Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from City of Janesville, WI to Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
140.2 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
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
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Janesville to Wisconsin Rapids is 140.2 miles and takes about 2h 47m via I 39 and State Highway 73, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, making it a straightforward regional drive. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion. Expect a mostly highway experience that should be efficient for getting you to your destination without too much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.1 miles from City of Janesville, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 113.5 mi | 2h 1m |
| State Highway 73 | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| Adams Avenue | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| 8th Street South | 5.4 mi | 10m |
| Milton Avenue | 3.1 mi | 6m |
| East Milwaukee Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Mill Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 113.5 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, 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
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 39
Exit 108B
Toward I 39 North: Portage, Wausau
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward WI 73: Plainfield, Wisconsin Rapids
10
Keep slight left at fork
144 ft
·
3 sec
11
Turn left onto WI 73
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 73
12
Continue on Adams Avenue
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Adams Avenue
13
Continue on State Highway 73
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 73
14
Continue on Mill Avenue
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mill Avenue
15
Turn right onto WI 13
5.4 mi
·
10 min
·
8th Street South
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left
58 ft
·
6 sec
17
Turn right
16 ft
·
1 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 1-day trip covering 140.2 miles and taking under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Wisconsin Rapids with plenty of daylight left. The route has only one recommended stop, and with the longest stretch being 113.5 miles on I 39, you'll want to make sure you're fueled up before that segment, as services might be more spaced out. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.1 miles from City of Janesville, WI, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.5 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 31 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.1 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wisconsin Rapids, 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 140.2 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 113.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.1 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 113.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Poynette Rest Area 12
0 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Janesville Rest Area 17
0.1 mi from route
Westfield Rest Area 82
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pleasant Springs Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Coloma Rest Area 81
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 140.2 — 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.
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
117.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward WI 73: Plainfield, Wisconsin Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 73: Plainfield, Wisconsin Rapids
5
117.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
140.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.92 one way
$43.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.07 | $48.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.98 | $53.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.95 | $61.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.72 | $6.73 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.27 | $5.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.63 | $8.97 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Origin
City of Janesville, WI
Morning in City of Janesville on Tuesday
Local time
7:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Morning in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
7:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
1 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
2h 47m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 101.5
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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on I 39, which accounts for 88% of the total mileage. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 113.5 miles on I 39. After this substantial highway segment, you'll transition to State Highway 73 and Adams Avenue for the final portion of the drive. This means you'll experience a shift from high-speed interstate cruising to more local road conditions as you approach Wisconsin Rapids.
88% 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: 113.5 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and State Highway 73. 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
5/10
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 140.2 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 117.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between City of Janesville, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, 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
About the Cities
Arriving in Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Full guide →Wisconsin Rapids is a town of 19,000 people (2020) in North Central Wisconsin that is known for its papermaking history, and its cranberry industry.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 140.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.5 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 117.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wisconsin Rapids, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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