Drive Time
29m
Distance
19.5 mi
31 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Photo: Ollie Craig
The drive from Portage, WI to Leeds, WI covers 19.5 miles and takes about 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16, US HIghway 51, West Wisconsin Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.1 miles on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.96 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
9.8 miles from Portage, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
This is a 29m highway drive covering 19.5 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 and US HIghway 51. The longest continuous stretch is about 14.1 miles on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 and US HIghway 51. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in near US 51 / US Highway 51.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Portage, WI to Leeds, WI is easy. At 29m with 91% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles (US 51 / US Highway 51): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.5 miles (CTH K / County Highway K): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto US 51 / US Highway 51
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto CTH K / County Highway K
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 14.1 mi | 20m |
| US HIghway 51 | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| West Wisconsin Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US Highway 51 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Cook Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| County Highway K | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Portage, WI and Leeds, WI.
Start on WI 33
Turn right onto US 51; WI 16
Continue on US 51; WI 16
Continue on US 51; WI 60
Enter roundabout onto US 51
Continue on US 51
Turn left onto CTH K
Arrive at destination
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.
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 19.5 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.8 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leeds, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Portage, 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 Portage, WI
This is one driving day of about 19.5 miles and 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.8 mi from Portage, WI · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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.
A short stop after about 19.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 9.8 miles from Portage, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Leeds, 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 Leeds, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.96 one way
$5.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.27 | $6.53 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.68 | $7.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.33 | $8.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.05 | $0.94 |
| Efficient EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.71 | $0.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.73 | $1.25 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Portage on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Leeds on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Rockford, IL
10 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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