Origin
City of Janesville, WI
Late night in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from City of Janesville, WI to Belle Plaine, 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 38m
Distance
160.5 mi
258 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 26m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Belle Plaine, WI
Sam McCool
Trip Overview
This 160.5-mile drive from the City of Janesville, WI to Belle Plaine, WI is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the Midwest. Expect the trip to take about 3 hours and 38 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The primary roads you'll be on are WI 26 and US Highway 45, with 84% of the route utilizing highways. This route is ideal for a single-day adventure, allowing you to enjoy the open road without needing to break up the journey.
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
80.3 miles from City of Janesville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 26 | 44 mi | 54m |
| State Highway 26 | 33.3 mi | 46m |
| US Highway 45 | 23.8 mi | 33m |
| US 45 | 18.1 mi | 21m |
| Milton Avenue | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| I 41 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 22 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| US 151 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
WI 26
— 44 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville, WI and Belle Plaine, WI.
1
Start on East Court Street
148 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Court Street
2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
513 ft
·
26 sec
·
Harrison Street
3
Turn left onto East Milwaukee Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Milwaukee Street
4
Turn sharp right onto Milton Avenue
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Milton Avenue
5
Continue on WI 26
21 mi
·
26 min
·
WI 26
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on WI 26
23 mi
·
27 min
·
WI 26
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto Western Avenue
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Western Avenue
8
At end of road, turn right onto CTH W
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West North Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto WI 26
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
10
Continue on WI 26
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 26
11
Continue on WI 26
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
12
Continue on WI 26
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 26
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
14
Merge onto US 151
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US 151
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward WI 26 North: Rosendale
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
17
Turn left onto State Highway 26
10 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 26
18
Continue on WI 26
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
19
Continue on WI 26
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 26
20
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I-41_North: Appleton, Green_Bay
21
Merge onto I 41; US 41
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
I 41; US 41
Toward Appleton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New London
Use the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto US 45
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 45
Exit 273
Toward US 45 North: New London
Use the straight lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto US 45
125 ft
·
7 sec
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 North: New London
27
Continue on US 45
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 North: New London
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto CTH D
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West 12th Street
30
At end of road, turn right onto CTH D
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road D
31
Turn right onto W Green Tree Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
W Green Tree Road
32
Turn left onto WI 22
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 22
33
Continue on WI 22
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
34
Turn left onto WI 22
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
35
Continue on WI 22
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 22
36
Turn right onto Belle Plaine Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Belle Plaine Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
Belle Plaine Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under four hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, though an early start can help you maximize daylight. Plan for just one stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 44 miles on WI 26, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you embark on that section. With a fuel cost estimate of $25, it's a budget-friendly drive, but always good to have a little extra on hand for unexpected needs.
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 80.3 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44 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 35 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belle Plaine, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving City of Janesville, 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 City of Janesville, WI
This is one driving day of about 160.5 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from City of Janesville, 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 WI 26 for about 44 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from City of Janesville, 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 58.8 and 123.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
58.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
CTH W / West North Street
At end of road, turn right onto CTH W / West North Street
Navigation decision point
6
100.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41 toward Appleton
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Appleton
7
107.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
107.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 45 North: New London
8
123.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 273
Toward US 45 North: New London
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.09 one way
$50.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.55 | $55.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.89 | $61.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.44 | $70.87 |
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: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.85 | $7.70 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.04 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.47 | $10.27 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Belle Plaine, WI
Late night in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 38m 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?
Get ready for a predominantly highway experience, with 84% of this drive taking place on faster roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 44 miles on WI 26, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these main arteries, WI 26 and US Highway 45. While not a complex route, its highway-focused nature means you'll likely experience consistent speeds for significant portions of the journey.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44 mi on WI 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 26 and State Highway 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.8 miles in near CTH W / West North Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 160.5 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 58.8 miles (CTH W / West North Street): Navigation decision point; at 100.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between City of Janesville, WI and Belle Plaine, WI, road signs point toward Green_Bay and Appleton.
Green_Bay
100 mi in
|
~2h 16m
Appleton
100.3 mi in
|
~2h 16m
|
via I 41; US 41
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 160.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44 miles on WI 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 Belle Plaine, 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 58.8 miles (CTH W / West North Street): Navigation decision point; at 100.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Belle Plaine, 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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Return Trip
Belle Plaine, WI to City of Janesville, WIPlan the drive back the other way.
160.1 mi
3h 38m
Continue From Belle Plaine, WI
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