What is the best route to take from Gold Beach to Crater Lake? Approximately how long will the drive be?

Thanks

According to the Gold Beach local I asked, head south on US 101 to 199, then NE back up to I-5 at Grants Pass, to Medford where you catch OR 62 up to the lake. This route takes you through a couple redwood groves, and along the Smith River; a very scenic drive. I think it's about 4 - 4.5 hours.

There is another more direct road that runs along the Rogue. But it's narrow, windy, and there aren't always guardrails where you'd expect/want them to be. The Gold Beach local advised against it.

The route along the Rogue River sounds like fun to me. According to map.google.com Crater Lake is 182 miles and less than 4 hours by that route.

Crater Lake via 199 and Grants Pass is 221 miles and 4 3/4 hours.

Driving is slow going in this part of Oregon. You have to figure on about 45 miles per hour whichever route you choose.

We should probably ask when you're planning to do this. The route along the Rogue is the same one the Kim family tried to take late last fall (reverse direction though).

Really? I understood the Kim family drove off the main road between Gold Beach and Merlin--on Oregon 4 or something like that.

A more scenic and less repetitive route (assuming you'd have already covered the Gold Beach - Crescent City bit already) is to continue north on 101 to Reedsport, then cut over to I-5 at Sutherland via SR 38 and 138. From Sutherlin you can make it to the north entrance to Crater Lake easily enough.

I think you should plan on any route taking the bulk of a day, regardless.

I haven't driven the Rogue route but would also like to try it someday.

We are going in mid-August. Thanks to all for your suggestions. It seems we have several options to consider.

I hope you are planning to spend a night or two at th Tu TU Tun Inn in Gold Beach.

Not equaled in the US

That's the plan. Then drive to Crater Lake.

I've driven the Gold Beach to Galice Road several times. It is a 1 lane paved forest road with turnouts. Quite beautiful, as you soar far above the river, but somewhat scary if you're not used to mountain driving. Going back down to Brookings is not bad, as the drive on 199 is visually nice too.
The drive up through Union Creek is fun, or take
Dead Indian up the back way through Ashland,
if you're taking 2 days to get there.