Interstate 5 North - Grants Pass

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Interstate 5

West of Central Point, Interstate 5 travels toward Gold Hill, Rogue River and Grants Pass. The freeway turns north at U.S. 199 in Grants Pass.

The city of Grants Pass began in 1865 as the site of a stage station and post office. The site was named "Grant" in honor of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, however that would quickly be changed as another Grant, Oregon already existed at the time. At the same time a new roadway linking the area with Merlin to the north was constructed. Crews working on the project suggested calling the road over the pass of Merlin Hill, Grant's Pass. The name caught on and eventually encompassed the post office. In 1883 the Southern Pacific Railroad line entered the valley and the community of Grants Pass grew. Expansion of Grants Pass followed as the town prospered as a shipping center. Incorporation followed in 1885 at the same time Grants Pass became the seat of government for Josephine County.

Interstate 5 North
Interstate 5 Oregon State Route 99 North
Lower Table Rock rises prominently to the north adjacent to the Rogue River Valley
2 photos

Lower Table Rock rises prominently to the north adjacent to the Rogue River Valley

03/31/05

OR 99 is omitted from reassurance shields along Interstate 5 between Exits 35 and 40.

OR 99 is omitted from reassurance shields along Interstate 5 between Exits 35 and 40.

07/15/23

A barrier median separates the roadways along I-5/OR 99 (Pacific Highway) where the freeway heads west to Hidden Valley.

A barrier median separates the roadways along I-5/OR 99 (Pacific Highway) where the freeway heads west to Hidden Valley.

05/28/06

Beyond Milepost 38 and south of Blackwell Hill, I-5/OR 99 descend toward the Rogue River valley.

Beyond Milepost 38 and south of Blackwell Hill, I-5/OR 99 descend toward the Rogue River valley.

05/28/06

OR 99 branches north from I-5 alongside OR 234 (Gold Hill Spur) from the diamond interchange (Exit 40) with Old Stage Road. OR 99/234 turn west at Blackwell Road and cross the Rogue River along 2nd Avenue into Gold Hill. Incorporated in 1895, Gold Hill began as a mining town after the discovery of a single gold nugget. The town grew as a trading post.

OR 99 branches north from I-5 alongside OR 234 (Gold Hill Spur) from the diamond interchange (Exit 40) with Old Stage Road. OR 99/234 turn west at Blackwell Road and cross the Rogue River along 2nd Avenue into Gold Hill. Incorporated in 1895, Gold Hill began as a mining town after the discovery of a single gold nugget. The town grew as a trading post.

07/15/23

Old Stage Road travels seven miles northwest from Beall Lane outside of Central Point to I-5 at Exit 40. OR 234 is an Oregon Scenic Byway from Gold Hill northeast to OR 62 north of Eagle Point. The scenic byway extends along OR 62 northeast to OR 230, and on OR 230 and OR 138 around Crater and Diamond Lakes.

Old Stage Road travels seven miles northwest from Beall Lane outside of Central Point to I-5 at Exit 40. OR 234 is an Oregon Scenic Byway from Gold Hill northeast to OR 62 north of Eagle Point. The scenic byway extends along OR 62 northeast to OR 230, and on OR 230 and OR 138 around Crater and Diamond Lakes.

07/15/23

Interstate 5 North
Interstate 5 passes just south of the Gold City line adjacent to the Rogue River.

Interstate 5 passes just south of the Gold City line adjacent to the Rogue River.

05/28/06

I-5 and nearby OR 99 parallel the Rogue River west from Gold Hill to the Josephine County line and Grants Pass. Salem, Oregon debuts on distance signs at 216 miles out.

I-5 and nearby OR 99 parallel the Rogue River west from Gold Hill to the Josephine County line and Grants Pass. Salem, Oregon debuts on distance signs at 216 miles out.

07/15/23

OR 99 heads west from Gold Hill to Rock Point, where the highway turns south across Rogue River on a concrete arch bridge built in 1920. ODOT signs OR 99 east from the access road at Exit 43 to Gold Hill dually with OR 234, despite inventorying the Gold Hill Spur from Exit 40 as OR 234.

OR 99 heads west from Gold Hill to Rock Point, where the highway turns south across Rogue River on a concrete arch bridge built in 1920. ODOT signs OR 99 east from the access road at Exit 43 to Gold Hill dually with OR 234, despite inventorying the Gold Hill Spur from Exit 40 as OR 234.

05/28/06

OR 234 west ends at the diamond interchange (Exit 43) with Interstate 5 between OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) and Profetta Lane.

OR 234 west ends at the diamond interchange (Exit 43) with Interstate 5 between OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) and Profetta Lane.

07/15/23

Although not acknowledged from I-5 northbound at Exit 43, OR 234 travels 17.48 miles overall between Exit 43 and OR 62 east of Sams Valley.

