Origin
City of Janesville, WI
Late night in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from City of Janesville, WI to Monona, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
48m
Distance
36.6 mi
59 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 44m
★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 56m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 50m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m
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
Monona, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Janesville to Monona, expect a straightforward 36.6-mile drive that typically takes about 48 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is efficient enough to complete in under an hour. Budgeting approximately $6 for fuel makes this a very economical transit between these two Midwestern locations. Because you will spend 76% of your time on highways, the journey is designed for speed rather than lingering. You won't need an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your travel schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense path for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary delays.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 27.6 mi | 29m |
| Milton Avenue | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| South Stoughton Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Pflaum Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Beltline Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Nichols Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Milwaukee Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 27.6 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville, WI and Monona, 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
28 mi
·
29 min
·
I 39; I 90
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 142A-B
Toward US 12, US 18: Madison, Cambridge
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
10
Merge onto US 12; US 18
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beltline Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 266
Toward US 51: Stoughton Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
237 ft
·
8 sec
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto US 51
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Stoughton Road
14
Turn slight left
426 ft
·
12 sec
15
Turn left onto Pflaum Road
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
16
Continue on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Nichols Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Nichols Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.3 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 34.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Harrison Street
Turn right onto Harrison Street
Navigation decision point
8
31.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward US 12, US 18: Madison, Cambridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142A-B
Toward US 12, US 18: Madison, Cambridge
9
32.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate:...
7
34 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward US 51: Stoughton Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 266
Toward US 51: Stoughton Road
7
34.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.72 one way
$11.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.28 | $12.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.04 | $14.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.08 | $16.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.84 | $1.76 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.20 | $1.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.12 | $2.34 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Monona, WI
Late night in Monona on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Cottage Grove, WI
18 mi in
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
48m 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?
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, offering a consistent and efficient experience behind the wheel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-39, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 27.6 miles. Transitioning from Milton Avenue to the interstate provides a clear path before you eventually navigate via South Stoughton Road to reach Monona. The route maintains a steady, highway-oriented personality throughout, minimizing the need for complex maneuvers or local traffic navigation. Expect a smooth, predictable flow that prioritizes direct movement across this 36.6-mile corridor.
76% 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: 27.6 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and Milton Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Harrison Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 36.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Harrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from City of Janesville, WI to Monona, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cambridge along the way.
Cambridge
31.8 mi in
|
~38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 48m. Total distance: 36.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.6 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Monona, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Harrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monona, WI before heading back.
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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