Origin
Monona, WI
Evening in Monona on Sunday
Local time
5:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monona, WI to City of Janesville, WI
Drive Time
47m
Distance
35.9 mi
58 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Monona to Janesville, you can expect a straightforward 35.9-mile journey that typically takes about 47 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical drive within the Midwest. You will primarily utilize I-39, South Stoughton Road, and Milton Avenue to navigate between these two Wisconsin cities. Because the drive is so efficient, it serves as a practical connection for commuters or those heading out for a brief afternoon outing.
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 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 78% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. The drive centers on a significant 28.1-mile stretch along I-39, which keeps the pace consistent and steady. As you transition off the interstate and onto Milton Avenue, the environment shifts from a fast-moving highway corridor into the local street infrastructure of Janesville. Since there are no required stops on this route, you can maintain a steady rhythm behind the wheel without frequent interruptions. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that favors speed and efficiency over winding, scenic backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 Milton Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 35.9 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 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m 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
4.3 mi into trip
|
~8m 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
32.7 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
32.9 mi into trip
|
~39m 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 Monona, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
3.4 mi in
|
~6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 28.1 mi | 30m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| South Stoughton Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Pflaum Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Beltline Highway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Nichols Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 28.1 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Nichols Road
2
Continue on Pflaum Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto US 51
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Stoughton Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Merge onto US 12; US 18
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Beltline Highway
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 267A
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville, Chicago
7
Merge onto I 39; I 90
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39:I 90: Chicago
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
10
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
11
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Milton Avenue
12
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
13
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
14
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
15
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 47-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 35.9-mile distance without needing to plan for rest breaks or mid-trip meals. Given the low $5 fuel cost, it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before you leave Monona so you can head straight to your destination without stopping. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when transitioning from I-39 onto Milton Avenue, as local road conditions can vary. Having this level of predictability makes the trip a stress-free experience for any driver.
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 miles from Monona, WI, or about 23m 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 35.9 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
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 Monona, 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 Monona, WI
This is one driving day of about 35.9 miles and 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monona, 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 18 mi from Monona, WI · 23m 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 35.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18 miles from Monona, 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
$5.45 one way
$10.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.01 | $12.02 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.78 | $13.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.98 | $15.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.6 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 | 10.8 | 0 | $3.77 | $1.72 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.14 | $1.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.03 | $2.30 |
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
City of Janesville, WI
Evening in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
5:42 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
7 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
47m 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 Monona, WI to City of Janesville, WI covers 35.9 miles and takes about 47m 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 miles from Monona, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.45 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 9 significant decision points across 35.9 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 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Monona, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
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