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
Trip from City of Janesville, WI to Monona, WI
Drive Time
48m
Distance
36.6 mi
59 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 44m
★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 56m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 50m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Janesville to Monona, expect a straightforward 36.6-mile drive that typically takes about 48 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is efficient enough to complete in under an hour. Budgeting approximately $6 for fuel makes this a very economical transit between these two Midwestern locations. Because you will spend 76% of your time on highways, the journey is designed for speed rather than lingering. You won't need an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your travel schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense path for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
18.3 miles from City of Janesville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, offering a consistent and efficient experience behind the wheel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-39, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 27.6 miles. Transitioning from Milton Avenue to the interstate provides a clear path before you eventually navigate via South Stoughton Road to reach Monona. The route maintains a steady, highway-oriented personality throughout, minimizing the need for complex maneuvers or local traffic navigation. Expect a smooth, predictable flow that prioritizes direct movement across this 36.6-mile corridor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 39 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and Milton Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near I 39; I 90.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 36.6 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 4.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 39; I 90
Merge onto I 39; I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
31.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward US 12, US 18: Madison, Cambridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142A-B
Toward US 12, US 18: Madison, Cambridge
9
32.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate:...
7
34 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward US 51: Stoughton Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 266
Toward US 51: Stoughton Road
7
34.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from City of Janesville, WI to Monona, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cambridge along the way.
Cambridge
31.8 mi in
|
~38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 27.6 mi | 29m |
| Milton Avenue | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| South Stoughton Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Pflaum Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Beltline Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Nichols Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Milwaukee Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 27.6 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville, WI and Monona, WI.
1
Start on East Court Street
148 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Court Street
2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
513 ft
·
26 sec
·
Harrison Street
3
Turn left onto East Milwaukee Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Milwaukee Street
4
Turn sharp right onto Milton Avenue
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Milton Avenue
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90
28 mi
·
29 min
·
I 39; I 90
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 142A-B
Toward US 12, US 18: Madison, Cambridge
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
10
Merge onto US 12; US 18
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beltline Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 266
Toward US 51: Stoughton Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
237 ft
·
8 sec
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto US 51
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Stoughton Road
14
Turn slight left
426 ft
·
12 sec
15
Turn left onto Pflaum Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
16
Continue on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Nichols Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Nichols Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 48-minute trip, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility, whether you choose to depart early in the morning or later in the day. There are no mandatory stops required for a drive of this length, meaning you can easily complete the journey in one direct shot. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, though the estimated $6 cost should be easy to manage with a single tank. To ensure a stress-free experience, try to avoid peak commuting hours on the I-39 section to keep your travel time consistent. Given the lack of planned stops, make sure you have your hydration and snacks ready before you pull out of Janesville.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 18.3 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.6 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 36.6 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.3 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monona, 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 36.6 miles and 48m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 39 for about 27.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.3 mi from City of Janesville, WI · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.3 miles from City of Janesville, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Monona, WI
The final approach into Monona, 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 Monona, 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
$5.56 one way
$11.12 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.13 | $12.26 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.91 | $13.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.13 | $16.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.84 | $1.76 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.20 | $1.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.12 | $2.34 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Monona, WI
Afternoon in Monona on Sunday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
7 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
48m 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 Monona, WI covers 36.6 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 39, Milton Avenue, South Stoughton Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.3 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 $5.56 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 36.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from City of Janesville, WI to Monona, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cambridge along the way.
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