Janesville to Medford is 219 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I 39 and WI 29, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a duration under five hours, it's easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
109.5 miles from City of Janesville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
165 mi
2h 57m
WI 29
31 mi
36m
State Highway 13
11.8 mi
17m
US 51
3.2 mi
3m
Milton Avenue
3.1 mi
6m
Maple Road
1.3 mi
2m
South 8th Street
1.1 mi
2m
North 4th Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 165 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,820 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,307
Quietest
2 AM
~143 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
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 Medford, 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; 108BToward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, WausauUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 39
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 39
Exit 108BToward I 39 North: Portage, Wausau
9
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
3.2 mi·3 min·US 51; WI 29
10
Take the exit onto WI 29
31 mi·36 min·WI 29
Toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 134Toward WI 29 Business: Abbotsford
12
Turn right onto WI 29 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Maple Road
13
Turn right onto WI 13
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on WI 13
12 mi·17 min·State Highway 13
15
Continue on WI 13
1.1 mi·2 min·South 8th Street
16
Turn left onto South Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South Street
17
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·South 4th Street
18
Arrive at destination
South 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 12m duration, leaving Janesville in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You can complete this trip in one day, so flexibility is key – you can depart anytime that suits your schedule. The longest stretch without a significant break is 165 miles on I 39, so plan a fuel or rest stop before you get too far into that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main interstate onto State Highway 13, as services might become less frequent.
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 109.5 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 2h 2m 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.5 miles or 2h 2m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medford, 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 219 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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.
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 205.1 — 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...
7
172.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|WI 29
Take the exit onto WI 29 toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
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 WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
5
203.4 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 Business: Abbotsford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 134
Toward WI 29 Business: Abbotsford
6
205.1 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|WI 13 / North 4th Street
Turn right onto WI 13 / North 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.34 one way
$64.68 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.70
$71.41
premium
$4.72
$40.66
$81.32
diesel
$4.80
$41.35
$82.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.51
Efficient EV
54.8
0
$19.16
$8.76
EV Truck/SUV
87.6
1
$30.66
$14.02
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
City of Janesville, WI
Late night
in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
5:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Medford, WI
Late night
in Medford on Sunday
Local time
5:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM 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
7 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 12m 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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 105.7
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 highway driving, with 96% of the 219 miles on interstates and state highways. You'll have a long stretch of 165 miles on I 39, indicating minimal turns and steady cruising for an extended period. Expect to transition to surface roads, like State Highway 13, for the final few miles as you approach Medford.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 WI 29. 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 219 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 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.5 miles (WI 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,472 ft788 ft
Total Climb
866 ft
Total Descent
248 ft
Highest Point
1,472 ft
~219 mi in
Elevation Range
684 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 Medford, WI, road signs point toward Portage, Wausau and Chippewa Falls.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 219 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 Medford, 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 172.5 miles (WI 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Medford, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
