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Trip from Janesville, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

75.3 mi

121 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Rock County, Wisconsin, United States

Janesville, WI

Wikimedia Commons

village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

Menomonee Falls, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 82.4-mile drive from Janesville to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, this route sticks to local roads like Saint Lawrence Avenue, South Wisconsin Street, and East Milwaukee Street, with no highway driving. The Midwest regions of Wisconsin offer a familiar landscape for this straightforward journey. Consider this a convenient option if you're looking for a direct and manageable trip without the need for overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.7 miles from Janesville, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 28 mi 29m
WI 26 19.9 mi 24m
Milton Avenue 14.2 mi 20m
West Main Street 4.6 mi 9m
Redford Boulevard 4.5 mi 7m
Waukesha Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
Main Street 1.2 mi 2m
Town Line Road 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 28 mi, about 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Janesville, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.

1

Start on this road

124 ft · 14 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn left onto Saint Lawrence Avenue

127 ft · 10 sec · Saint Lawrence Avenue
3

Turn left onto South Wisconsin Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · South Wisconsin Street
4

Turn right onto East Milwaukee Street

353 ft · 10 sec · East Milwaukee Street
5

Continue on Milton Avenue

14 mi · 20 min · Milton Avenue
6

Continue on WI 26

20 mi · 24 min · WI 26
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 94

28 mi · 29 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 295 Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

188 ft · 6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
11

Turn left onto CTH F

4.5 mi · 7 min · Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Continue on CTH F

1.5 mi · 2 min · Waukesha Avenue
13

Turn straight

374 ft · 12 sec
14

Turn straight onto CTH F

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
15

At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Town Line Road
16

Enter roundabout onto CTH F

74 ft · 4 sec · West Main Street
17

Continue on CTH F

4.6 mi · 9 min · West Main Street
18

Turn left onto WI 175

21 ft · 0 sec · Appleton Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

WI 175

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 24 minutes and the 82.4-mile distance, this route offers significant flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, perhaps mid-morning to avoid early rush hour, with minimal need for extensive stops. The estimated fuel cost of $13 is quite economical, so plan to fill up before you leave Janesville to ensure a smooth journey. Since this is a local drive with a 0% highway share, pay close attention to posted speed limits and traffic signals, especially as you navigate through the various communities along Saint Lawrence Avenue, South Wisconsin Street, and East Milwaukee Street.

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 37.7 miles from Janesville, WI, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28 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 17 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.7 miles or 50m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Menomonee Falls, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Janesville, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Janesville, WI

This is one driving day of about 75.3 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Janesville, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 28 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Farmington, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farmington, WI

38 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

Fort Atkinson, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farmington, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.7 miles from 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.4

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.4

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Birch & Banyan Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 53.8

Hartland, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+12625631034

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 63 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Saint Lawrence Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Saint Lawrence Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Wisconsin Street

Turn left onto South Wisconsin Street

Navigation decision point

6
34.4 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
62.7 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex

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. Exit 295 Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
7
63 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.77 one way

$23.54 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.93 $25.85
premium $4.89 $14.49 $28.98
diesel $5.61 $16.63 $33.25

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: 26.3 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 22.6 0 $7.91 $3.61
Efficient EV 18.8 0 $6.59 $3.01
EV Truck/SUV 30.1 0 $10.54 $4.82

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

Janesville, WI

Morning in Janesville on Sunday

Local time

9:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Menomonee Falls, WI

Morning in Menomonee Falls on Sunday

Local time

9:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Farmington, WI

38 mi in

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

14 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 40m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 82.4-mile trip, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and local streets for the full 1 hour and 24 minutes, rather than cruising on faster, uninterrupted highways. While there isn't a 'longest stretch' of continuous driving on major highways, be prepared for frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you transition through various local road segments. The road's personality is defined by its constant engagement with the local environment, requiring your attention at each turn.

64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and WI 26. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Saint Lawrence Avenue.

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 75.3 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Saint Lawrence Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; near the start (South Wisconsin Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Janesville, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.

Cth F: Waukesha

62.7 mi in | ~1h 17m

Sussex

62.7 mi in | ~1h 17m

Cth F North: Waukesha

63 mi in | ~1h 17m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 75.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 28 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 (Saint Lawrence Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; near the start (South Wisconsin Street): Navigation decision point; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Menomonee Falls, 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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