Although not acknowledged from I-5 northbound at Exit 43, OR 234 travels 17.48 miles overall between Exit 43 and OR 62 east of Sams Valley.

05/28/06

OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) crosses paths with Interstate 5 again at a folded diamond interchange (Exit 45 A) adjacent to the Rogue River.

OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) crosses paths with Interstate 5 again at a folded diamond interchange (Exit 45 A) adjacent to the Rogue River.

07/15/23

Located along the north bank of the Rogue River off Exit 45 B, Valley of the Rogue State Park acts as a rest area for Interstate 5 travelers.

Located along the north bank of the Rogue River off Exit 45 B, Valley of the Rogue State Park acts as a rest area for Interstate 5 travelers.

07/15/23

Staying south of the Rogue River, OR 99 continues west from Exit 45 A to Foots Creek, to the city of Rogue River and Grants Pass.

Staying south of the Rogue River, OR 99 continues west from Exit 45 A to Foots Creek, to the city of Rogue River and Grants Pass.

07/15/23

Interstate 5 crosses the Rogue River southwest ahead of the folded diamond interchange (Exit 45 B) with the access road to Valley of the Rogue State Park.

Interstate 5 crosses the Rogue River southwest ahead of the folded diamond interchange (Exit 45 B) with the access road to Valley of the Rogue State Park.

07/15/23

Exit 45 B loops away from I-5 northbound to Valley of the Rogue State Park and North River Road. North River Road runs east back to OR 99/234 at Rock Point and west to the city of Rogue River.

Exit 45 B loops away from I-5 northbound to Valley of the Rogue State Park and North River Road. North River Road runs east back to OR 99/234 at Rock Point and west to the city of Rogue River.

07/15/23

The Rogue River derives its name from native Americans that settled along the banks. Trappers and traders later settled in the valley and the discovery of gold in 1851 brought thousands of miners to the area. Gold mining prospered here with over $70 million of the precious metals taken. Once the gold reserves tapped out, the economic staple of the area switched to agriculture.

The Rogue River derives its name from native Americans that settled along the banks. Trappers and traders later settled in the valley and the discovery of gold in 1851 brought thousands of miners to the area. Gold mining prospered here with over $70 million of the precious metals taken. Once the gold reserves tapped out, the economic staple of the area switched to agriculture.

07/15/23

Interstate 5 straddles the north banks of the Rogue River to Exit 48 in Rogue River.

Interstate 5 straddles the north banks of the Rogue River to Exit 48 in Rogue River.

03/31/05

The diamond interchange (Exit 48) with Depot Street links I-5 with OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) and Main Street in Downtown Rogue River. Pine Street and West Evans Creek Road head north into the adjacent mountains. The Savage Rapids Dam was formerly located four miles east of Grants Pass nearby. The controversial dam was constructed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to serve the Grants Pass Irrigation District. Opponents of the structure advocated for its removal, claiming that the blockage was detrimental to the passage of salmon and steelhead. Federal legislation agreeing with the claim was passed and the dam was fully removed by 2009 and replaced with pumps.

The diamond interchange (Exit 48) with Depot Street links I-5 with OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) and Main Street in Downtown Rogue River. Pine Street and West Evans Creek Road head north into the adjacent mountains. The Savage Rapids Dam was formerly located four miles east of Grants Pass nearby. The controversial dam was constructed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to serve the Grants Pass Irrigation District. Opponents of the structure advocated for its removal, claiming that the blockage was detrimental to the passage of salmon and steelhead. Federal legislation agreeing with the claim was passed and the dam was fully removed by 2009 and replaced with pumps.

03/31/05

Interstate 5 leaves the city of Rogue River and continues seven miles to the Josephine County seat of Grants Pass. Eugene appears for the first time at 145 miles out.

Interstate 5 leaves the city of Rogue River and continues seven miles to the Josephine County seat of Grants Pass. Eugene appears for the first time at 145 miles out.

03/31/05

Interstate 5 bends along the trajectory of the Rogue River ahead of Grants Pass. A speedometer check section lies along the approach to the Josephine County line.

Interstate 5 bends along the trajectory of the Rogue River ahead of Grants Pass. A speedometer check section lies along the approach to the Josephine County line.

05/28/06

Interstate 5 enters Josephine County.

Interstate 5 enters Josephine County.

05/28/06

The next two interchange on northbound Interstate 5 serve the city of Grants Pass: Exit 55, U.S. 199 south and Exit 58, OR 99 and Business U.S. 199 (6th and 7th Streets) south.
2 photos

The next two interchange on northbound Interstate 5 serve the city of Grants Pass: Exit 55, U.S. 199 south and Exit 58, OR 99 and Business U.S. 199 (6th and 7th Streets) south.

05/28/06

Traveling west toward trumpet interchange (Exit 55) with the east end of U.S. 199 at Grants Pass on I-5. U.S. 199 follows Redwood Highway southwest from Grants Pass to the California state line south of O'Brien. Redwood forests spread along the ocean facing mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon.

