Origin
Madison, WI
Evening in Madison on Sunday
Local time
6:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madison, WI to City of Janesville, WI
Drive Time
55m
Distance
40.1 mi
65 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madison, WI
Quang Vuong
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Madison to Janesville, you are looking at a straightforward 40.1-mile drive that typically takes about 55 minutes. This Midwest route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you can easily head out and return without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $6 for fuel, making it a very economical trip. Since both cities are located within Wisconsin, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. Because the drive is so short, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or leisure.
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
20.1 miles from Madison, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of your travel takes place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of the West Beltline Highway, I-39, and Milton Avenue as you transition from the capital area into Janesville. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-39, where you will spend 28.1 miles cruising at highway speeds. While the route is efficient, it leans toward a functional commute rather than a leisurely backroads tour. Once you exit the interstate, the final leg along Milton Avenue will guide you directly into the heart of the city.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 28.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and West Beltline Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 40.1 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 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 East, US 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East, US 18 East
6
7.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 267A
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville, Chica...
6
8.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 39; I 90
Merge onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39:I 90: Chicago
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 39:I 90: Chicago
7
36.9 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 26: State Highway 26
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
6
37.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 26 South: Janesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Madison, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
7.7 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 28.1 mi | 30m |
| West Beltline Highway | 4 mi | 5m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| John Nolen Drive | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Proudfit Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Park Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Regent Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 28.1 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on CTH MS
317 ft
·
18 sec
·
University Avenue
2
Turn left onto North Brooks Street
432 ft
·
26 sec
·
North Brooks Street
3
Turn left onto West Johnson Street
430 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Johnson Street
4
Turn right onto North Park Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Park Street
5
Turn left onto Regent Street
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Regent Street
6
Continue on US 151
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Proudfit Street
7
Continue on US 151
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
North Shore Drive
8
Turn right onto John Nolen Drive
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
John Nolen Drive
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 12 East, US 18 East
10
Merge onto US 12; US 18
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Beltline Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 267A
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville, Chicago
12
Merge onto I 39; I 90
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39:I 90: Chicago
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
15
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
16
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Milton Avenue
17
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
18
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
19
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever fits your schedule best. With no mandatory stops required for a 55-minute drive, you can easily power through the entire 40.1 miles without needing a break. Keep in mind that traffic can fluctuate on the West Beltline Highway during peak commuting hours, so check your GPS before you depart to ensure a smooth transition onto I-39. Because you are only looking at a $6 fuel expense, there is no need to worry about strategic refueling stops along the way. Use the flexibility of this short distance to plan your arrival time around your specific goals in 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 20.1 miles from Madison, WI, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.1 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 40.1 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.1 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
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 Madison, 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 Madison, WI
This is one driving day of about 40.1 miles and 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Madison, 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 28.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.1 mi from Madison, WI · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.1 miles from Madison, 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
$6.09 one way
$12.18 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.71 | $13.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.57 | $15.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.91 | $17.82 |
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: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12 | 0 | $4.21 | $1.92 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.57 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
City of Janesville, WI
Evening in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
6:53 PM
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
6 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
55m 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 Madison, WI to City of Janesville, WI covers 40.1 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 39, West Beltline Highway, Milton Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.1 miles from Madison, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.09 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 14 significant decision points across 40.1 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 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Madison, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
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