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
.
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.
1
Start on Southwest Fleet Avenue
0.3 mi·55 sec·Southwest Fleet Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 101
0.9 mi·2 min·Oregon Coast Highway
3
Turn right onto Northeast 14th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Northeast 14th Street
4
Continue on Northeast West Devils Lake Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Northeast West Devils Lake Road
5
Turn right onto US 101
1.9 mi·3 min·Oregon Coast Highway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
7
Continue on OR 18
27 mi·37 min·Salmon River Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto OR 22
16 mi·18 min·OR 22
Toward OR 22: Salem
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward OR 99W: Monmouth, McMinnville
10
Turn right onto OR 99W
0.3 mi·44 sec·Main Street
Toward Rickreall Fairgrounds, Monmouth, CorvallisUse the right lane.
11
Continue on OR 99W
2.2 mi·3 min·South Pacific Highway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto OR 99W
97 ft·1 sec·South Pacific Highway West
13
Continue on OR 99W
2.7 mi·3 min·South Pacific Highway West
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on OR 99W
1.0 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue North
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on OR 99W
6.9 mi·9 min·South Pacific Highway West
16
Turn left onto Suver Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Suver Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Corvallis Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Corvallis Road
18
Continue on Northwest Independence Highway
0.6 mi·1 min·Northwest Independence Highway
19
Turn left onto Northwest Springhill Drive
7.6 mi·11 min·Northwest Springhill Drive
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
0.3 mi·54 sec·Albany-Corvallis Highway
21
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi·1 min·Ellsworth Street Southwest;Albany-Corvallis Highway
Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto OR 62
0.4 mi·52 sec·Crater Lake Highway
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto OR 99
0.7 mi·1 min·Court Street
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on OR 99
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East 4th Street
35
Turn left onto North Fir Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Fir Street
36
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 62 miles or 1h 27m 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 62 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.6 and 279.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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
5
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
7
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...
6
61.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|Suver Road
Turn left onto Suver Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.10 one way
$112.20 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg99 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Lincoln City, OR
Evening
in Lincoln City on Saturday
Local time
6:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Medford, OR
Evening
in Medford on Saturday
Local time
6:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
N 1 to 7 mph4% chanceLive 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
21 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
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.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
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.
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
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 281.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.4 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Medford, OR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Medford, OR before the return drive.
