If you are planning a trip from Cudahy to Janesville, you are looking at a straightforward 73.6-mile trek across Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 36 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. Because the route is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. Budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this Midwest corridor is simple, relying primarily on I-43, US-14, and East Layton Avenue. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this highway-focused drive offers a direct path between the two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.8 miles from Cudahy, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
45.8 mi
49m
US 14
14.5 mi
19m
East Layton Avenue
4.4 mi
10m
Airport Freeway
4.2 mi
5m
East Racine Street
2.7 mi
5m
South Randall Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Ruger Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
South 27th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 45.8 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cudahy, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on this road
303 ft·27 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Kingan Avenue
166 ft·9 sec·South Kingan Avenue
3
Turn right onto CTH Y
4.4 mi·10 min·East Layton Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto WI 241
0.2 mi·17 sec·South 27th Street
5
Take the ramp
491 ft·11 sec
Toward I 41, I 43, I 894: Downtown Milwaukee, Beloit-MadisonUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward I 41, I 43 South, I 894 West: Madison, BeloitUse the straight / left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.2 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 43
46 mi·49 min·I 43
Exit 4Toward I 43 South, US 45 South, I 94 West Alternate: BeloitUse the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 15Toward US 14: Darien, JanesvilleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft·3 sec
11
Merge onto US 14
3.3 mi·4 min·US 14
12
Turn left onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi·15 min·US 14; WI 11
13
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi·2 min·East Racine Street
14
Enter roundabout onto WI 11
118 ft·6 sec·East Racine Street
15
Continue on WI 11
0.1 mi·12 sec·East Racine Street
16
Enter roundabout onto East Racine Street
96 ft·5 sec·East Racine Street
17
Continue on East Racine Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Racine Street
18
Turn right onto South Randall Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·South Randall Avenue
19
Turn left onto CTH MM
0.5 mi·1 min·Ruger Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto East Court Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Court Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1-day trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the drive without any scheduled stops, though you may choose to take a break if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $11, so topping off your tank before you leave will keep your travel stress to a minimum. Given the reliance on I-43, monitor traffic reports for the interstate portion before heading out to ensure a smooth transit. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct route through the heart of Wisconsin.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.8 miles from Cudahy, WI, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.8 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 16 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.8 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Janesville, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cudahy, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cudahy, WI
This is one driving day of about 73.6 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Cudahy, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 45.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 55 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|CTH Y / East Layton Avenue
Turn right onto CTH Y / East Layton Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
4.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward I 41, I 43, I 894: Downtown Milwaukee, Beloit-Madison
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 41, I 43, I 894: Downtown Milwaukee, B...
8
4.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, I 43 South, I 894 West: Madison, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 41, I 43 South, I 894 West: Madison, B...
9
9.2 mi into trip|~18m in|I 43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 43 toward I 43 South, US 45 South, I 94 West Alternate: Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 4
Toward I 43 South, US 45 South, I 94 West Alter...
8
55 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
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 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.51 one way
$23.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.63
$25.27
premium
$4.89
$14.16
$28.33
diesel
$5.61
$16.25
$32.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.1
0
$7.73
$3.53
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.44
$2.94
EV Truck/SUV
29.4
0
$10.30
$4.71
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cudahy, WI
Morning
in Cudahy on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Morning
in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of this trip takes place on major roads. Your journey includes a substantial 45.8-mile stretch on I-43, which serves as the backbone of your drive. The character of the road is consistent, favoring speed and efficiency over winding local paths. You will transition from the initial city-oriented streets like East Layton Avenue onto the faster-paced interstate system. This is a practical drive designed for getting from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.8 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CTH Y / East Layton Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (CTH Y / East Layton Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,016 ft712 ft
Total Climb
438 ft
Total Descent
305 ft
Highest Point
1,016 ft
~36.8 mi in
Elevation Range
304 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cudahy, WI and City of Janesville, WI, road signs point toward Beloit-Madison, Beloit and Janesville.
Beloit-Madison
4.6 mi in|~11m
Beloit
4.7 mi in|~11m
Janesville
55 mi in|~1h 7m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 73.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m 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 45.8 miles on I 43. 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 City of Janesville, 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: at 0.1 miles (CTH Y / East Layton Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 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 City of Janesville, WI before heading back.
