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Trip from Medford, OR to Dunes City, OR

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

Drive Time

4h 2m

Distance

183.9 mi

296 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

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 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
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 Medford, OR, OR

Medford, OR

Stephen Leonardi

Downtown Dunes City, OR, OR

Dunes City, OR

Gilmer Diaz Estela

Trip Overview

The drive from Medford, OR to Dunes City, OR covers 183.9 miles and takes about 4h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 5, Umpqua Highway, State Highway 138 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.7 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.64 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

92 miles from Medford, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 105.7 mi 2h 3m
Umpqua Highway 35.6 mi 52m
State Highway 138 West 23.8 mi 35m
Oregon Coast Highway 14.9 mi 21m
North Riverside Avenue 1.1 mi 2m
Crater Lake Highway 0.4 mi 1m
West Central Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Fir Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 105.7 mi, about 2h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Fir Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · North Fir Street
2

Turn right onto West 4th Street

0.3 mi · 39 sec · West 4th Street
3

Turn left onto OR 99

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Riverside Avenue
4

Turn slight right onto Riverside Avenute Connection #1

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Riverside Avenute Connection #1
5

Turn straight onto OR 62

0.4 mi · 1 min · Crater Lake Highway
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
7

Merge onto I 5

106 mi · 2 hr 3 min · I 5
8

Take the exit onto OR 138

0.2 mi · 35 sec · OR 138
Toward OR 138: Sutherlin, Elkton
9

Turn left onto OR 138

0.4 mi · 58 sec · West Central Avenue
10

Continue on OR 138

24 mi · 35 min · State Highway 138 West
11

At end of road, turn left onto OR 38

381 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 38
12

Continue on OR 38

36 mi · 52 min · Umpqua Highway
13

Continue on OR 38

0.3 mi · 55 sec · Fir Avenue
14

Continue on OR 38

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Umpqua Avenue
15

Turn right onto US 101

15 mi · 21 min · Oregon Coast Highway
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn right onto Pacific Avenue

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Pacific Avenue
17

Turn right onto Lake Boulevard

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Lake Boulevard
18

Arrive at destination

Lake Boulevard

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 92 miles from Medford, OR, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.7 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 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92 miles or 1h 50m 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 13m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Medford, 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 Medford, OR

This is one driving day of about 183.9 miles and 4h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Medford, 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 105.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Grants Pass, 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 92 miles from Medford, 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 105.7 miles.

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 92

Winston, Oregon

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+15416796761

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 26.3

Grants Pass, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 131.4

Elkton, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 26.3

Grants Pass, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 52.5

Wolf Creek, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663003827

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

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 65.7

Canyonville, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884092980

Visit website

The Children's Museum of Southern Oregon

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15417729922

Visit website

Crunch Time!

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+15418160319

Visit website

Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 13.1

Central Point, Oregon

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+15418219476

Visit website

Hawthorne Park Playground

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+15417742400

Visit website

Nightmares on the Rogue

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Closed

+15414147059

Visit website

Downtown Medford Visitor Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15417794847

Visit website

Fichtner-Mainwaring Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+15417742400

Visit website

Bear Creek Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Medford, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+15417742400

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 132.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 4th Street

Turn right onto West 4th Street

Navigation decision point

5
2 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5
107.9 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | OR 138

Take the exit onto OR 138 toward OR 138: Sutherlin, Elkton

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

Toward OR 138: Sutherlin, Elkton
4
108.1 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | OR 138 / West Central Avenue

Turn left onto OR 138 / West Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
132.4 mi into trip | ~2h 46m in | OR 38 / State Highway 38

At end of road, turn left onto OR 38 / State Highway 38

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.64 one way

$73.27 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $38.77 $77.54
premium $5.59 $40.48 $80.96
diesel $5.61 $40.60 $81.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Medford, OR

Morning in Medford on Saturday

Local time

11:52 AM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dunes City, OR

Morning in Dunes City on Saturday

Local time

11:52 AM

PDT

Current temp

48°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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

4h 2m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

183.9 mi in 4h 2m, mostly highway — 105.7 mi of that is on I 5.

71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.7 mi on I 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Umpqua Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 4th Street.

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 2m 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 0.1 miles (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 107.9 miles (OR 138): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Medford, OR to Dunes City, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Elkton along the way.

Elkton

107.9 mi in | ~2h 9m | via OR 138

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 183.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105.7 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 107.9 miles (OR 138): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Dunes City, OR, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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