Trip from Pendleton, OR to Medford, OR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 5m

Distance

416.6 mi

671 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$83

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 58m ★

6 AM

9h 6m

8 AM

9h 22m

10 AM

9h 12m

12 PM

9h 10m

3 PM

9h 12m

5 PM

9h 21m

8 PM

9h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Pendleton, OR

Wikimedia Commons

Medford, OR

Stephen Leonardi

Trip Overview

This 414.6-mile journey from Pendleton to Medford, Oregon, is estimated to take about 7 hours and 39 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. Expect to spend around $83 on fuel for this drive, which utilizes local roads like Southwest Court Avenue, Southwest 20th Street, and Old Oregon Trail Highway, with no highway driving. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. This route offers a turn-heavy local road experience as you traverse within the Pacific Coast region.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

208.3 miles from Pendleton, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
The Dalles-California Highway	121.9 mi	2h 35m
Sherman Highway	67.7 mi	1h 29m
Columbia River Highway	62.9 mi	1h 7m
Crater Lake Highway	49.9 mi	1h 12m
Old Oregon Trail Highway	41.5 mi	45m
Diamond Lake Highway	23.8 mi	35m
East Diamond Lake Highway	8.4 mi	11m
Old Bend Redmond Highway	6.6 mi	11m

Longest stretch: The Dalles-California Highway — 121.9 mi, about 2h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pendleton, OR and Medford, OR.

Start on this road

94 ft · 12 sec · this road

Turn left onto US 30

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Southwest Court Avenue

Keep slight left at fork onto Southwest Court Avenue

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Southwest Court Avenue

Turn left onto Southwest 20th Street

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Southwest 20th Street

Turn right onto OR 37

281 ft · 5 sec · OR 37

Take the ramp onto US 395

0.4 mi · 54 sec · US 395

Merge onto I 84; US 395

41 mi · 45 min · Old Oregon Trail Highway

Continue on I 84; US 30

63 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Columbia River Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec

Toward US 97: Yakima, Bend

Turn left onto US 97

55 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Sherman Highway

Continue on US 97

0.4 mi · 52 sec · E Street

Turn straight onto US 97

12 mi · 16 min · Sherman Highway

Continue on US 97

25 mi · 29 min · The Dalles-California Highway

Continue on US 97

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Northeast 6th Street

Turn left onto US 26; US 97

264 ft · 12 sec · 4th Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 26; US 97

1.0 mi · 3 min · Southwest 4th Street

Continue on US 26; US 97

26 mi · 37 min · The Dalles-California Highway

Turn right onto US 97 Business

503 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Veterans Way

Turn left onto Southwest Canal Boulevard

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Southwest Canal Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard

60 ft · 1 sec · Southwest Canal Boulevard

Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard

1.4 mi · 3 min · Southwest Canal Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard

112 ft · 2 sec · Southwest Canal Boulevard

Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard

0.8 mi · 1 min · Southwest Canal Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard

125 ft · 2 sec · Southwest Canal Boulevard

Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard

3.8 mi · 6 min · Southwest Canal Boulevard

Continue on Old Bend Redmond Highway

3.5 mi · 6 min · Old Bend Redmond Highway

Enter roundabout onto Old Bend Redmond Highway

121 ft · 2 sec · Old Bend Redmond Highway

Continue on Old Bend Redmond Highway

3.1 mi · 5 min · Old Bend Redmond Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 20

276 ft · 3 sec · McKenzie-Bend Highway

Continue on US 20

0.7 mi · 1 min · McKenzie-Bend Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 20

130 ft · 1 sec · McKenzie-Bend Highway

Continue on US 20

0.4 mi · 36 sec · McKenzie-Bend Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 20

118 ft · 1 sec · McKenzie-Bend Highway

Continue on US 20

0.8 mi · 57 sec · McKenzie-Bend Highway

Turn straight onto US 20; US 97 Business

439 ft · 13 sec · Northeast 3rd Street

Turn left onto Empire Avenue

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Empire Avenue

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto US 97

5.5 mi · 9 min · Bend Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 97

71 mi · 1 hr 28 min · The Dalles-California Highway

Turn right onto OR 138

6.3 mi · 8 min · State Highway 138

Continue on OR 138

8.4 mi · 11 min · East Diamond Lake Highway

Continue on OR 138

3.0 mi · 4 min · North Umpqua Highway

Turn left onto OR 230

24 mi · 35 min · Diamond Lake Highway

Continue on Crater Lake Highway

50 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Crater Lake Highway

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto OR 62

4.4 mi · 6 min · Rogue Valley Expressway

Continue on OR 62

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Crater Lake Highway

Turn left onto Poplar Drive

0.9 mi · 1 min · Poplar Drive

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East McAndrews Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · East McAndrews Road

Turn left onto Biddle Road

512 ft · 18 sec · Biddle Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Biddle Road

