Origin
City of Janesville, WI
Late night in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
3:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from City of Janesville, WI to Bradley, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
221.3 mi
356 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 55m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 1m
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
Bradley, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 221.3-mile journey from Janesville, WI, to Bradley, WI, is a straightforward drive that can easily be accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes. With 98% of the route on highways, it's a focused driving experience designed for efficiency. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, making it an economical option for a Midwest road trip. You'll primarily be navigating on I-39 and US-51, with a brief section on US-8. This route is best suited for those who prefer to cover ground quickly and appreciate a direct path between destinations within Wisconsin.
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
110.7 miles from City of Janesville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 165 mi | 2h 57m |
| US 51 | 46.5 mi | 53m |
| US 8 | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Milton Avenue | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| County Road Y | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Milwaukee Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 165 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville, WI and Bradley, 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 right at fork onto I 39
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 39
Exit 108A; 108B
Toward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, Wausau
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 39
104 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 39
Exit 108B
Toward I 39 North: Portage, Wausau
9
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
47 mi
·
53 min
·
US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
11
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft
·
12 sec
Toward US 8: Prentice
12
Merge onto US 8
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
US 8
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto CTH Y
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road Y
14
Arrive at destination
CTH Y
Trip Plan
Since this 4-hour and 8-minute drive is easily manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to leave Janesville at your leisure. Consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially on the 165-mile stretch of I-39. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically to ensure you stay refreshed. The $35 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to check your gauge regularly, particularly before embarking on longer segments of highway driving. Keep an eye out for signs directing you onto US-51 and US-8 as you progress towards Bradley.
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 110.7 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.7 miles or 2h 3m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bradley, 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 221.3 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 39 for about 165 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.7 miles from City of Janesville, 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 165 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 216.1 — 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.
9
65.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39 toward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, Wausau
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 108A; 108B
Toward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Porta...
5
169.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
US 51; WI 29
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
215.8 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Take the exit toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
5
216.1 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 8: Prentice
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 8: Prentice
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.60 one way
$69.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.99 | $75.97 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.59 | $85.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.86 | $97.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
| Efficient EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.98 | $14.16 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Destination
Bradley, WI
Late night in Bradley on Sunday
Local time
3:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Big Flats, WI
111 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
12 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 8m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 99.2
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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this 221.3-mile trip, with 98% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-39 and US-51. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 165 miles on I-39, allowing for a consistent pace. This type of profile means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roadways, minimizing slower local traffic. While not designed for scenic detours, this highway character ensures a predictable and efficient travel experience from start to finish.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and US 51. You will hit about 12 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 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 221.3 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: at 4.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.3 miles (US 51; WI 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Bradley, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Wausau.
Portage
65.5 mi in
|
~1h 15m
|
via I 39
Wausau
65.5 mi in
|
~1h 15m
|
via I 39
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 221.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m 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 165 miles on I 39. 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 Bradley, 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 4.2 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.3 miles (US 51; WI 29): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Bradley, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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