The drive from Medford, OR to Oakridge, OR covers 167.5 miles and takes about 3h 57m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Crater Lake Highway, State Highway 58, Diamond Lake Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50 miles on Crater Lake Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.37 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.7 miles from Medford, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 167.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Medford, OR to Oakridge, OR covers 167.5 miles and takes about 3h 57m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Crater Lake Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 50 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 80.3 miles (OR 138 / North Umpqua Highway): Navigation decision point.
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
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway
Merge onto OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
7 mi into trip|~11m in|OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway
At end of road, turn left onto OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|OR 138 / North Umpqua Highway
At end of road, turn right onto OR 138 / North Umpqua Highway
Navigation decision point
5
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|OR 58 / State Highway 58
Take the exit onto OR 58 / State Highway 58 toward OR 58 West: Oakridge, Eugene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward OR 58 West: Oakridge, Eugene
5
167.3 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|Maple Street
Turn right onto Maple Street
Navigation decision point
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 Oakridge, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Eugene along the way.
Eugene
115.9 mi in|~2h 45m|via OR 58
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Crater Lake Highway
50 mi
1h 12m
State Highway 58
37.4 mi
51m
Diamond Lake Highway
23.8 mi
35m
The Dalles-California Highway
17.8 mi
21m
Williamette Highway
12 mi
16m
East Diamond Lake Highway
8.4 mi
11m
State Highway 138
6.3 mi
8m
Rogue Valley Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Crater Lake Highway
— 50 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford, OR and Oakridge, OR.
1
Start on North Fir Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Fir Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
0.4 mi·53 sec·West 4th Street
3
Continue on Biddle Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Biddle Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
5
Merge onto OR 62
0.4 mi·51 sec·Crater Lake Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto OR 62
4.5 mi·6 min·Rogue Valley Expressway
Use the left lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto OR 62
50 mi·1 hr 12 min·Crater Lake Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Turn straight onto OR 230
24 mi·35 min·Diamond Lake Highway
9
At end of road, turn right onto OR 138
2.9 mi·4 min·North Umpqua Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto OR 138
216 ft·3 sec·North Umpqua Highway
11
Continue on OR 138
8.4 mi·11 min·East Diamond Lake Highway
12
Continue on OR 138
6.3 mi·8 min·State Highway 138
13
Turn left onto US 97
18 mi·21 min·The Dalles-California Highway
14
Take the exit onto OR 58
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 58
Toward OR 58 West: Oakridge, Eugene
15
Continue on OR 58
12 mi·16 min·Williamette Highway
16
Continue on OR 58
33 mi·44 min·State Highway 58
17
Continue on OR 58
1.6 mi·2 min·Highway 58
18
Turn right onto Crestview Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Crestview Street
19
Turn right onto East 1st Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·East 1st Street
20
Turn right onto Maple Street
323 ft·19 sec·Maple Street
21
Turn left onto Commercial Street
427 ft·14 sec·Commercial Street
22
Arrive at destination
Commercial 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 83.7 miles from Medford, OR, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 37 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 2h 3m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakridge, 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 167.5 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 Crater Lake Highway for about 50 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.7 mi from Medford, OR
· 2h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.7 miles from Medford, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oakridge, OR
The final approach into Oakridge, 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 Oakridge, OR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Crater Lake National Park
National Park
Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow,...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$30
near mile 86.6
Park Closure: Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for Rehabilitation
Park Closure: North Entrance Road and Rim Drive are CLOSED for the Season
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.37 one way
$66.74 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$35.31
$70.63
premium
$5.59
$36.87
$73.74
diesel
$5.61
$36.98
$73.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Electrify America Charging Station
Medford, Oregon
Electrify America
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Central Point, Oregon
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Medford, Oregon
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Medford, Oregon
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Medford, Oregon
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Electrify America: 1
Other: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.59
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.66
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.45
$10.72
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Late night
in Medford on Saturday
Local time
5:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oakridge, OR
Late night
in Oakridge on Saturday
Local time
5:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
14 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
3h 57m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Medford, OR to Oakridge, OR covers 167.5 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Crater Lake Highway, State Highway 58, Diamond Lake Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.7 miles from Medford, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.37 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (OR 62 / Crater Lake Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 80.3 miles (OR 138 / North Umpqua Highway): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Medford, OR to Oakridge, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Eugene along the way.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
