This 247.1-mile drive from Janesville, WI to Boyceville, WI is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day trip. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 38 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated around $39. You'll primarily be on I-94, I-90, and I-39, making it a familiar and efficient route through the Midwest. Given the manageable distance and duration, it’s a feasible day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The route offers a consistent driving experience without significant changes in scenery or road type.
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
123.5 miles from City of Janesville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
104.9 mi
1h 52m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
I 39
61.3 mi
1h 5m
370th Street
9.2 mi
16m
Milton Avenue
3.1 mi
6m
US 12
2.6 mi
3m
North Broadway Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Railroad Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,585 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,364
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 City of Janesville, WI and Boyceville, 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
3.1 mi·6 min·Milton Avenue
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 41Toward WI 25: Menomonie, Barron
10
Keep slight left at fork
112 ft·4 sec
11
Turn left onto WI 25; CTH J
0.4 mi·50 sec·North Broadway Street
12
Turn right onto Oak Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Oak Avenue
13
Turn right onto US 12
2.6 mi·3 min·US 12
14
Turn right onto WI 79
9.2 mi·16 min·370th Street
15
At end of road, turn left onto WI 79; WI 170
0.3 mi·41 sec·Railroad Avenue
16
Turn left onto CTH K
31 ft·0 sec·Center Street
17
Arrive at destination
CTH K
Trip Plan
For this 4-and-a-half-hour trip, consider an early morning departure from Janesville to maximize your daylight and arrive in Boyceville with plenty of time. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of nearly 105 miles on I-94, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. The $39 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, but always keep an eye on your tank, especially during longer stretches. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the advantage of not needing to split your travel time, but being prepared with snacks and drinks will make the journey more comfortable.
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 123.5 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 Boyceville, 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 247.1 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 I 94 for about 104.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 234.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~9m in|I 39; I 90
Merge onto I 39; I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
129 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
233.9 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward WI 25: Menomonie, Barron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 41
Toward WI 25: Menomonie, Barron
5
234.2 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.49 one way
$72.98 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.29
$80.57
premium
$4.72
$45.88
$91.76
diesel
$4.80
$46.66
$93.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.1
0
$25.95
$11.86
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
EV Truck/SUV
98.8
1
$34.59
$15.81
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
City of Janesville, WI
Late night
in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
NW 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Boyceville, WI
Late night
in Boyceville on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
85°F
Merrimac, WI
124 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 38m 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 93.7
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You'll encounter one long stretch of 104.9 miles on I-94, meaning significant periods of uninterrupted driving. The character remains largely consistent throughout, emphasizing efficient travel over varied road experiences. Expect smooth sailing on well-maintained interstates, allowing you to cover ground quickly and with minimal detours.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near I 39; I 90.
Driving Effort6/10
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 247.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,063 ft782 ft
Total Climb
821 ft
Total Descent
727 ft
Highest Point
1,063 ft
~141.2 mi in
Elevation Range
281 ft
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 Boyceville, WI, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Barron.
Saint Paul
129 mi in|~2h 23m|via I 94
Barron
233.9 mi in|~4h 15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 247.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.9 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 Boyceville, 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: at 4.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129 miles (I 94): 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 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Boyceville, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
