Cannon Beach to Medford is 344.5 miles and takes about 7 hours via I 5 and Sunset Highway, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily follows major highways, offering a direct path through Oregon. You'll transition from the Pacific Coast region to inland areas, so expect the scenery to change. Given its focused highway profile and manageable duration, this route is best suited for travelers prioritizing efficiency and a straightforward journey. It's a solid option if you want to cover ground comfortably within a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172.2 miles from Cannon Beach, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h. Total distance: 344.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the route utilizing major interstates and highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 261.3 miles on I 5, which forms the backbone of the journey. The initial part of the drive on Sunset Highway and Northwest Sunset Highway offers a different feel before merging onto the faster-paced interstate. Expect a predominantly high-speed experience, punctuated by the transitions between these main arteries.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 261.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Sunset Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near US 26 / Sunset Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 344.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (US 26 / Sunset Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.8 mi into trip|~7m in|US 26 / Sunset Highway
Merge onto US 26 / Sunset Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward OR 217 South: Tigard, Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 69A
Toward OR 217 South: Tigard, Salem
5
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Merge onto OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Salem
7
342.3 mi into trip|~6h 54m in
Take the exit toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Kla...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cannon Beach, OR to Medford, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Salem along the way.
Salem
73.4 mi in|~1h 38m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
261.3 mi
5h 5m
Sunset Highway
34.8 mi
43m
Northwest Sunset Highway
33.8 mi
46m
Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
6.8 mi
9m
Oregon Coast Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Court Street
0.7 mi
1m
North Central Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Crater Lake Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 261.3 mi, about 5h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cannon Beach, OR and Medford, OR.
1
Start on South Hemlock Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·South Hemlock Street
2
Turn left onto Sunset Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Sunset Boulevard
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 101
3.9 mi·5 min·Oregon Coast Highway
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 26 East: Portland
5
Merge onto US 26
35 mi·43 min·Sunset Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 26
14 mi·19 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on US 26
20 mi·26 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 69AToward OR 217 South: Tigard, SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto OR 217
6.8 mi·9 min·Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 5 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 5
261 mi·5 hr 5 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto OR 62
0.4 mi·52 sec·Crater Lake Highway
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto OR 99
0.7 mi·1 min·Court Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on OR 99
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East 4th Street
17
Turn left onto North Fir Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Fir Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Fir Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, an early morning departure from Cannon Beach is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for two planned stops. The longest stretch is over 261 miles on I 5, so be sure to fuel up before embarking on that segment. Given the 344.5-mile distance, it's feasible to complete in one day, but listen to your body; if you feel fatigued, there are plenty of services along I 5 to pull over. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as $69 is an estimate, and prices can fluctuate.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.2 miles from Cannon Beach, OR, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 76 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.2 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medford, OR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cannon Beach, OR so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cannon Beach, OR
This is one driving day of about 344.5 miles and 7h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Cannon Beach, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 261.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.2 mi from Cannon Beach, OR
· 3h 35m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses site...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.63 one way
$137.26 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$72.63
$145.26
premium
$5.59
$75.83
$151.66
diesel
$5.61
$76.06
$152.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.4
1
$36.17
$16.54
Efficient EV
86.1
0
$30.14
$13.78
EV Truck/SUV
137.8
1
$48.23
$22.05
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Mar 4, 2022
Origin
Cannon Beach, OR
Afternoon
in Cannon Beach on Friday
Local time
3:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Medford, OR
Afternoon
in Medford on Friday
Local time
3:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Salem, OR
172 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cannon Beach, OR to Medford, OR covers 344.5 miles and takes about 7h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Sunset Highway, Northwest Sunset Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.2 miles from Cannon Beach, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $68.63 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 344.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (US 26 / Sunset Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cannon Beach, OR to Medford, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Salem along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
