Origin
Bellevue, WI
Night in Bellevue on Saturday
Local time
11:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellevue, WI to City of Janesville, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
161.6 mi
260 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellevue, WI
Wikimedia Commons
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Bellevue, WI to Janesville, WI is 161.6 miles and takes about 3h 26m via I 41 and WI 26, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward trip between two points in Wisconsin. It's primarily a highway-focused experience, meaning you'll be covering ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal candidate for a same-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time left in the day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.8 miles from Bellevue, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 26 | 55.7 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 41 | 51.7 mi | 55m |
| WI 26 | 34.8 mi | 45m |
| WI 172 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| US 151 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| I 43 | 1.9 mi | 1m |
| West North Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 26
— 55.7 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on WI 29
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Kewaunee Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 141
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 141
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Elm View Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge onto I 43
1.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 43
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 180
Toward WI 172 West: Austin Straubel Airport
7
Continue on WI 172
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
WI 172
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 South: Appleton
9
Merge onto I 41; US 41
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 113
Toward WI 26, CTH N: Rosendale
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto WI 26; CTH N
11 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 26
12
Continue on WI 26
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
13
Continue on WI 26
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 26
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
15
Merge onto US 151; WI 26
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 151; WI 26
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 144
Toward WI 26: Waupun, Juneau
17
Keep slight left at fork
187 ft
·
4 sec
18
Turn left onto WI 26
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 26
19
Continue on WI 26
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
20
Continue on WI 26
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 26
21
Continue on WI 26
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
22
Turn right onto CTH W
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West North Street
23
Turn left onto Western Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Western Avenue
24
Turn right onto WI 26; CTH S
23 mi
·
27 min
·
State Highway 26
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on WI 26
35 mi
·
45 min
·
WI 26
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
27
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
28
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
29
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip covering 161.6 miles and taking just under 3.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will get you to Janesville with ample daylight. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 55.7-mile stretch on State Highway 26, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination without worry.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.8 miles from Bellevue, WI, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 46m
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 Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, WI
This is one driving day of about 161.6 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Bellevue, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 26 for about 55.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.8 miles from Bellevue, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 88.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 141 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 141 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward WI 172 West: Austin Straubel Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 180
Toward WI 172 West: Austin Straubel Airport
5
10.1 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
61.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward WI 26, CTH N: Rosendale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 113
Toward WI 26, CTH N: Rosendale
6
88.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward WI 26: Waupun, Juneau
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 144
Toward WI 26: Waupun, Juneau
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.26 one way
$50.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.74 | $55.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.10 | $62.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.68 | $71.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.97 | $7.76 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.14 | $6.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.62 | $10.34 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
Night in City of Janesville on Saturday
Local time
11:58 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
4 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
3h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with a 95% highway share, designed for getting you to your destination quickly. You'll spend most of your time on I 41 and State Highway 26. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 55.7 miles on State Highway 26, so be prepared for a sustained period of highway driving. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.7 mi on State Highway 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 26 and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 141 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 161.6 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 0.2 miles (US 141 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 10.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bellevue, WI and City of Janesville, WI, road signs point toward Cth N: Rosendale and Juneau.
Cth N: Rosendale
61.9 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Juneau
88.3 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 161.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.7 miles on State Highway 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at City of Janesville, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 141 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 10.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Janesville, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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