dinner brings the covered bridge experience full circle, pairing history on the road with great food and drink in the heart of Albany.