Origin
Big Flats, WI
Afternoon in Big Flats on Sunday
Local time
2:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Flats, 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
2h 26m
Distance
125.8 mi
202 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Flats, WI
Noland Live
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 125.8-mile drive from Big Flats, WI, to the City of Janesville, WI, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 26 minutes. With 97% of the drive on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. Considering the relatively short duration and distance, this route is ideal as a single-day trip, with a modest estimated fuel cost of $20. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region throughout your journey, making for a consistent travel experience. This trip prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.9 miles from Big Flats, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 101.3 mi | 1h 48m |
| State Highway 21 | 14.6 mi | 20m |
| State Highway 13 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Memorial Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| CTH C | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 101.3 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Flats, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on CTH C
19 ft
·
5 sec
·
CTH C
2
Turn left onto WI 13
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 13
3
Turn left onto WI 21
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 21
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward Portage
5
Merge onto I 39; US 51
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 39; US 51
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Given the 2-hour 26-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to plan for overnight stops, but be mindful of the 101.3-mile stretch on I 39 where services might be less frequent. It’s wise to fuel up before heading out or at a convenient point before this longer segment. With a $20 fuel cost, budgeting is simple. The highway-focused nature means you can maintain a consistent speed, but always keep an eye on road conditions, especially if traveling during peak hours or inclement weather.
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 62.9 miles from Big Flats, WI, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.3 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Big Flats, 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 Big Flats, WI
This is one driving day of about 125.8 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Big Flats, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 39 for about 101.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.9 miles from Big Flats, 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 101.3 miles.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 20.6 and 122.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
20.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward Portage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Portage
6
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
I 39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
89.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 39; I 90
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
7
122.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 26 South: Janesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.67 one way
$39.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.59 | $43.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.21 | $48.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.78 | $55.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.21 | $6.04 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.01 | $5.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.61 | $8.05 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
2:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Portage, WI
63 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
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
2h 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 17.3
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with a 97% highway share. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 101.3 miles on I 39, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. This drive is characterized by its highway-focused profile, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates and state highways. The main roads guiding you include I 39, State Highway 21, and State Highway 13, suggesting a mix of major thoroughfares designed for speed and efficiency. It's a route built for covering ground.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.3 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and State Highway 21. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 125.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 20.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.5 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
On the drive from Big Flats, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Portage along the way.
Portage
20.6 mi in
|
~28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 125.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.3 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.5 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Janesville, WI before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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