Seaside to Medford is 344.1 miles and takes about 7h via I 5 and Sunset Highway, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip moves you from the Pacific Coast region of Oregon to the southern part of the state, primarily on major highways. Expect a predominantly highway driving experience with a significant portion on I 5. Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172 miles from Seaside, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
261.3 mi
5h 5m
Sunset Highway
35.1 mi
44m
Northwest Sunset Highway
33.8 mi
46m
Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
6.8 mi
9m
South Roosevelt Drive
3.8 mi
7m
Court Street
0.7 mi
1m
North Central Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Crater Lake Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 261.3 mi, about 5h 5m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 114 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,101 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,526
Quietest
1 AM
~176 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Seaside, OR and Medford, OR.
1
Start on Broadway Street
514 ft·17 sec·Broadway Street
2
Turn right onto US 101
3.8 mi·7 min·South Roosevelt Drive
Use the right lane.
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward US 26 East: Portland
4
Continue on US 26
35 mi·44 min·Sunset Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 26
14 mi·19 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on US 26
20 mi·26 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 69AToward OR 217 South: Tigard, SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto OR 217
6.8 mi·9 min·Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 5 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
261 mi·5 hr 5 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto OR 62
0.4 mi·52 sec·Crater Lake Highway
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto OR 99
0.7 mi·1 min·Court Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on OR 99
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East 4th Street
16
Turn left onto North Fir Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Fir Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Fir Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, an early morning departure from Seaside is recommended to maximize daylight and account for any unforeseen traffic. With an estimated fuel cost of $65, it's wise to fill up your tank before leaving the coast. Plan for your 2 stops to break up the 261.3-mile stretch on I 5, ensuring you stay refreshed. Given the route's length and highway profile, you can easily complete this in one day, but the flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your stop times as needed.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172 miles from Seaside, OR, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.3 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 76 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172 miles or 3h 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 5h 47m
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 Seaside, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Seaside, OR
This is one driving day of about 344.1 miles and 7h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Seaside, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 261.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 341.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 101 / South Roosevelt Drive
Turn right onto US 101 / South Roosevelt Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
73 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward OR 217 South: Tigard, Salem
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 69A
Toward OR 217 South: Tigard, Salem
5
73.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Merge onto OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Salem
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Salem
7
341.9 mi into trip|~6h 54m in
Take the exit toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath Falls
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.
Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Kla...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.10 one way
$134.20 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.21
$70.55
$141.11
premium
$5.50
$74.55
$149.10
diesel
$6.75
$91.43
$182.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.2
1
$36.13
$16.52
Efficient EV
86
0
$30.11
$13.76
EV Truck/SUV
137.6
1
$48.17
$22.02
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Seaside, OR
Evening
in Seaside on Sunday
Local time
7:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Medford, OR
Evening
in Medford on Sunday
Local time
7:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Salem, OR
172 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
1 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
7h 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses site...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 78% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 261.3 miles on I 5, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. You'll transition from the Sunset Highway and Northwest Sunset Highway to the interstate, where you'll notice the density of exits and on-ramps as you navigate through various populated areas.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.3 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Sunset Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 101 / South Roosevelt Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
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 344.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 (US 101 / South Roosevelt Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,383 ft18 ft
Total Climb
2,449 ft
Total Descent
1,084 ft
Highest Point
1,383 ft
~344.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,365 ft
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 Seaside, OR to Medford, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Salem along the way.
Seaside is a city on the Northern Oregon Coast. Seaside is one of the most popular beach resorts on the Oregon Coast, helped largely by easy access from Portland.
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 7h. Total distance: 344.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 261.3 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 101 / South Roosevelt Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 73 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.3 miles (OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 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.