Traveling west toward trumpet interchange (Exit 55) with the east end of U.S. 199 at Grants Pass on I-5. U.S. 199 follows Redwood Highway southwest from Grants Pass to the California state line south of O'Brien. Redwood forests spread along the ocean facing mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon.

05/28/06

U.S. 199 (Grants Pass Highway) follows a bypass of Downtown Grants Pass between Exit 55 and OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) and OR 238 (Williams Highway). Redwood Highway (former U.S. 199) overlays OR 99 (6th and 7th Streets) through Downtown. U.S. 199 and Redwood Highway combine west of OR 99/238 en route to Wilderville, Selma and Cave Junction. U.S. 199 ends at Crescent City (U.S. 101) along the Pacific coastline in Del Norte County, California.

U.S. 199 (Grants Pass Highway) follows a bypass of Downtown Grants Pass between Exit 55 and OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) and OR 238 (Williams Highway). Redwood Highway (former U.S. 199) overlays OR 99 (6th and 7th Streets) through Downtown. U.S. 199 and Redwood Highway combine west of OR 99/238 en route to Wilderville, Selma and Cave Junction. U.S. 199 ends at Crescent City (U.S. 101) along the Pacific coastline in Del Norte County, California.

05/28/06

I-5 angles northwest from U.S. 199 along the Grants Pass street grid.

I-5 angles northwest from U.S. 199 along the Grants Pass street grid.

05/28/06

Forthcoming Exit 58 joins the freeway with the one way couplet of OR 99 (6th & 7th Streets) in north Grants Pass. OR 99 travels through Downtown between U.S. 199 (Grants Pass Highway / Redwood Highway) and OR 238 (Williams Highway).

Forthcoming Exit 58 joins the freeway with the one way couplet of OR 99 (6th & 7th Streets) in north Grants Pass. OR 99 travels through Downtown between U.S. 199 (Grants Pass Highway / Redwood Highway) and OR 238 (Williams Highway).

05/28/06

Exit 58 serves the National Historic District of Grants Pass and the Oregon Caves National Monument. Oregon Caves N.M. is 19 miles east of U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway) and Cave Junction via OR 46 (Caves Highway). A marble cave lies below and old coniferous forest that includes the widest known Douglas-fir tree in Oregon.

Exit 58 serves the National Historic District of Grants Pass and the Oregon Caves National Monument. Oregon Caves N.M. is 19 miles east of U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway) and Cave Junction via OR 46 (Caves Highway). A marble cave lies below and old coniferous forest that includes the widest known Douglas-fir tree in Oregon.

05/28/06

OR 99 follows 6th Street (north) and 7th Street (south) through the Grants Pass city center. The state route follows Rogue River Highway east from U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway) and OR 238 (Williams Highway) to Fruitdale.

OR 99 follows 6th Street (north) and 7th Street (south) through the Grants Pass city center. The state route follows Rogue River Highway east from U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway) and OR 238 (Williams Highway) to Fruitdale.

05/28/06

At the base of the ramp is this sign, pointing to the city center and Oregon Caves National Park via a left turn onto OR 99 south.

At the base of the ramp is this sign, pointing to the city center and Oregon Caves National Park via a left turn onto OR 99 south.

05/28/06

Interstate 5 Oregon State Route 99 North
Although not signed, OR 99 combines with I-5 north for the second time between Grants Pass (Exit 58) and Tri City (Exit 103). The succeeding exit northbound is with Merlin Road. Merlin Road stems west from Highland Avenue (Historic U.S. 99) and Exit 61 west 4.5 miles to the unincorporated community of Merlin.

Although not signed, OR 99 combines with I-5 north for the second time between Grants Pass (Exit 58) and Tri City (Exit 103). The succeeding exit northbound is with Merlin Road. Merlin Road stems west from Highland Avenue (Historic U.S. 99) and Exit 61 west 4.5 miles to the unincorporated community of Merlin.

03/31/05

The Manzanita Rest Area lies north of the diamond interchange (Exit 61) with Merin Road.

The Manzanita Rest Area lies north of the diamond interchange (Exit 61) with Merin Road.

03/31/05

Exit 61 parts ways with I-5 north for Merlin Road west and Highland Avenue (old U.S. 99). Merlin Road travels west to Merlin to Galice and Hugo Roads. Merlin is the gateway to the "The Wild & Scenic Rogue River" and Hellgate Canyon.

Exit 61 parts ways with I-5 north for Merlin Road west and Highland Avenue (old U.S. 99). Merlin Road travels west to Merlin to Galice and Hugo Roads. Merlin is the gateway to the "The Wild & Scenic Rogue River" and Hellgate Canyon.

03/31/05

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Connect with:

U.S. 199U.S. 199 Oregon
Oregon State Route 99Route 99 and Historic U.S. 99

Page Updated Saturday August 16, 2025.