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Trip from Janesville, WI to Franklin, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 27m

Distance

64.8 mi

104 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 21m ★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m

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

city in and county seat of Rock County, Wisconsin, United States

Janesville, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Franklin, WI, WI

Franklin, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Janesville to Franklin is 64.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 27 minutes via I-43, US-14, and State Highway 36, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, making it a convenient local journey. The route is primarily highway-focused, suggesting a straightforward drive with minimal detours. With only one recommended day, this is a manageable trip for anyone looking for a short, direct drive. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without a significant time commitment.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 27m. Total distance: 64.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with about 73% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience stretches primarily on I-43, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 22.7 miles. The route begins with US-14 and State Highway 36, offering a mix of road types before transitioning to the more consistent pace of the interstate. Expect a drive characterized by efficient travel, with the bulk of your time spent on well-maintained highways.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 22.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 14. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Saint Lawrence Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 27m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Saint Lawrence Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Saint Lawrence Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Saint Lawrence Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

3
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Main Street

Turn left onto South Main Street

Navigation decision point

8
41.7 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward WI 20: East Troy, Waterford

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 38 Toward WI 20: East Troy, Waterford
4
42 mi into trip | ~53m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
64.8 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Janesville, WI to Franklin, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Waterford along the way.

Waterford

41.7 mi in | ~53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 43 22.7 mi 24m
US 14 14.2 mi 19m
State Highway 36 6.5 mi 8m
Loomis Road 6 mi 8m
State Highway 20 4.1 mi 5m
High Drive 3.9 mi 5m
East Delavan Drive 2 mi 2m
West Main Street 1.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 43 — 22.7 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Janesville, WI and Franklin, WI.

1

Start on this road

124 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right onto Saint Lawrence Avenue

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Saint Lawrence Avenue
3

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
4

Continue on Beloit Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Beloit Avenue
5

Turn left onto CTH O

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Delavan Drive
6

Continue on CTH O

1.1 mi · 1 min · East County Road O
7

Turn right onto US 14; WI 11

11 mi · 14 min · US 14; WI 11
8

Continue on US 14

3.5 mi · 4 min · US 14
9

Turn left

0.4 mi · 47 sec
10

Merge onto I 43

23 mi · 24 min · I 43
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 38 Toward WI 20: East Troy, Waterford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

152 ft · 5 sec
13

Turn right onto WI 20

0.6 mi · 55 sec · North Street
14

Continue on WI 20

4.1 mi · 5 min · State Highway 20
15

Continue on WI 20

3.9 mi · 5 min · High Drive
16

Continue on WI 20; WI 83

1.7 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
17

Turn left onto WI 36

6.5 mi · 8 min · State Highway 36
18

Continue on WI 36

6.0 mi · 8 min · Loomis Road
19

Turn right

80 ft · 9 sec
20

Turn left

141 ft · 10 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.4 mi from Janesville, WI · 43m into the drive

Downtown Spring Prairie, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Spring Prairie, WI

32 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

Fairfield, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Elkhorn, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.4 miles from Janesville, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Franklin, WI

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

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.13 one way

$20.26 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $11.12 $22.25
premium $4.89 $12.47 $24.94
diesel $5.61 $14.31 $28.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.4 0 $6.80 $3.11
Efficient EV 16.2 0 $5.67 $2.59
EV Truck/SUV 25.9 0 $9.07 $4.15

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Janesville, WI

Late night in Janesville on Saturday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, WI

Late night in Franklin on Saturday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

2 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

1h 27m 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 Janesville, WI to Franklin, WI covers 64.8 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 43, US 14, State Highway 36. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 32.4 miles from Janesville, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.13 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 straightforward 1h 27m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Saint Lawrence Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Janesville, WI to Franklin, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Waterford along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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