Trip from Howards Grove, WI to City of Janesville, WI

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

134.6 mi

217 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 32m ★

6 AM

2h 43m

8 AM

3h 4m

10 AM

2h 51m

12 PM

2h 48m

3 PM

2h 52m

5 PM

3h 3m

8 PM

2h 37m

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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Howards Grove, WI

Tom Fisk

City of Janesville, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Howards Grove, WI to City of Janesville, WI covers 134.6 miles and takes about 2h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 43, US 45, US 14 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.8 miles on I 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.44 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

67.3 miles from Howards Grove, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 43m highway drive covering 134.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 43 and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.8 miles on I 43.

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

There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 134.6 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 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

60 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 94 West: Madison

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 72D Toward I 94 West: Madison

65.6 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Take the exit toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago

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 305A-B Toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago

65.8 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 305A Toward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: Ch...

70.3 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | US 45

Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 4 Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit

116 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville

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 15 Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville

Towns Along This Route

Between Howards Grove, WI and City of Janesville, WI, road signs point toward Chicago and Janesville.

Chicago

65.6 mi in | ~1h 18m

Janesville

116 mi in | ~2h 14m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 43	55.8 mi	1h 3m
US 45	45.6 mi	49m
US 14	14.5 mi	19m
East-West Freeway	4.8 mi	6m
Zoo Freeway	3.5 mi	4m
State Highway 42	3.3 mi	4m
East Racine Street	2.7 mi	5m
South Randall Avenue	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 43 — 55.8 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Howards Grove, WI and City of Janesville, WI.

Start on CTH A

0.1 mi · 10 sec · College Avenue

Turn right onto WI 42

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Madison Avenue

Continue on WI 42

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 42

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

99 ft · 1 sec · State Highway 42

Continue on WI 42

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 42

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

111 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 42

Continue on WI 42

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 42

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

135 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 42

Continue on WI 42

0.2 mi · 20 sec · State Highway 42

Enter roundabout

25 ft · 0 sec

Continue

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Merge onto I 43

56 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 43

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 72D Toward I 94 West: Madison Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 94

4.8 mi · 6 min · East-West Freeway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 305A-B Toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 305A Toward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45

3.5 mi · 4 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 45

46 mi · 49 min · US 45

Exit 4 Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 15 Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

121 ft · 3 sec

Merge onto US 14

3.3 mi · 4 min · US 14

Turn left onto US 14; WI 11

11 mi · 15 min · US 14; WI 11

Turn left onto WI 11

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Racine Street

Enter roundabout onto WI 11

118 ft · 6 sec · East Racine Street

Continue on WI 11

0.1 mi · 12 sec · East Racine Street

Enter roundabout onto East Racine Street

96 ft · 5 sec · East Racine Street

Continue on East Racine Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Racine Street

Turn right onto South Randall Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Randall Avenue

Turn left onto CTH MM

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ruger Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto East Court Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · East Court Street

Arrive at destination

East Court Street

Trip Plan

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 67.3 miles from Howards Grove, WI, or about 1h 20m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.3 miles or 1h 20m 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 8m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Howards Grove, 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 Howards Grove, WI

This is one driving day of about 134.6 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Howards Grove, 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 I 43 for about 55.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.3 mi from Howards Grove, WI · 1h 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

67 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

Waukegan, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.3 miles from Howards Grove, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in City of Janesville, WI

The final approach into City of Janesville, 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 City of Janesville, 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

$20.44 one way

$40.89 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$22.54	$45.08
premium	$4.80	$25.41	$50.82
diesel	$5.64	$29.90	$59.81

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: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	40.4	$14.13	$6.46
Efficient EV	33.7	$11.78	$5.38
EV Truck/SUV	53.8	$18.84	$8.61

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Howards Grove, WI

Morning in Howards Grove on Monday

Local time

6:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Janesville, WI

Morning in City of Janesville on Monday

Local time

6:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°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

5 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

2h 43m 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 Howards Grove, WI to City of Janesville, WI covers 134.6 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 43, US 45, US 14. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 67.3 miles from Howards Grove, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.44 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 Howards Grove, WI and City of Janesville, WI, road signs point toward Chicago and Janesville.

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Explore More

Return Trip

City of Janesville, WI to Howards Grove, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

135.7 mi 2h 43m

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