Trip from Lincoln City, OR to Medford, OR

Data updated 1 second ago

Drive Time

5h 53m

Distance

281.6 mi

453 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 41m ★

6 AM

5h 54m

8 AM

6h 20m

10 AM

6h 3m

12 PM

6h 0m

3 PM

6h 4m

5 PM

6h 18m

8 PM

5h 46m

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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Lincoln City, OR

Anton Ivanov

Medford, OR

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

This 281.6-mile journey from Lincoln City, OR to Medford, OR will take approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-5, along with sections of Salmon River Highway and OR 22, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. You can expect to spend around $56 on fuel for this drive. The route offers a highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward option for reaching your destination efficiently. Given the manageable duration and the predominantly highway profile, it's a practical choice for a day trip or an early start to a longer adventure.

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

140.8 miles from Lincoln City, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 77% of the route on main roads like I-5. You'll experience a significant stretch of 202.4 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. While the initial and final portions might involve some local highways, the bulk of your time will be spent on faster-paced roads. This profile suggests a drive where forward progress is generally smooth, punctuated by the occasional transition onto different state highways.

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

There are about 36 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 202.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Salmon River Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.6 miles in near OR 22.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 281.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 32.6 miles (OR 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 48.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles (OR 99W / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

32.6 mi into trip | ~49m in | OR 22

Keep slight right at fork onto OR 22 toward OR 22: Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward OR 22: Salem

48.5 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Take the exit toward OR 99W: Monmouth, McMinnville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward OR 99W: Monmouth, McMinnville

48.7 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | OR 99W / Main Street

Turn right onto OR 99W / Main Street toward Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth, Corvallis

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

Use the right lane. Toward Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth, Corvall...

61.9 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | Suver Road

Turn left onto Suver Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

279.4 mi into trip | ~5h 48m 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.

Between Lincoln City, OR and Medford, OR, road signs point toward Mcminnville, Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth and Corvallis.

Mcminnville

48.5 mi in | ~1h 7m

Rickreall Fairgrounds

48.7 mi in | ~1h 8m | via OR 99W

Monmouth

48.7 mi in | ~1h 8m | via OR 99W

Corvallis

48.7 mi in | ~1h 8m | via OR 99W

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 5	202.4 mi	3h 56m
Salmon River Highway	26.8 mi	37m
OR 22	15.8 mi	18m
South Pacific Highway West	11.8 mi	16m
Northwest Springhill Drive	7.6 mi	11m
Oregon Coast Highway	2.8 mi	5m
Suver Road	2.1 mi	3m
Northeast West Devils Lake Road	1.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 5 — 202.4 mi, about 3h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Southwest Fleet Avenue

0.3 mi · 55 sec · Southwest Fleet Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 101

0.9 mi · 2 min · Oregon Coast Highway

Turn right onto Northeast 14th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Northeast 14th Street

Continue on Northeast West Devils Lake Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Northeast West Devils Lake Road

Turn right onto US 101

1.9 mi · 3 min · Oregon Coast Highway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec

Continue on OR 18

27 mi · 37 min · Salmon River Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto OR 22

16 mi · 18 min · OR 22

Toward OR 22: Salem

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Toward OR 99W: Monmouth, McMinnville

Turn right onto OR 99W

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Main Street

Toward Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth, Corvallis Use the right lane.

Continue on OR 99W

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Pacific Highway West

Use the straight / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto OR 99W

97 ft · 1 sec · South Pacific Highway West

Continue on OR 99W

2.7 mi · 3 min · South Pacific Highway West

Use the straight lane.

Continue on OR 99W

1.0 mi · 2 min · Pacific Avenue North

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on OR 99W

6.9 mi · 9 min · South Pacific Highway West

Turn left onto Suver Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · Suver Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Corvallis Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Corvallis Road

Continue on Northwest Independence Highway

0.6 mi · 1 min · Northwest Independence Highway

Turn left onto Northwest Springhill Drive

7.6 mi · 11 min · Northwest Springhill Drive

At end of road, turn left onto US 20

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Albany-Corvallis Highway

Continue on US 20

0.4 mi · 1 min · Ellsworth Street Southwest;Albany-Corvallis Highway

Turn left onto US 20

522 ft · 9 sec · 9th Avenue Southwest;Albany-Corvallis Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 20

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Albany-Corvallis Highway

Merge onto US 20; OR 99E

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Pacific Boulevard Southeast

Turn slight right onto US 20; OR 99E

0.7 mi · 1 min · 9th Avenue Southeast

Continue on US 20

0.2 mi · 16 sec · 9th Avenue Southeast

Turn straight onto US 20

0.7 mi · 1 min · Santiam Highway Southeast

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Merge onto I 5

202 mi · 3 hr 56 min · I 5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath Falls Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto OR 62

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Crater Lake Highway

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto OR 99

0.7 mi · 1 min · Court Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on OR 99

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Central Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto East 4th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · East 4th Street

Turn left onto North Fir Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North Fir Street

Arrive at destination

North Fir Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 53-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. With a longest stretch of 202.4 miles on I-5, plan for at least one fuel and rest stop. The primary roads are well-maintained, but always be aware of changing speed limits and potential construction. Given the manageable distance, you have flexibility, but breaking it up might allow for a more relaxed pace if desired.

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 140.8 miles from Lincoln City, OR, or about 3h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.4 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 80 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 140.8 miles or 3h 6m 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 51m

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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln City, OR

This is one driving day of about 281.6 miles and 5h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lincoln 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 I 5 for about 202.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.8 mi from Lincoln City, OR · 3h 6m into the drive

city in Lane County, Oregon, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springfield, 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

Junction City, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cottage Grove, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.8 miles from Lincoln City, 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 202.4 miles.

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.

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

$56.10 one way

$112.20 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$59.37	$118.74
premium	$5.59	$61.99	$123.97
diesel	$5.61	$62.17	$124.35

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 · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	84.5	1	$29.57	$13.52
Efficient EV	70.4	0	$24.64	$11.26
EV Truck/SUV	112.6	1	$39.42	$18.02

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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 data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Lincoln City, OR

Late night in Lincoln City on Wednesday

Local time

4:46 AM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Medford, OR

Late night in Medford on Wednesday

Local time

4:46 AM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

41°F

Springfield, 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

1 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

5h 53m 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 Lincoln City, OR to Medford, OR covers 281.6 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 5, Salmon River Highway, OR 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 140.8 miles from Lincoln City, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.10 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.

Between Lincoln City, OR and Medford, OR, road signs point toward Mcminnville, Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth and Corvallis.

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Trip from Lincoln City, OR to Medford, OR

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Medford, OR

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lincoln City, OR

Medford, OR

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 53m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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