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Trip from Dunes City, OR to Medford, OR

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

183.9 mi

296 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

13 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 50m ★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Dunes City, OR, OR

Dunes City, OR

Gilmer Diaz Estela

Downtown Medford, OR, OR

Medford, OR

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

The drive from Dunes City, OR to Medford, OR covers 183.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on OR 138, I 5, Umpqua Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.8 miles on OR 138. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.85 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

91.9 miles from Dunes City, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 183.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 3m highway drive covering 183.9 miles, with most of the trip on OR 138 and I 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 54.8 miles on OR 138.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
OR 138 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on OR 138 and I 5. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 101 / Oregon Coast Highway.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 101 / Oregon Coast Highway): Navigation decision point; at 15.3 miles (OR 38 / Umpqua Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 181.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 101 / Oregon Coast Highway

At end of road, turn left onto US 101 / Oregon Coast Highway

Navigation decision point

4
15.3 mi into trip | ~22m in | OR 38 / Umpqua Avenue

Turn left onto OR 38 / Umpqua Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
181.7 mi into trip | ~3h 57m 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...
5
182 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway

Turn right onto OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
183.8 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in | North Fir Street

Turn left onto North Fir Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
OR 138 54.8 mi 1h 4m
I 5 51 mi 59m
Umpqua Highway 35.6 mi 52m
State Highway 138 West 23.8 mi 35m
Oregon Coast Highway 14.9 mi 21m
Court Street 0.7 mi 1m
North Central Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Crater Lake Highway 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: OR 138 — 54.8 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dunes City, OR and Medford, OR.

1

Start on Lake Boulevard

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Lake Boulevard
2

Continue on Pacific Avenue

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Pacific Avenue
3

At end of road, turn left onto US 101

15 mi · 21 min · Oregon Coast Highway
4

Turn left onto OR 38

0.3 mi · 55 sec · Umpqua Avenue
5

Continue on OR 38

0.3 mi · 55 sec · Fir Avenue
6

Continue on OR 38

36 mi · 52 min · Umpqua Highway
7

Continue on OR 38

381 ft · 10 sec · State Highway 38
8

Turn right onto OR 138

24 mi · 35 min · State Highway 138 West
9

Continue on OR 138

0.3 mi · 46 sec · West Central Avenue
10

Turn right onto OR 138

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Park Hill Lane
11

Take the ramp onto OR 138

55 mi · 1 hr 4 min · OR 138
12

Continue on I 5; OR 99

51 mi · 59 min · I 5; OR 99
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn right onto OR 62

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Crater Lake Highway
Use the right lane.
15

Turn left onto OR 99

0.7 mi · 1 min · Court Street
Use the left lane.
16

Continue on OR 99

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Turn right onto East 4th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · East 4th Street
18

Turn left onto North Fir Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North Fir Street
19

Arrive at destination

North Fir Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91.9 miles from Dunes City, OR, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.8 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 40 miles or 59m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.9 miles or 2h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 21m

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 Dunes City, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dunes City, OR

This is one driving day of about 183.9 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Dunes City, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on OR 138 for about 54.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 91.9 mi from Dunes City, OR · 2h 12m into the drive

city in Oregon, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sutherlin, OR

92 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Drain, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Roseburg, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.9 miles from Dunes City, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Medford, OR

The final approach into Medford, OR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Medford, OR.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Wildlife Safari

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 91.9

Winston, Oregon

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15416796761

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 157.6

Grants Pass, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 52.5

Elkton, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 157.6

Grants Pass, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 131.3

Wolf Creek, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 183.9

Central Point, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18888332148

Electric Era Charging Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 118.2

Canyonville, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884092980

Visit website

The Children's Museum of Southern Oregon

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15417729922

Visit website

Crunch Time!

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+15418160319

Visit website

Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 170.7

Central Point, Oregon

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15418219476

Visit website

Hawthorne Park Playground

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15417742400

Visit website

Nightmares on the Rogue

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Closed

+15414147059

Visit website

Downtown Medford Visitor Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15417794847

Visit website

Fichtner-Mainwaring Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+15417742400

Visit website

Bear Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 183.9

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+15417742400

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.85 one way

$71.69 round trip

$4.95/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $38.65 $77.30
premium $5.57 $40.30 $80.60
diesel $6.37 $46.09 $92.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way.

EV Charging Along Route

13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Electric Era Charging Station

Canyonville, Oregon

Other

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Medford, Oregon

Electrify America

1 DCFC

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Central Point, Oregon

Other

1 DCFC

Electrify America Charging Station

Grants Pass, Oregon

Electrify America

1 DCFC

EVCS Charging Station

Wolf Creek, Oregon

EVCS

1 DCFC

EVCS Charging Station

Grants Pass, Oregon

EVCS

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Medford, Oregon

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

EVCS Charging Station

Elkton, Oregon

EVCS

1 DCFC

Other: 3 EVCS: 3 Electrify America: 2 ChargePoint: 2 Tesla Destination: 1 Shell Recharge: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.2 0 $19.31 $8.83
Efficient EV 46 0 $16.09 $7.36
EV Truck/SUV 73.6 0 $25.75 $11.77

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Dunes City, OR

Late night in Dunes City on Saturday

Local time

4:37 AM

PDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Medford, OR

Late night in Medford on Saturday

Local time

4:37 AM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

7 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

4h 3m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dunes City, OR to Medford, OR covers 183.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are OR 138, I 5, Umpqua 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 91.9 miles from Dunes City, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 101 / Oregon Coast Highway): Navigation decision point; at 15.3 miles (OR 38 / Umpqua Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 181.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Dunes City, OR to Medford, OR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Medford, OR to Dunes City, OR

Plan the drive back the other way.

183.9 mi 4h 2m

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