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
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~670 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,158
Quietest
2 AM
~73 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
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 Pendleton, OR and Medford, OR.
1
Start on this road
94 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 30
0.6 mi·57 sec·Southwest Court Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto Southwest Court Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Southwest Court Avenue
4
Turn left onto Southwest 20th Street
0.2 mi·15 sec·Southwest 20th Street
5
Turn right onto OR 37
281 ft·5 sec·OR 37
6
Take the ramp onto US 395
0.4 mi·54 sec·US 395
7
Merge onto I 84; US 395
41 mi·45 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
8
Continue on I 84; US 30
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·Columbia River Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward US 97: Yakima, Bend
10
Turn left onto US 97
55 mi·1 hr 12 min·Sherman Highway
11
Continue on US 97
0.4 mi·52 sec·E Street
12
Turn straight onto US 97
12 mi·16 min·Sherman Highway
13
Continue on US 97
25 mi·29 min·The Dalles-California Highway
14
Continue on US 97
0.2 mi·32 sec·Northeast 6th Street
15
Turn left onto US 26; US 97
264 ft·12 sec·4th Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 26; US 97
1.0 mi·3 min·Southwest 4th Street
17
Continue on US 26; US 97
26 mi·37 min·The Dalles-California Highway
18
Turn right onto US 97 Business
503 ft·14 sec·Southwest Veterans Way
19
Turn left onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
0.3 mi·47 sec·Southwest Canal Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
60 ft·1 sec·Southwest Canal Boulevard
21
Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard
1.4 mi·3 min·Southwest Canal Boulevard
22
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
112 ft·2 sec·Southwest Canal Boulevard
23
Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard
0.8 mi·1 min·Southwest Canal Boulevard
24
Enter roundabout onto Southwest Canal Boulevard
125 ft·2 sec·Southwest Canal Boulevard
25
Continue on Southwest Canal Boulevard
3.8 mi·6 min·Southwest Canal Boulevard
26
Continue on Old Bend Redmond Highway
3.5 mi·6 min·Old Bend Redmond Highway
27
Enter roundabout onto Old Bend Redmond Highway
121 ft·2 sec·Old Bend Redmond Highway
28
Continue on Old Bend Redmond Highway
3.1 mi·5 min·Old Bend Redmond Highway
29
Enter roundabout onto US 20
276 ft·3 sec·McKenzie-Bend Highway
30
Continue on US 20
0.7 mi·1 min·McKenzie-Bend Highway
31
Enter roundabout onto US 20
130 ft·1 sec·McKenzie-Bend Highway
32
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi·36 sec·McKenzie-Bend Highway
33
Enter roundabout onto US 20
118 ft·1 sec·McKenzie-Bend Highway
34
Continue on US 20
0.8 mi·57 sec·McKenzie-Bend Highway
35
Turn straight onto US 20; US 97 Business
439 ft·13 sec·Northeast 3rd Street
36
Turn left onto Empire Avenue
0.2 mi·20 sec·Empire Avenue
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
38
Merge onto US 97
5.5 mi·9 min·Bend Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on US 97
71 mi·1 hr 28 min·The Dalles-California Highway
40
Turn right onto OR 138
6.3 mi·8 min·State Highway 138
41
Continue on OR 138
8.4 mi·11 min·East Diamond Lake Highway
42
Continue on OR 138
3.0 mi·4 min·North Umpqua Highway
43
Turn left onto OR 230
24 mi·35 min·Diamond Lake Highway
44
Continue on Crater Lake Highway
50 mi·1 hr 11 min·Crater Lake Highway
Use the straight lane.
45
Turn right onto OR 62
4.4 mi·6 min·Rogue Valley Expressway
46
Continue on OR 62
0.4 mi·39 sec·Crater Lake Highway
47
Turn left onto Poplar Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Poplar Drive
Use the left lane.
48
Turn right onto East McAndrews Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·East McAndrews Road
49
Turn left onto Biddle Road
512 ft·18 sec·Biddle Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
50
Keep slight right at fork onto Biddle Road
0.1 mi·13 sec·Biddle Road
51
Keep slight right at fork onto Biddle Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Biddle Road
52
Keep slight right at fork onto Biddle Road
0.3 mi·29 sec·Biddle Road
53
Continue on East 4th Street
0.4 mi·56 sec·East 4th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
54
Turn left onto North Fir Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Fir Street
55
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
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.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~1m in|Southwest 20th Street
Turn left onto Southwest 20th Street
Navigation decision point
5
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
5
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.
5
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.
6
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
$73.82 one way
$147.65 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg146 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$79.06
$158.11
premium
$5.04
$82.70
$165.39
diesel
$4.80
$78.66
$157.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
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, 2026-07-13.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Pendleton, OR
Evening
in Pendleton on Saturday
Local time
6:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 to 18 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 1:07PM PDT until July 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 1:07PM PDT until July 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Medford, OR
Evening
in Medford on Saturday
Local time
6:29 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
WSW 0 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 1:07PM PDT until July 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 1:07PM PDT until July 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
1 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
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Crater Lake National Park
National Park
Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow,...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
$30
near mile 330.4
Park Closure: Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for Rehabilitation
Park Closure: North Entrance Road and Rim Drive are CLOSED for the Season
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort8/10
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.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,197 ft289 ft
Total Climb
5,055 ft
Total Descent
4,741 ft
Highest Point
5,197 ft
~327.4 mi in
Elevation Range
4,909 ft
Notable High Points
5,197 ft at ~327.4 miles+655 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 Pendleton, OR to Medford, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Bend along the way.
Pendleton is a city of 17,000 people (2019) in Eastern Oregon. The city is set in a pleasant valley set among hilly cropland on the I-84 several hours east of Portland. It is the location of one of the manufacturing plants of Pendleton Woolen Mills.
Top landmarks
•John F. Kilkenny United States Post Office and Courthouse — courthouse in Pendleton, United States of America
•Masonic Temple — historic building in Pendleton, Oregon, United States
•Pendleton Center for the Arts — art center in Pendleton, Oregon, USA
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
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 17 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 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Crater Lake National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
