Warrenton to Medford is 356.3 miles and takes about 7h 21m via I 5 and Sunset Highway, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you from the Pacific Coast region in northern Oregon down through varied terrain to the southern part of the state. It's primarily a highway drive, making it efficient for covering ground. If you're looking for a straightforward trip with minimal fuss, this is a solid option for a single-day excursion.
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
178.1 miles from Warrenton, OR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 49m 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
Oregon Coast Highway
5.7 mi
7m
North Roosevelt Drive
5.1 mi
9m
Park Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
North Main Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 261.3 mi, about 5h 5m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 55 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,104 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,482
Quietest
1 AM
~172 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
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 Warrenton, OR and Medford, OR.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left
124 ft·13 sec
3
Turn left onto OR 104
1.5 mi·3 min·North Main Avenue
4
Continue on OR 104
1.2 mi·1 min·Fort Stevens Highway
5
Turn right onto US 101
5.6 mi·7 min·Oregon Coast Highway
6
Continue on US 101
2.6 mi·4 min·Park Avenue
7
Continue on US 101
0.1 mi·13 sec·Oregon Coast Highway
8
Continue on US 101
5.1 mi·9 min·North Roosevelt Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward US 26 East: Portland
10
Continue on US 26
35 mi·44 min·Sunset Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 26
14 mi·19 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 26
20 mi·26 min·Northwest Sunset Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 69AToward OR 217 South: Tigard, SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto OR 217
6.8 mi·9 min·Beaverton-Tigard Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 5 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 5
261 mi·5 hr 5 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward OR 62: Crater Lake Highway, Medford, Klamath FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto OR 62
0.4 mi·52 sec·Crater Lake Highway
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto OR 99
0.7 mi·1 min·Court Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on OR 99
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·East 4th Street
22
Turn left onto North Fir Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Fir Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Fir Street
Trip Plan
Consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a duration of just over 7 hours, this trip is perfectly manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You have 2 planned stops, which should be sufficient for stretching your legs and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 261.3-mile stretch on I 5, as services can sometimes be spread out on long highway segments.
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 178.1 miles from Warrenton, OR, or about 3h 49m 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 78 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.1 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
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 Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, OR
This is one driving day of about 356.3 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Warrenton, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 85.2 and 354.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
85.2 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
92.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
5
92.8 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
354.1 mi into trip|~7h 15m 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
$63.14 one way
$126.28 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$67.61
$135.23
premium
$5.04
$70.73
$141.45
diesel
$4.80
$67.28
$134.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.9
1
$37.41
$17.10
Efficient EV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
EV Truck/SUV
142.5
1
$49.88
$22.80
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Warrenton, OR
Evening
in Warrenton on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
Destination
Medford, OR
Evening
in Medford on Saturday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
NNW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 1:44AM PDT until July 17 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
90°F
Salem, OR
178 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 21m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 75% of the route on major roads like I 5 and the Sunset Highway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 261.3 miles on I 5, so expect a good amount of consistent cruising. The highway driving concludes as you transition to surface roads for the remaining portion of the trip. Be prepared for the typical merging and traffic patterns associated with interstate travel.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 85.2 miles in.
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 356.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.5 miles (OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,739 ft9 ft
Total Climb
2,939 ft
Total Descent
1,566 ft
Highest Point
1,739 ft
~305.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,729 ft
Notable High Points
906 ft at ~50.9 miles+520 ft prominence
1,739 ft at ~305.4 miles+636 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 Warrenton, OR to Medford, OR, road signs begin pointing toward Salem along the way.
Warrenton is a small town located in the Northwestern corner of Oregon. It is the second to last town on the Northern Oregon Coast. There is one last town on the coast of Oregon called Hammond, however locals in the area view them as the same town.
Top landmarks
•Fort Stevens — historic military installation in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States
•Daniel Knight Warren House — Warrenton, Oregon, NRHP-listed
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 21m. Total distance: 356.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m 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 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.5 miles (OR 217 / Beaverton-Tigard Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 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.
