Medford to Rockaway Beach is 316.2 miles and takes about 6h 47m via I 5 and Oregon Coast Highway, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region of southern Oregon to the same region on the northern coast. It's mostly a highway drive, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct route to the coast. With a single recommended stop and a duration under seven hours, this is a very manageable one-day trip.
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
158.1 miles from Medford, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
202.5 mi
3h 56m
Oregon Coast Highway
28.7 mi
41m
Salem-Willamina Highway
16 mi
18m
Hebo Road
12.5 mi
18m
South Pacific Highway West
11.8 mi
16m
Northwest Springhill Drive
7.6 mi
11m
State Highway 22
7.2 mi
10m
Salmon River Highway
3.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 202.5 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,366 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,716
Quietest
1 AM
~116 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Rockaway Beach, 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
203 mi·3 hr 56 min·I 5
8
Take the exit onto Highway #001MR - Santiam Highway Connection #1
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street Southeast
228 ft·4 sec·Main Street Southeast
13
Enter roundabout onto Main Street Southeast
130 ft·2 sec·Main Street Southeast
14
Continue on Main Street Southeast
491 ft·15 sec·Main Street Southeast
15
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
0.6 mi·1 min·1st Avenue East
16
Turn right onto US 20
154 ft·4 sec·Lyon Street South;Albany-Corvallis Highway
17
Continue on US 20
0.3 mi·45 sec·Albany-Corvallis Highway
18
Turn right onto Northwest Springhill Drive
7.6 mi·11 min·Northwest Springhill Drive
19
At end of road, turn right onto Northwest Independence Highway
0.6 mi·55 sec·Northwest Independence Highway
20
Continue on Corvallis Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Corvallis Road
21
Turn left onto Suver Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Suver Road
22
Turn right onto OR 99W
6.9 mi·9 min·South Pacific Highway West
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on OR 99W
1.0 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on OR 99W
2.7 mi·3 min·South Pacific Highway West
Use the straight lane.
25
Enter roundabout onto OR 99W
145 ft·1 sec·South Pacific Highway West
26
Continue on OR 99W
2.2 mi·3 min·South Pacific Highway West
27
Continue on OR 99W
0.4 mi·47 sec·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on OR 99W
0.1 mi·20 sec·North Pacific Highway West
29
Turn left
0.5 mi·44 sec
Use the left lane.
30
Merge onto OR 22
16 mi·18 min·Salem-Willamina Highway
31
Merge onto OR 18; OR 22
3.7 mi·5 min·Salmon River Highway
32
Turn right onto OR 22
1.2 mi·1 min·Hebo Road
33
Continue on OR 22
1.8 mi·2 min·Southwest Hebo Road
34
Continue on OR 22
11 mi·16 min·Hebo Road
35
Continue on OR 22
3.4 mi·5 min·Three Rivers Highway
36
Continue on OR 22
7.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 22
37
At end of road, turn right onto US 101
17 mi·24 min·Oregon Coast Highway
38
Continue on US 101
1.3 mi·1 min·Main Street
39
Continue on US 101
0.6 mi·1 min·Pacific Avenue
40
Turn right onto OR 6
1.0 mi·1 min·3rd Street
41
Continue on OR 6
0.9 mi·1 min·Wilson River Highway
42
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·28 sec
43
Turn left onto Wilson River Loop
1.4 mi·3 min·Wilson River Loop
44
Continue on Latimer Road North
0.1 mi·21 sec·Latimer Road North
45
Continue on Latimer Road North
1.9 mi·3 min·Latimer Road North
46
Turn right onto US 101
7.2 mi·10 min·Oregon Coast Highway
47
Continue on US 101
1.6 mi·3 min·Garibaldi Avenue
48
Continue on US 101
4.2 mi·7 min·Oregon Coast Highway
49
Turn right onto South Nehalem Avenue
234 ft·10 sec·South Nehalem Avenue
50
Arrive at destination
South Nehalem Avenue
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight, plan to depart Medford in the morning. Since this drive is under seven hours with a single recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the coastal highways where services might be less frequent than on I 5. A good time to refuel would be before you leave I 5, as gas prices can sometimes be higher on the coast. Given the manageable duration, you can easily complete this trip in one day without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.1 miles from Medford, OR, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.5 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 70 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.1 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockaway Beach, 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 316.2 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 202.5 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 233.3 — 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
204.7 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|Highway #001MR - Santiam Highway Connection #1
Take the exit onto Highway #001MR - Santiam Highway Connection #1 toward US 20: Lebanon, Sweet Home
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 20: Lebanon, Sweet Home
6
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 26m in|OR 99W / South Pacific Highway West
Turn right onto OR 99W / South Pacific Highway West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
233.3 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.57 one way
$129.14 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$68.69
$137.39
premium
$5.72
$71.19
$142.39
diesel
$5.35
$66.60
$133.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.9
1
$33.20
$15.18
Efficient EV
79.1
0
$27.67
$12.65
EV Truck/SUV
126.5
1
$44.27
$20.24
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Medford, OR
Afternoon
in Medford on Wednesday
Local time
12:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 2 to 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rockaway Beach, OR
Afternoon
in Rockaway Beach on Wednesday
Local time
12:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
51°F
Salem, OR
158 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
26 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
6h 47m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 66% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates. The longest continuous stretch on I 5 is 202.5 miles. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads, likely noticing a change in traffic patterns and speed limits as you move from I 5 onto the Oregon Coast Highway and Salem-Willamina Highway.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Oregon Coast Highway. You will hit about 24 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West 4th Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 316.2 miles you will encounter 24 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 0.1 miles (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 204.7 miles (Highway #001MR - Santiam Highway Connection #1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,691 ft17 ft
Total Climb
989 ft
Total Descent
2,355 ft
Highest Point
1,691 ft
~45.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,674 ft
Notable High Points
1,691 ft at ~45.2 miles+621 ft prominence
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 Rockaway Beach, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Sweet Home 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 6h 47m. Total distance: 316.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.5 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rockaway Beach, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 204.7 miles (Highway #001MR - Santiam Highway Connection #1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rockaway Beach, OR before the return drive.
