Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
250.5 mi
403 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
Photo: Diana Orey
The drive from Sheridan, OR to Medford, OR covers 250.5 miles and takes about 5h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, South Pacific Highway West, Salem-Willamina Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 202.4 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.85 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
125.2 miles from Sheridan, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
This is a 5h 10m highway drive covering 250.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and South Pacific Highway West. The longest continuous stretch is about 202.4 miles on I 5.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and South Pacific Highway West. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.3 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 250.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles (OR 99W / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles (Suver Road): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward OR 99W: Monmouth, McMinnville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto OR 99W / Main Street toward Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth, Corvallis
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Suver Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 20 / 9th Avenue Southwest;Albany-Corvallis Highway
Lane positioning matters here
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
Between Sheridan, OR and Medford, OR, road signs point toward Mcminnville, Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth and Corvallis.
Mcminnville
Rickreall Fairgrounds
Monmouth
Corvallis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 202.4 mi | 3h 56m |
| South Pacific Highway West | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Salem-Willamina Highway | 10 mi | 11m |
| Northwest Springhill Drive | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Red Prairie Road | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| Suver Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Corvallis Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Pacific Avenue North | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sheridan, OR and Medford, OR.
Start on OR 18 Bus
Turn left onto South Bridge Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto OR 18
Turn left onto Southwest Red Prairie Road
Continue on Red Prairie Road
At end of road, turn left onto OR 22
Take the exit
Turn right onto OR 99W
Continue on OR 99W
Enter roundabout onto OR 99W
Continue on OR 99W
Continue on OR 99W
Continue on OR 99W
Turn left onto Suver Road
Turn right onto Corvallis Road
Continue on Northwest Independence Highway
Turn left onto Northwest Springhill Drive
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
Continue on US 20
Turn left onto US 20
Continue on US 20
Merge onto US 20; OR 99E
Turn slight right onto US 20; OR 99E
Continue on US 20
Turn straight onto US 20
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto OR 62
Turn left onto OR 99
Continue on OR 99
Turn right onto East 4th Street
Turn left onto North Fir Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.2 miles or 2h 41m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medford, OR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sheridan, 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 Sheridan, OR
This is one driving day of about 250.5 miles and 5h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.2 mi from Sheridan, OR · 2h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 125.2 miles from Sheridan, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 202.4 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$49.85 one way
$99.71 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $52.64 | $105.29 |
| premium | $5.59 | $55.10 | $110.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.65 | $111.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.30 | $12.02 |
| Efficient EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.92 | $10.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.2 | 1 | $35.07 | $16.03 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Sheridan on Saturday
Local time
2:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Medford on Saturday
Local time
2:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Cottage Grove, OR
125 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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