Medford to Sherwood is 262.9 miles and takes about 5 hours 13 minutes via I 5, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Oregon, traversing the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on the interstate, making it a good option if you want to get to your destination efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's easily manageable in a single day.
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
131.4 miles from Medford, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
255.5 mi
4h 58m
Southwest Tonquin Road
1.8 mi
3m
North Riverside Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Southwest Willamette Street
0.7 mi
1m
Basalt Creek Parkway
0.7 mi
1m
Southwest Day Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Crater Lake Highway
0.4 mi
1m
Southwest Grahams Ferry Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 255.5 mi, about 4h 58m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,808 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,156
Quietest
1 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
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 Sherwood, 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
255 mi·4 hr 57 min·I 5
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto I 5
0.3 mi·27 sec·I 5
Exit 286Toward Elligsen Road, Boones Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
158 ft·9 sec·I 5
Toward Boones Ferry RoadUse the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Southwest Elligsen Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Southwest Elligsen Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on Southwest Boones Ferry Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Southwest Boones Ferry Road
12
Turn left onto Southwest Day Street
0.6 mi·54 sec·Southwest Day Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Southwest Grahams Ferry Road
0.4 mi·48 sec·Southwest Grahams Ferry Road
14
Turn left onto Basalt Creek Parkway
0.7 mi·1 min·Basalt Creek Parkway
15
Turn left onto Southwest Tonquin Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Southwest Tonquin Road
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto Southwest Oregon Street
329 ft·7 sec·Southwest Oregon Street
17
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Murdock Road
292 ft·5 sec·Southwest Murdock Road
18
Continue on Southwest Murdock Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Southwest Murdock Road
19
Turn right onto Southwest Willamette Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Southwest Willamette Street
20
Turn right onto Southwest Pine Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Southwest Pine Street
21
Arrive at destination
Southwest Pine Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of about 5 hours, leaving Medford in the morning will get you to Sherwood with plenty of daylight to spare. You have the flexibility to stop as needed, but the route data suggests only one stop is planned, so factor that into your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long stretch on I 5, and note that the estimated fuel cost is around $55. As you approach Sherwood, be prepared for increased local traffic and more complex intersections off the main highway.
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 131.4 miles from Medford, OR, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 255.5 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.4 miles or 2h 36m 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 Sherwood, 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 262.9 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 255.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 257.7 — 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
8
257.4 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|I 5
Take the exit onto I 5 toward Elligsen Road, Boones Ferry Road
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 286
Toward Elligsen Road, Boones Ferry Road
8
257.7 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward Boones Ferry Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Boones Ferry Road
6
257.7 mi into trip|~5h 4m in|Southwest Elligsen Road
Turn left onto Southwest Elligsen Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.69 one way
$107.37 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$57.11
$114.23
premium
$5.72
$59.19
$118.39
diesel
$5.35
$55.37
$110.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.60
$12.62
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.81
$16.83
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Medford, OR
Afternoon
in Medford on Wednesday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sherwood, OR
Afternoon
in Sherwood on Wednesday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
NNW 5 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
2 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 13m 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?
You'll spend most of your time on I 5, with 97% of the route being highway. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 255.5 miles on I 5. As you near Sherwood, you'll transition off the interstate onto local roads like Southwest Tonquin Road and North Riverside Avenue for the final few miles. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach the Portland metropolitan area.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 255.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Southwest Tonquin Road. You will hit about 15 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 262.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 257.4 miles (I 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,522 ft185 ft
Total Climb
647 ft
Total Descent
1,829 ft
Highest Point
1,522 ft
~56.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,337 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 13m. Total distance: 262.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m 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 255.5 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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.
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 26 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 257.4 miles (I 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sherwood, OR before the return drive.
