Medford, OR to Fairview, OR is 286.2 miles and takes about 5h 43m via I 5 and Banfield Freeway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Oregon, traversing the Pacific Coast region. With 97% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward, mostly high-speed journey. This route is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency and covering ground quickly between Southern and Northern Oregon.
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
143.1 miles from Medford, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
270 mi
5h 17m
Banfield Freeway
6.6 mi
8m
Columbia River Highway
4.7 mi
5m
North Riverside Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Northeast Halsey Street
0.6 mi
1m
Crater Lake Highway
0.4 mi
1m
Northeast Fairview Parkway
0.4 mi
<1m
West 4th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 270 mi, about 5h 17m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 128 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,244 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,710
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford, OR and Fairview, 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
269 mi·5 hr 16 min·I 5
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.1 mi·1 min·I 5
Toward SeattleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 300Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport, The DallesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 84; US 30
6.6 mi·8 min·Banfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 84; US 30
4.7 mi·5 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 14Toward Fairview ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto Northeast Fairview Parkway
0.4 mi·52 sec·Northeast Fairview Parkway
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto Northeast Halsey Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Northeast Halsey Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Fairview Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·Fairview Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Fairview Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 43m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Medford in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I 5, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Since 97% of the route is highway, you'll want to be mindful of traffic conditions as you get closer to Fairview, especially during peak hours.
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 143.1 miles from Medford, OR, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 270 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 63 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.1 miles or 2h 51m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairview, 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 286.2 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 270 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 271.2 and 285.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
271.2 mi into trip|~5h 21m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 toward Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Seattle
8
272.2 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portland Airport
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.
Exit 300
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles, Portl...
8
272.4 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport, The Dalles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: Portland Airport,...
7
284.6 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward Fairview Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward Fairview Parkway
6
285.3 mi into trip|~5h 41m in|Northeast Halsey Street
Turn left onto Northeast Halsey Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.36 one way
$116.71 round trip
$5.18/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.48
$61.79
$123.58
premium
$5.74
$64.62
$129.24
diesel
$6.18
$69.62
$139.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
34 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Sutherlin, OR - Tesla Supercharger
Sutherlin, OR
Tesla
51 DCFC
Grants Pass, OR - Northeast Terry Lane - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.9
1
$30.05
$13.74
Efficient EV
71.6
0
$25.04
$11.45
EV Truck/SUV
114.5
1
$40.07
$18.32
Gas CO2
100 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Medford, OR
Late night
in Medford on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
S 1 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fairview, OR
Late night
in Fairview on Sunday
Local time
4:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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
5h 43m 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?
Expect to spend most of your time on I 5, which accounts for 97% of this 286.2-mile drive. You'll cover a substantial 270 miles on I 5 before transitioning to the Banfield Freeway and Columbia River Highway for the final stretch. Keep an eye out for the dense exit patterns as you approach the Portland metropolitan area, indicating the shift from open highway to more urban conditions.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 270 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Banfield Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 271.2 miles in near I 5.
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 11 significant decision points across 286.2 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 271.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,964 ft138 ft
Total Climb
1,553 ft
Total Descent
2,798 ft
Highest Point
1,964 ft
~61.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,827 ft
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 Fairview, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Seattle along the way.
Medford is a city in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. The town is southern Oregon's largest and most diverse city, brimming with historical and cultural attractions while offering regional tax-free shopping. Medford is the county seat of Jackson County, and is the commercial and medical hub of southern Oregon. Its autumns tend to be very mild, and dry when compared to the rest of the state.
Top landmarks
•Barnum Hotel — historic hotel building in Medford, Oregon, USA
•Jackson County Courthouse — historic building in Medford, Oregon, United States
•James A. Redden Federal Courthouse — courthouse in Medford, Oregon, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 286.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 270 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Fairview, 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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 271.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairview, OR before the return drive.
