Embarking on the 260.9-mile journey from Janesville to Phillips is an undertaking that spans approximately 5 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on turn-heavy local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited as a dedicated day trip. You should budget roughly $40 for fuel to complete the trek through the heart of Wisconsin. While the drive is manageable in a single day, the winding nature of the path means you will want to stay alert. Expect a departure from the southern part of the state as you head toward the more northern reaches, keeping in mind that local navigation requires your full attention.
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
130.4 miles from City of Janesville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
165 mi
2h 57m
US 51
46.5 mi
53m
US 8
32.2 mi
45m
State Highway 13
10.8 mi
14m
Milton Avenue
3.1 mi
6m
South Lake Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
County Highway H
0.4 mi
1m
East Milwaukee Street
0.2 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 Phillips, 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
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
32 mi·45 min·US 8
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right
0.2 mi·41 sec
Use the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto WI 13
11 mi·14 min·State Highway 13
15
Continue on WI 13
0.9 mi·2 min·South Lake Avenue
16
Turn right onto CTH H
0.4 mi·1 min·County Highway H
17
Turn left onto Beach Road
0.1 mi·30 sec·Beach Road
18
Arrive at destination
Beach Road
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip requires a commitment to a full day of driving, so aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you should pace yourself carefully to avoid fatigue on the winding local roads. Keep in mind that the lack of highway segments means your travel time is highly dependent on local traffic and intersection navigation. Since you are budgeting $40 for fuel, ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Janesville to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar areas. Flexibility is your best asset here, so allow yourself extra time to handle the turns and road transitions safely.
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 130.4 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 2h 24m 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.4 miles or 2h 24m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phillips, 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 260.9 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 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
$40.79 one way
$81.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.78
$89.57
premium
$4.89
$50.21
$100.42
diesel
$5.61
$57.60
$115.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.3
0
$27.39
$12.52
Efficient EV
65.2
0
$22.83
$10.44
EV Truck/SUV
104.4
1
$36.53
$16.70
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
City of Janesville, WI
Night
in City of Janesville on Saturday
Local time
11:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 15 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 12:53PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 12:40PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Phillips, WI
Night
in Phillips on Saturday
Local time
11:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
18 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
5h 6m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 99
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via Harrison Street, East Milwaukee Street, and Milton Avenue, which sets the tone for a turn-heavy local drive. The personality of this road is defined by its technical nature, requiring you to stay engaged with the steering wheel throughout the entire 5-hour duration. Because there are no long, uninterrupted interstate stretches, the pace remains steady but deliberate. Your time behind the wheel will be characterized by frequent adjustments and local road maneuvers rather than high-speed highway travel.
98% 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 US 51. 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 260.9 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 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.
Between City of Janesville, WI and Phillips, WI, road signs point toward Portage, Wausau and Rhinelander.
Portage
65.5 mi in|~1h 15m|via I 39
Wausau
65.5 mi in|~1h 15m|via I 39
Rhinelander
215.8 mi in|~4h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 260.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m 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 Phillips, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Phillips, WI before the return drive.
