Local knowledge will step in where I'm wrong. We did the 5 to Bend to the Columbia River several years ago. Don't think there is an easy way from Medford to Crater Lake and Bend. Unless there is something you must see/do in Medford take 97 out of Weed CA. to Crater Lake and Bend. When we did the that route and headed to 84 to go to Portland we were advised to take 97 all the way and avoid 197 (couple steep grades). On 97 there's a fairly large pull out with rock monuments that when facing them show where the big mountains are located. Then there is the prevailing gale that blows from the Pacific eastward. The effect depends on the RV you're using.
