A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Berkshires vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Berkshires or Columbia River Gorge?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Berkshires and Columbia River Gorge can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Berkshires or Columbia River Gorge?

Berkshires

The Berkshires are a popular highland destination in the western part of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The region has scenic landscape, hiking, lakes, recreational opportunities and other outdoor experiences. The Berkshires also has an impressive cultural scene with music, arts, museums, and live theaters.

The Berkshires can be a bit expensive to visit if you stay at a luxury resort and take advantage of the award winning restaurants in the area. Alternatively, the experience can be equally rewarding by camping, picnicking, and spending your time hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural setting.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkshires and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Berkshires is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Berkshires would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkshires than you might in Columbia River Gorge.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkshires Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Berkshires or Columbia River Gorge?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Berkshires or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Columbia River Gorge. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Berkshires is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 72°F (22°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Berkshires, it's very sunny this time of the year. Berkshires usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Berkshires gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Berkshires usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Berkshires or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Columbia River Gorge. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

Berkshires is cooler than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 51°F (11°C) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Berkshires often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge. Berkshires gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Berkshires usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Columbia River Gorge. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Berkshires or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbia River Gorge. It's quite cold in Berkshires in the winter. In the winter, Berkshires is much colder than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berkshires in January average around 22°F (-6°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Berkshires usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Berkshires gets 138 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Berkshires or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Berkshires during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Berkshires is generally cooler than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 47°F (9°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Berkshires. In the spring, Berkshires often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge. Berkshires gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

Berkshires usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Berkshires