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Trip from Gresham, OR to Central Point, OR

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

Drive Time

5h 41m

Distance

281.5 mi

453 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 28m ★
6 AM
5h 41m
8 AM
6h 8m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 48m
3 PM
5h 52m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 33m

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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city in Multnomah County, Oregon, United States of America

Gresham, OR

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Central Point, OR, OR

Central Point, OR

Wijs (Wise)

Trip Overview

The drive from Gresham, OR to Central Point, OR covers 281.5 miles and takes about 5h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 5, I 205, Southeast Foster Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 254.9 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.08 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

140.7 miles from Gresham, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

About the Cities

Starting in Gresham, OR

Full guide →

Gresham is the fourth largest city within the state of Oregon, with a population of 114,000 in 2020. It's the home of an annual jazz festival. It is a part of the Portland Metropolitan Area and is generally considered a Portland suburb. The downtown area of Gresham can be easily missed by those driving along W Powell Blvd, but has a handful of restaurants and shops to offer, as well as Main City Park.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 281.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 41m highway drive covering 281.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and I 205. The longest continuous stretch is about 254.9 miles on I 5.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 254.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,372 ft 174 ft

Total Climb

1,723 ft

Total Descent

769 ft

Highest Point

1,372 ft

~241.3 mi in

Elevation Range

1,198 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near Southeast 174th Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 281.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.8 miles (Southeast 174th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (Southeast Foster Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Southeast 94th Avenue): 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.

6
2.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | Southeast 174th Avenue

Turn left onto Southeast 174th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
4.2 mi into trip | ~9m in | Southeast Foster Road

At end of road, turn right onto Southeast Foster Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
7.9 mi into trip | ~17m in | Southeast 94th Avenue

Take the ramp onto Southeast 94th Avenue toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem
5
8.2 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 205

Merge onto I 205

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
24.8 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 South: Salem

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 254.9 mi 4h 57m
I 205 16.6 mi 21m
Southeast Foster Road 3.6 mi 7m
West Powell Boulevard 2.7 mi 6m
Southeast Jenne Road 0.9 mi 2m
East Pine Street 0.5 mi 1m
Southeast 174th Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Southeast 94th Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 254.9 mi, about 4h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gresham, OR and Central Point, OR.

1

Start on this road

118 ft · 10 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 26

2.7 mi · 6 min · West Powell Boulevard
3

Continue on US 26

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Southeast Powell Boulevard
4

Turn left onto Southeast 174th Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southeast 174th Avenue
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on Southeast Jenne Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Southeast Jenne Road
6

At end of road, turn right onto Southeast Foster Road

3.6 mi · 7 min · Southeast Foster Road
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the ramp onto Southeast 94th Avenue

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Southeast 94th Avenue
Toward I 205 South: Oregon City, Salem Use the left / straight lanes.
8

Merge onto I 205

17 mi · 21 min · I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

508 ft · 6 sec
Toward I 5 South: Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on this road

0.9 mi · 1 min · this road
Toward I 5 South: Salem
11

Merge onto I 5

255 mi · 4 hr 57 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward Central Point
13

Turn right onto East Pine Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Pine Street
14

Turn right onto North 3rd Street

377 ft · 15 sec · North 3rd Street
15

Turn left onto Manzanita Street

70 ft · 3 sec · Manzanita Street
16

Arrive at destination

Manzanita 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 140.7 miles from Gresham, OR, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.9 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 62 miles or 1h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 140.7 miles or 2h 55m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central Point, OR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gresham, 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 Gresham, OR

This is one driving day of about 281.5 miles and 5h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Gresham, 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 I 5 for about 254.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.7 mi from Gresham, OR · 2h 55m into the drive

city in Oregon, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cottage Grove, OR

141 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

Salem, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cottage Grove, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.7 miles from Gresham, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 254.9 miles.

Arriving in Central Point, OR

The final approach into Central Point, 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 Central Point, OR.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.08 one way

$112.16 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $59.35 $118.70
premium $5.59 $61.96 $123.93
diesel $5.61 $62.15 $124.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.5 1 $29.56 $13.51
Efficient EV 70.4 0 $24.63 $11.26
EV Truck/SUV 112.6 1 $39.41 $18.02

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% 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 Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Gresham, OR

Morning in Gresham on Saturday

Local time

9:33 AM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Rain Showers Likely

WSW 9 mph 66% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:55AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Destination

Central Point, OR

Morning in Central Point on Saturday

Local time

9:33 AM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

WSW 2 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:55AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Medford OR

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

39°F

Cottage Grove, OR

141 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

6 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 41m 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 Gresham, OR to Central Point, OR covers 281.5 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 5, I 205, Southeast Foster Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 140.7 miles from Gresham, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.08 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 281.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.8 miles (Southeast 174th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (Southeast Foster Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (Southeast 94th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Gresham, OR to Central Point, OR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 174 ft to 1,372 ft elevation with about 1,723 ft of total climbing.

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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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