Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
253.2 mi
408 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Saint Germain, WI to City of Janesville, WI covers 253.2 miles and takes about 4h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 39, US 51, County Road D for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 165.7 miles on I 39. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.46 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.6 miles from Saint Germain, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
This is a 4h 57m highway drive covering 253.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 39 and US 51. The longest continuous stretch is about 165.7 miles on I 39.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and US 51. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 84.1 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 253.2 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 84.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.6 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 26: State Highway 26
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 26 South: Janesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
On the drive from Saint Germain, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 165.7 mi | 2h 57m |
| US 51 | 64.4 mi | 1h 18m |
| County Road D | 7.6 mi | 12m |
| County Road J | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| County Highway E | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| County Highway D | 3 mi | 5m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Bradley Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Germain, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
Start on WI 70
Turn right onto Parkway Road
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J
Turn left onto CTH E
Continue on CTH D
Turn left onto WI 47; CTH D
Turn right onto CTH D
At end of road, turn left onto US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
Continue on I 39; US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto WI 26
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
Turn right onto East Court Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.6 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Janesville, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint Germain, 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 Saint Germain, WI
This is one driving day of about 253.2 miles and 4h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.6 mi from Saint Germain, WI · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 126.6 miles from Saint Germain, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.7 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$38.46 one way
$76.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.40 | $84.79 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.80 | $95.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.25 | $112.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76 | 0 | $26.59 | $12.15 |
| Efficient EV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.15 | $10.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.3 | 1 | $35.45 | $16.20 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Evening in Saint Germain on Saturday
Local time
5:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in City of Janesville on Saturday
Local time
5:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Rockford, IL
127 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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Return Trip
City of Janesville, WI to Saint Germain, WIPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Saint Germain, WI or browse trips ending in City of Janesville, WI.
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