Road Trip - Best route from Medford to Coast (Eugene: rental car, rental)

[Piglet99645]

HI All!

Visiting from Alaska next Month. I've never been to the Oregon coast. We are flying into Medford and will be heading directly for the coast. Plan to see the coast from Florence down to Eureka (I think).

I'm wondering what the most direct/efficient route from Medford to the coast might be. There aren't a lot of choices, and wondering if it makes more sense to take I-5 up to 138/38 and cut across to Reedsport, or rather take 42 across to Bandon.

Is there any advantage to one of these routes over the other? Both take a little over 3 hours, according to Mapquest. But I know those state highways can be hit or miss for efficiency of travel.

Is there another route I am not seeing?

Thanks much.

P.

[Terryj]

If you want to see Florence then why not go north on I-5 to Eugene and then take hwy 126 across to Florence, from Florence you can drive 101 south.

[Sherwoody]

Originally Posted by Terryj

If you want to see Florence then why not go north on I-5 to Eugene and then take hwy 126 across to Florence, from Florence you can drive 101 south.

Or if time permits Corvalis to Newport and then down. Newport is the largest coastal town(?) and a "shouldn't miss."(imo)

[Piglet99645]

Thanks for the feedback. Is there an advantage to 126 vs. 38? Or are you just suggesting we include Eugene in our trip?

[Piglet99645]

I'd like to see the entire coast, but we only have 8 days, in and out of Medford, with our last night in AShland to go to the Shakespeare Festival. I'm thinking Heceta lighthouse is as far North as we will go, as I also want to see the Redwoods.

Keep that feedback coming! This is great.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by Sherwoody

Or if time permits Corvalis to Newport and then down. Newport is the largest coastal town(?) and a "shouldn't miss."(imo)

This is what I was going to say. And a lot to see between Newport and Florence.

[Piglet99645]

Ok, so Medford to Eugene, Corvalis, Newport, Florence, Bandon......... south to Arcata, over to AShland, then back to Medford airport.

That is do-able in 8 days?

Where would you all suggest we overnight? Companion is not a fan of B&B's. I prefer boutique hotels or VRBO's.

This is fun. Thanks!

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by Piglet99645

.....
Where would you all suggest we overnight? Companion is not a fan of B&B's. I prefer boutique hotels or VRBO's.

Ocean view room at the Fireside in Yachats. Guest Room Information at the Fireside Motel on the Oregon Coast. - Fireside Motel

Pictures I took from my room deck last time I stayed there:

[bler144]

8 days seems ample.

If you were driving straight through from Newport to Eureka, that's only about 325 miles road distance. You could do that in one day if you woke up in Newport and wanted to be in Eureka by nightfall, barring slides or road closures.

I think the big question is what time you arrive in Medford and how far you'll want to drive post-arrival. It's unlikely you'd want to drive all the way up to Newport in one day (roughly 4.5 hours) post-flight. Though getting a rental car and out of the Medford airport is pretty easy, that's still seemingly a big first day of travel. In my mind that's the big question mark in your itinerary.

You will miss some nicer stretches farther north (Cannon Beach, Neskowin, etc.), but if you're looking for a nice leisurely bob along the coast Newport to Eureka seems about right, while still giving you time to check out the Redwoods on your way back north.

[jjpop]

Also you don't really need to go all the way to Eureka to enjoy the redwoods. There's plenty to see right around Crescent City. That would save about 90 minutes of driving from CC to Eureka.