Cabin Creek Rest Area Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Medford, OR to Independence, OR
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
227.4 mi
366 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medford, OR
Stephen Leonardi
Independence, OR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Medford to Independence is 227 miles and takes about 4 hours 35 minutes via I 5 and Riverside Road South, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Oregon, moving from the Pacific Coast region north towards the Willamette Valley. Most of this route is on the interstate, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll cover a significant distance on I 5, so expect consistent highway travel for the bulk of your journey. It's a practical option if you need to get from Southern Oregon to the mid-Willamette Valley efficiently.
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
113.7 miles from Medford, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 212.7 mi | 4h 7m |
| Riverside Road South | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| Ankeny Hill Road Southeast | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Sidney Road South | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Buena Vista Road South | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Riverside Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| River Road South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Crater Lake Highway | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 212.7 mi, about 4h 7m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,492 veh/hr typical · worst 1,819
Quietest
1 AM
~127 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Independence, 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
213 mi
·
4 hr 7 min
·
I 5
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 243
Toward Ankeny Hill
9
Turn left onto CR 2
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Ankeny Hill Road Southeast
10
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 2
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Ankeny Hill Road Southeast
11
Keep slight left at fork onto CR 2
148 ft
·
3 sec
·
Ankeny Hill Road Southeast
12
Continue on CR 54
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Buena Vista Road South
13
Turn right onto Sidney Road South
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Sidney Road South
14
Continue on Riverside Road South
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Riverside Road South
15
Turn right
391 ft
·
22 sec
16
Turn left onto CR 53
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
River Road South
17
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Main Street
18
Turn left onto OR 51
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Monmouth Street
19
Turn right
25 ft
·
1 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 35-minute duration, departing Medford in the morning should allow you to reach Independence with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 94% highway share, you can choose to make one longer break or several brief ones. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so check your tank before leaving Medford and plan for one stop if necessary, especially since the longest stretch on I 5 is over 200 miles. Pay attention as you transition off I 5 onto Riverside Road South and Ankeny Hill Road Southeast, as these are surface roads and may have different speed limits and traffic patterns.
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 113.7 miles from Medford, OR, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.7 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 50 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, 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 227.4 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 212.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.7 miles from Medford, 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 212.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Manzanita Rest Area Northbound
0 mi from route
(historical)Cow Creek Safety Rest Area SB
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Cabin Creek Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Gettings Creek Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Gettings Creek Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Manzanita Rest Area Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Santiam River Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Valley of the Rogue State Park Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Jordan Creek Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Oak Grove Rest Area Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Oak Grove Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
7 Feathers Truck & Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
EZ Trip Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 227.4 — 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
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
214.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward Ankeny Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 243
Toward Ankeny Hill
5
227.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.44 one way
$92.88 round trip
$5.19/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $49.40 | $98.80 |
| premium | $5.72 | $51.20 | $102.40 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $47.90 | $95.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.88 | $10.92 |
| Efficient EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.90 | $9.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91 | 1 | $31.84 | $14.55 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Medford, OR
Afternoon in Medford on Wednesday
Local time
2:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
WNW 1 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, OR
Afternoon in Independence on Wednesday
Local time
2:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 3 mph
13% chance
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
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
4h 35m 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?
This is primarily a highway drive, with 94% of the route on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 5, covering a longest stretch of 212.7 miles without needing to exit. The final portion of the drive transitions to surface roads like Riverside Road South and Ankeny Hill Road Southeast, offering a change of pace from the interstate. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal navigation challenges on the main highway segment.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.7 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Riverside Road South. 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
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 35m 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 0.1 miles (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 2.2 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,383 ft
171 ft
Total Climb
470 ft
Total Descent
1,682 ft
Highest Point
1,383 ft
Elevation Range
1,212 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Independence, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Ankeny Hill along the way.
Ankeny Hill
214.9 mi in
|
~4h 13m
About the Cities
Starting in Medford, OR
Full guide →Founded 1884
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
Arriving in Independence, OR
Full guide →Founded 1874
Top landmarks
- • Independence Historic District — historic district in Oregon, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 227.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 212.7 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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.
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 2.2 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, OR, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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