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Biddle Road

Keep slight right at fork onto Biddle Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Biddle Road

Keep slight right at fork onto Biddle Road

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Biddle Road

Continue on East 4th Street

0.4 mi · 56 sec · East 4th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto North Fir Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North Fir Street

Arrive at destination

North Fir Street

Trip Plan

Given the 7 hour and 39 minute estimated duration, starting early in the morning is advisable if you plan to complete this 414.6-mile drive in a single day. Pace your two stops to ensure you remain alert and comfortable, especially since this route is described as turn-heavy. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have longer distances between services than major highways, and your estimated fuel cost is $83. A practical tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the sequence of local roads, such as Southwest Court Avenue and Old Oregon Trail Highway, before you depart to minimize any confusion.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 208.3 miles from Pendleton, OR, or about 4h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 92 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 208.3 miles or 4h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 208.3 miles or 4h 10m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 37m

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 Pendleton, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Pendleton, OR

Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Medford, OR

Aim for roughly 208 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Pendleton, OR.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on The Dalles-California Highway for about 121.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Bend, OR

208 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Bend, OR

Overnight Options

Night 1

Bend, OR

208 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bend, OR after about 208 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Sunnyside, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madras, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 208.3 miles from Pendleton, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before The Dalles-California Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 208 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tumalo Feed Company Steakhouse

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tumalo, Oregon

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 238.1

Hours: 4–8 pm

+15413822202

Visit website

Little Pizza Paradise

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bend, Oregon

2.4 mi

Tumalo Feed Company Steakhouse

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 238.1

Tumalo, Oregon

Hours: 4–8 pm

+15413822202

Visit website

Little Pizza Paradise

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 238.1

Bend, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15413122577

Visit website

Currents at the Riverhouse

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 238.1

Bend, Oregon

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15413898810

Visit website

USA Subs & Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.8

Hermiston, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+15415672260

La Palma Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.8

Hermiston, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15412897240

Tacos Y Mas

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.8

Hermiston, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+15412890228

Nookie's Restaurant Home of Brewery Home of Hermiston Brewing

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 29.8

Hermiston, Oregon

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15412897414

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 238.1

Bend, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18665761495

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 416.6

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 238.1

Bend, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 416.6

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 416.6

Central Point, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18888332148

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 416.6

Medford, Oregon

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 226.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in | Southwest 20th Street

Turn left onto Southwest 20th Street

Navigation decision point

105.9 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Take the exit toward US 97: Yakima, Bend

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 97: Yakima, Bend

199.2 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in | US 26; US 97 / 4th Street

Turn left onto US 26; US 97 / 4th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

226.4 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in | Southwest Canal Boulevard

Turn left onto Southwest Canal Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

226.7 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in | Southwest Canal Boulevard

Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$82.99 one way

$165.98 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 146 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$87.83	$175.66
premium	$5.59	$91.70	$183.40
diesel	$5.61	$91.98	$183.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$83

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$213–$323

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 145.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	125	1	$43.74	$20.00
Efficient EV	104.2	1	$36.45	$16.66
EV Truck/SUV	166.6	2	$58.32	$26.66

Gas CO2

146 kg

EV CO2

49 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Pendleton, OR

Evening in Pendleton on Saturday

Local time

6:16 PM

PDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Medford, OR

Evening in Medford on Saturday

Local time

6:16 PM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

11 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

9h 5m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local road experience, with a 0% highway share. You won't be encountering long stretches of fast-paced interstate travel; instead, anticipate a more engaging drive that navigates through local communities. The route's profile suggests a constant need for attention due to frequent turns and changes in road conditions. While there's no specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the local nature of the roads implies a varied driving pace throughout the 7 hours and 39 minutes.

Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

55 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 121.9 mi on The Dalles-California Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Southwest 20th Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 416.6 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 0.9 miles (Southwest 20th Street): Navigation decision point; at 105.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.2 miles (US 26; US 97 / 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here.

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 Pendleton, OR to Medford, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Bend along the way.

Bend

105.9 mi in | ~1h 55m

Who Is This Route For?

Solo Traveler

9h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 121.9 miles on The Dalles-California Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 208 miles on day one.

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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Pendleton, OR or browse trips ending in Medford, OR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse OR road trips.

Trip from Pendleton, OR to Medford, OR

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Tumalo Feed Company Steakhouse

Tumalo Feed Company Steakhouse

Little Pizza Paradise

Currents at the Riverhouse

USA Subs & Grill

La Palma Mexican Restaurant

Tacos Y Mas

Nookie's Restaurant Home of Brewery Home of Hermiston Brewing

Rivian Adventure Network

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

The Children's Museum of Southern Oregon

Crunch Time!

Hawthorne Park Playground

Nightmares on the Rogue

Downtown Medford Visitor Center

Fichtner-Mainwaring Park

Bear Creek Park

Stumpt! Escape Games

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pendleton, OR

Medford, OR

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

9h 5m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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