Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Chetek, WI to City of Janesville, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
248.7 mi
400 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chetek, WI
Wikimedia Commons
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Chetek, WI to the City of Janesville, WI is 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 94 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving you south through the Midwest. With 98% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss, allowing you to reach your destination with ample time to spare. Plan for this to be a single-day commitment.
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
124.3 miles from Chetek, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 167.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| US 53 | 42.6 mi | 47m |
| I 39 | 33.1 mi | 35m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| County Highway I | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| County Highway SS | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 167.8 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,592 veh/hr typical · worst 2,413
Quietest
2 AM
~201 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chetek, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on this road
91 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto CTH SS
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Highway SS
3
Turn straight onto CTH I
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
2nd Street South
4
Continue on CTH I
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
County Highway I
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
6
Merge onto US 53
42 mi
·
46 min
·
US 53
7
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
8
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 53
9
Continue on US 53
441 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 53
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
11
Merge onto I 94
168 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
15
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
16
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Milton Avenue
17
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
18
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
19
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of under 5 hours, leaving in the morning provides flexibility. You can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stop. The longest stretch without exits is 167.8 miles on I 94, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. While the fuel cost is estimated at $39, it's always wise to factor in a small buffer. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refresh before continuing to Janesville.
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 124.3 miles from Chetek, WI, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.8 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
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 Chetek, 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 Chetek, WI
This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Chetek, 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 I 94 for about 167.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.3 miles from Chetek, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 167.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Millston Rest Area 53
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area #17 Janesville
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Poynette Rest Area 12
0.1 mi from route
Janesville Rest Area 17
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Chetek Rest Area 34
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Black River Falls Rest Area 54
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pleasant Springs Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 245.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CTH SS / County Highway SS
Turn left onto CTH SS / County Highway SS
Navigation decision point
5
43.6 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 53
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
212.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m 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
245.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m 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
245.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m 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
$41.49 one way
$82.97 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $45.09 | $90.18 |
| premium | $5.26 | $51.49 | $102.99 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $60.50 | $121.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.11 | $11.94 |
| Efficient EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.76 | $9.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.5 | 1 | $34.82 | $15.92 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Chetek, WI
Morning in Chetek on Saturday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Widespread Frost
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:42PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:56PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Morning in City of Janesville on Saturday
Local time
7:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Clear then Widespread Frost
N 0 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:42PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:56PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 154.4
Caution: Use Caution — Milwaukee River Segment
Caution: Use Caution — Devil's Lake Segment
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 98% of the 248.7 miles on major interstates like I 94 and I 39. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway on I 94, covering 167.8 miles. Expect a mostly consistent driving experience, with the transition to surface roads likely occurring near your destination in Janesville. The high highway percentage means you'll see frequent exits rather than a rural feel for most of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 53. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CTH SS / County Highway SS.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 248.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (CTH SS / County Highway SS): Navigation decision point; at 43.6 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 212.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,071 ft
807 ft
Total Climb
596 ft
Total Descent
795 ft
Highest Point
1,071 ft
~195.4 mi in
Elevation Range
264 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Chetek, WI
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 248.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167.8 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CTH SS / County Highway SS): Navigation decision point; at 43.6 miles (US 53): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 212.1 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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