Trip from City of Janesville, WI to Combined Locks, WI

Drive Time

2h 53m

Distance

130.4 mi

210 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 42m ★

6 AM

2h 53m

8 AM

3h 16m

10 AM

3h 1m

12 PM

2h 59m

3 PM

3h 2m

5 PM

3h 15m

8 PM

2h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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City of Janesville, WI

Tom Fisk

Combined Locks, WI

Athena Sandrini

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Janesville to Combined Locks, you are looking at a 130.4-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making it a budget-friendly option for a Midwest weekend getaway. Because this trip is entirely within Wisconsin, you will stay within the same regional landscape while moving between the southern and central parts of the state. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that minimizes navigation stress, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

65.2 miles from City of Janesville, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as 82% of your travel time will be spent on highways like WI 26 and I-41. The drive begins with a 44-mile stretch on WI 26, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your journey. As you transition from local state highways onto the interstate system, the character of the road shifts from regional thoroughfares to the faster-paced flow of I-41. This highway-heavy profile means you spend most of your time maintaining a steady cruising speed rather than navigating complex intersections. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

WI 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 44 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 26 and State Highway 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.8 miles in near CTH W / West North Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 130.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 58.8 miles (CTH W / West North Street): Navigation decision point; at 100.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

58.8 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | CTH W / West North Street

At end of road, turn right onto CTH W / West North Street

Navigation decision point

100.3 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | I 41; US 41

Merge onto I 41; US 41 toward Appleton

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Appleton

119.8 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in

Take the exit toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 134A Toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point

120.1 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 10 East, WI 441 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 134A Toward US 10 East, WI 441 North

127.6 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in

Take the exit toward CTH CE: College Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CTH CE: College Avenue

Towns Along This Route

Between City of Janesville, WI and Combined Locks, WI, road signs point toward Green_Bay and Appleton.

Green_Bay

100 mi in | ~2h 16m

Appleton

100.3 mi in | ~2h 16m | via I 41; US 41

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
WI 26	44 mi	54m
State Highway 26	33.3 mi	46m
I 41	19.6 mi	20m
Milton Avenue	14.2 mi	20m
Tri-County Expressway	6.5 mi	7m
US 151	3.8 mi	4m
South Main Street	1 mi	2m
North Main Street	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: WI 26 — 44 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville, WI and Combined Locks, WI.

Start on East Court Street

148 ft · 6 sec · East Court Street

Turn right onto Harrison Street

513 ft · 26 sec · Harrison Street

Turn left onto East Milwaukee Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · East Milwaukee Street

Turn sharp right onto Milton Avenue

14 mi · 20 min · Milton Avenue

Continue on WI 26

21 mi · 26 min · WI 26

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WI 26

23 mi · 27 min · WI 26

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Western Avenue

0.3 mi · 51 sec · Western Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto CTH W

0.6 mi · 1 min · West North Street

At end of road, turn left onto WI 26

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Continue on WI 26

5.6 mi · 7 min · State Highway 26

Continue on WI 26

0.5 mi · 1 min · Front Street

Continue on WI 26

6.7 mi · 9 min · State Highway 26

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto US 151

3.8 mi · 4 min · US 151

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward WI 26 North: Rosendale

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Turn left onto State Highway 26

10 mi · 13 min · State Highway 26

Continue on WI 26

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on WI 26

11 mi · 15 min · State Highway 26

Turn left

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I-41_North: Appleton, Green_Bay

Merge onto I 41; US 41

20 mi · 20 min · I 41; US 41

Toward Appleton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 19 sec

Exit 134A Toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 45 sec

Exit 134A Toward US 10 East, WI 441 North

Merge onto US 10; WI 441

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge

Continue on US 10; WI 441

6.5 mi · 7 min · Tri-County Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward CTH CE: College Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

509 ft · 12 sec

Turn straight onto CTH CE

0.3 mi · 27 sec · County Road CE

Enter roundabout onto CTH CE

160 ft · 2 sec · County Road CE

Continue on CTH CE

0.3 mi · 27 sec · County Road CE

Turn slight left

0.1 mi · 24 sec

Turn left onto Railroad Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Railroad Street

Enter roundabout onto Marcella Street

14 ft · 0 sec · Marcella Street

Continue on Marcella Street

101 ft · 2 sec · Marcella Street

Continue on West Kennedy Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Kennedy Avenue

Turn left onto CTH N

0.3 mi · 53 sec · South Washington Street

Turn right onto Wallace Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wallace Street

Arrive at destination

Wallace Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak traffic congestion. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the drive is long enough to warrant a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 44-mile stretch on WI 26 to ensure you are comfortable before merging onto I-41. Because the majority of this route is highway-focused, take advantage of the predictable road conditions to maintain a consistent pace. If you want to arrive feeling sharp, aim to complete your single stop right around the halfway mark to break up the monotony of the interstate.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 65.2 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 1h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 65.2 miles or 1h 26m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Combined Locks, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving City of Janesville, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from City of Janesville, WI

This is one driving day of about 130.4 miles and 2h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from City of Janesville, WI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on WI 26 for about 44 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 65.2 mi from City of Janesville, WI · 1h 26m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

65 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.2 miles from City of Janesville, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Combined Locks, WI

The final approach into Combined Locks, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Combined Locks, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.81 one way

$39.61 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$21.83	$43.67
premium	$4.80	$24.62	$49.23
diesel	$5.64	$28.97	$57.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	39.1	$13.69	$6.26
Efficient EV	32.6	$11.41	$5.22
EV Truck/SUV	52.2	$18.26	$8.35

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

City of Janesville, WI

Afternoon in City of Janesville on Sunday

Local time

3:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Combined Locks, WI

Afternoon in Combined Locks on Sunday

Local time

3:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 53m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from City of Janesville, WI to Combined Locks, WI covers 130.4 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are WI 26, State Highway 26, I 41. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 65.2 miles from City of Janesville, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between City of Janesville, WI and Combined Locks, WI, road signs point toward Green_Bay and Appleton.

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Trip from City of Janesville, WI to Combined Locks, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Combined Locks, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

City of Janesville, WI

Combined Locks, WI

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 53m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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