If you are planning a trip from Burlington to Fitchburg, you are looking at a straightforward 83.4-mile trek across Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 54 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of just $13, it is an affordable way to navigate between these two Midwest locations. Because the duration is under two hours, you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. This route is designed for efficiency, utilizing a mix of I-43, I-39, and US-14 to get you to your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Burlington, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
18.1 mi
19m
US 14
16.6 mi
22m
I 43
13.4 mi
14m
US 51
8.8 mi
16m
State Highway 11
8.6 mi
12m
State Highway 138
5.9 mi
8m
County Highway M
4.8 mi
6m
East Racine Street
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 18.1 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, WI and Fitchburg, WI.
1
Start on East Jefferson Street
256 ft·18 sec·East Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto North Pine Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pine Street
3
Continue on West Chestnut Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Chestnut Street
4
Continue on CTH JS
1.3 mi·2 min·CTH JS
5
Turn right onto WI 11
0.5 mi·43 sec·Burlington Bypass
6
Continue on WI 11
8.6 mi·12 min·State Highway 11
7
Turn left
0.2 mi·29 sec
8
Merge onto I 43
13 mi·14 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 15Toward US 14: Darien, JanesvilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft·3 sec
11
Merge onto US 14
3.3 mi·4 min·US 14
12
Turn left onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi·15 min·US 14; WI 11
13
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi·2 min·East Racine Street
14
Enter roundabout
10 ft·0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
15
Continue
0.3 mi·17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
16
Merge onto I 39; I 90
18 mi·19 min·I 39; I 90
17
Take the exit onto US 51
8.8 mi·16 min·US 51
Exit 156Toward US 51 North: StoughtonUse the slight right lane.
18
Enter roundabout onto US 51; WI 138
111 ft·3 sec·US Highway 51
19
Continue on US 51; WI 138
0.2 mi·22 sec·US Highway 51
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 138
198 ft·4 sec·State Highway 138
21
Continue on WI 138
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 138
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 138
149 ft·2 sec·State Highway 138
23
Continue on WI 138
5.7 mi·8 min·State Highway 138
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
25
Continue on US 14
2.1 mi·2 min·US 14
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward CTH MM: Oregon
27
Keep slight left at fork
343 ft·8 sec
Toward CTH MM: Oregon
28
Enter roundabout onto CTH MM
259 ft·15 sec·County Road MM
29
Continue on CTH MM
355 ft·20 sec·County Road MM
30
Enter roundabout onto CTH MM
114 ft·2 sec·County Road MM
31
Continue on CTH MM
0.1 mi·18 sec·County Road MM
32
Turn slight right onto CTH MM
41 ft·0 sec·CTH MM
33
Turn slight right onto CTH M
4.8 mi·6 min·County Highway M
34
Turn right onto Wendt Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Wendt Road
35
Arrive at destination
Wendt Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You can easily complete the drive in a single push without needing to plan for formal rest stops or meal breaks. I recommend checking traffic patterns on I-39 before you depart, as this is your longest stretch and any congestion here will have the biggest impact on your arrival time. Keep your fuel budget of $13 in mind, and consider topping off your tank in Burlington before you head out to avoid mid-route refueling. Taking advantage of the morning or mid-day hours will generally offer the smoothest experience on these primary Wisconsin roads.
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 41.7 miles from Burlington, WI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.1 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 55m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fitchburg, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burlington, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Burlington, WI
This is one driving day of about 83.4 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Burlington, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 39 for about 18.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.5 and 78 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12.5 mi into trip|~19m in|I 43
Merge onto I 43
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
25.9 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
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 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
6
42.1 mi into trip|~56m in
Enter roundabout toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
7
60.5 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51 North: Stoughton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 156
Toward US 51 North: Stoughton
6
78 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH MM: Oregon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CTH MM: Oregon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.04 one way
$26.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.32
$28.63
premium
$4.89
$16.05
$32.10
diesel
$5.61
$18.41
$36.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25
0
$8.76
$4.00
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.30
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Burlington, WI
Morning
in Burlington on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fitchburg, WI
Morning
in Fitchburg on Sunday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
18 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
1h 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will experience a consistent rhythm as you transition between the interstate system and US-14, which keeps the travel pace steady. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 18.1 miles on I-39, allowing for long periods of steady cruising. Despite the lack of scheduled stops, the route’s reliance on major roads makes for a predictable and reliable driving experience. You can expect a utilitarian feel that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, technical backroads.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.1 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and US 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.5 miles in near I 43.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.4 miles you will encounter 19 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 12.5 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. 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.
Between Burlington, WI and Fitchburg, WI, road signs point toward Janesville and Cth Mm: Oregon.
Janesville
25.9 mi in|~33m
Cth Mm: Oregon
77.8 mi in|~1h 44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 83.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.1 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Fitchburg, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.5 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fitchburg, WI before heading back.
