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Trip from Janesville, WI to Oak Creek, 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 41m

Distance

78.5 mi

126 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good 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 34m ★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m

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

Downtown Oak Creek, WI, WI

Oak Creek, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 81-mile drive from Janesville, WI to Oak Creek, WI is a straightforward, one-day trip that should take about 1 hour and 24 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with a 0% highway share, meaning this is a true turn-heavy local drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a quick regional hop within the Midwest. The route is best suited for a single day of travel, offering a simple journey without the need for an overnight stop. Consider this an easy, accessible drive for a local excursion.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

39.3 miles from Janesville, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 43 49.9 mi 55m
US 14 14.2 mi 19m
North-South Freeway 3.2 mi 4m
East Puetz Road 2.5 mi 5m
East Delavan Drive 2 mi 2m
I 41 1.3 mi 1m
West Drexel Avenue 1.3 mi 3m
East County Road O 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 43 — 49.9 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Janesville, WI and Oak Creek, WI.

1

Start on this road

124 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right onto Saint Lawrence Avenue

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Saint Lawrence Avenue
3

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
4

Continue on Beloit Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Beloit Avenue
5

Turn left onto CTH O

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Delavan Drive
6

Continue on CTH O

1.1 mi · 1 min · East County Road O
7

Turn right onto US 14; WI 11

11 mi · 14 min · US 14; WI 11
8

Continue on US 14

3.5 mi · 4 min · US 14
9

Turn left

0.4 mi · 47 sec
10

Merge onto I 43

50 mi · 55 min · I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 41; US 41
Exit 10B Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41

3.2 mi · 4 min · North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 321 Toward Drexel Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Drexel Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Turn right onto WI 38

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Howell Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
16

Turn left onto East Puetz Road

2.5 mi · 5 min · East Puetz Road
17

Arrive at destination

East Puetz Road

Trip Plan

Since this 1 hour and 24-minute drive is only 81 miles and has no highway component, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Janesville, WI any time of day should work well, but consider an early start to maximize your time in Oak Creek, WI. With a low fuel cost of around $12 and no long highway stretches, you won't need to worry about extensive refueling stops. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests keeping an eye on your GPS and local signage, especially as you navigate Saint Lawrence Avenue, South Main Street, and Beloit Avenue. There are no specific long stretches to plan for, so pace yourself and enjoy the local scenery as you go.

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 39.3 miles from Janesville, WI, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.9 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 39.3 miles or 51m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Creek, 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 78.5 miles and 1h 41m.

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 43 for about 49.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Big Bend, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Bend, WI

39 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

Fairfield, WI

Fuel and coffee

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

Big Bend, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.3 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 Coffee Stop

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.3

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.3

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Elkhorn Rest Area 35 (northbound)

0.1 mi from route

East Troy Rest Area 36 (southbound)

0.1 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

1.8 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2 mi from route

Franklin Woods Nature Center Pavilion

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 72.9

Franklin, Wisconsin

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+14147452760

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75 — 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 right onto Saint Lawrence Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
19 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 43

Merge onto I 43

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
68.9 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | I 41; US 41

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 10B Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
7
73.4 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward Drexel Avenue

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 321 Toward Drexel Avenue
6
75 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | WI 38 / South Howell Avenue

Turn right onto WI 38 / South Howell Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.27 one way

$24.55 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.47 $26.95
premium $4.89 $15.11 $30.21
diesel $5.61 $17.33 $34.66

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: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.6 0 $8.24 $3.77
Efficient EV 19.6 0 $6.87 $3.14
EV Truck/SUV 31.4 0 $10.99 $5.02

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Janesville, WI

Morning in Janesville on Sunday

Local time

8:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oak Creek, WI

Morning in Oak Creek on Sunday

Local time

8:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

10 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 41m 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 local, turn-heavy experience on this 81-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You'll be navigating through towns and local streets, primarily on Saint Lawrence Avenue, South Main Street, and Beloit Avenue. This type of drive means you'll be making frequent turns and passing through various community settings rather than cruising on open highways. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll likely experience a more varied pace as you transition between different local road segments. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience with constant adjustments.

87% 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: 49.9 mi on I 43.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 early in the drive near Saint Lawrence Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.5 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: near the start (Saint Lawrence Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 19 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 78.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.9 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 6 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.

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 Oak Creek, 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 (Saint Lawrence Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 19 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (I 41; US 41): 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 Oak Creek, 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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