We're planning a road trip on I-5 through Oregon. We'll be stopping somewhere between Redding and Mt Shasta then proceding another ~3.5 hours before stopping for the night. That'll put us some 90 miles north of Medford/70 miles south of Eugene. On-line maps don't show much there in terms of chain motels or inns. Is there a reasonably sized town along I-5 between Medford and Eugene?

What's a reasonable cruising speed through Oregon? Is 10 over the limit a bad idea with out of state plates?

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Last year I got into the middle of a hail storm coming over Grant's Pass heading back to the Calif. side thru I-5 . . . quite memorable for an island boy, especially with a logging truck in the lane to the right.

There are plenty of places to bed down along the way on I-5. During the day, theres more than enough regular traffic on I-5 to give you an idea of the pace. I must admit that the radio stations between Chico and Medford leave a lot to be desired.

Last Christmas, I tried the carpool section on Craigslist and got a full car of riders both ways tween here and Seattle. The gas was taken care of by my riders save about $5.

On the way back, a guy who we dropped off in Eugene drove the first leg -- from OlyWA to Eugene. He was trying to make it back for a social event, and held it at 80 all the way. I figured, he was a good driver, my Beemer's a good car, and if he gets a ticket -- it's on him. But, no tickets. Sidenote - I had arranged to pick up another passenger in Eugene to fill the new vacancy. Miracle of cell phones - we picked her up at the same gas station we dropped the first guy at.

It was a fun trip -- drove through the night both ways -- took me back to my footloose days. I second the opinion on Roseburg. Wouldn't be much to choose from anywhere else along that stretch.

If you want a unique breakfast in Eugene, try the Keystone Cafe at 5th and Lawrence. One of the few remaining quintessential hippie cafes remaining that I know of, it's been in business since 1979 and is well worth the price of admission.

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/r_display.asp?restid=1838

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

ROSEBURG SUCKS!!!! -who in their right freakin' mind would recommend Roseburg?!? Drive another hour and go through Eugene.

Tips for Oregon Road trip: Are you with family? small children?
Stop in Ashland for lunch or longer. Has a great feel for what southern Oregon is all about. Go to Lithia Park. Fun lace to stay a night.
If you're only doing this once, make the trip to Crater Lake. It's only about 1 1/2 hours from Medford and it's worth the trip. Roseburg sucks, did I mention that? 10 miles over is o.k. 15 is not recommended. Biggest stretch to watch out for speed traps is North Medford and about twenty miles North of Medford. Also 10 miles before and after Eugene can have numerous speed traps. Have a nice trip, don't stay.

This is not responsive to the original question, but I thought I would chime in anyway. The two best things I saw on my trip to Oregon were Mount Saint Helens (I know it's in Washington, but it's only a short drive from Oregon) and Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. If you like architecture and/or high-end arts and crafts, then you have to see Timberline Lodge. It was a WPA project. The place is full of beautiful wood carvings, wrought iron, mosaics, and other depression era arts and crafts. The quantity and quality of the work they did in building that place are amazing.

Well, I don't find it too groovy either, but it is likely to be the only spot on that stretch with much of a motel.

But you're right, Ashland would be a nicer place to stay the night.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Thanks for all the tips. This is a through trip on the way to Canada. We'll see Oregon another time.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL