If you are planning a trip from Kimberly to Janesville, you are looking at a straightforward 129.4-mile journey through the heart of Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 50 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With fuel costs estimated at approximately $20, it is an affordable way to travel between these two Midwest cities. Since the route is entirely contained within Wisconsin, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. Because of the manageable duration, you can easily handle the drive in one go without needing an overnight stop. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from point A to point B with minimal 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
64.7 miles from Kimberly, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 26
55.7 mi
1h 13m
WI 26
34.8 mi
45m
I 41
19.5 mi
20m
Tri-County Expressway
6.4 mi
7m
US 151
4.1 mi
4m
North Main Street
2 mi
4m
South Railroad Street
1 mi
1m
County Road CE
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 26
— 55.7 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on West Kimberly Avenue
67 ft·8 sec·West Kimberly Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Railroad Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Railroad Street
3
Enter roundabout onto South Railroad Street
85 ft·4 sec·South Railroad Street
4
Continue on South Railroad Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Railroad Street
5
Turn straight onto CTH CE
0.4 mi·32 sec·County Road CE
6
Enter roundabout onto CTH CE
164 ft·2 sec·County Road CE
7
Continue on CTH CE
0.4 mi·36 sec·County Road CE
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on CTH CE
0.1 mi·17 sec·East College Avenue
9
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto WI 441
6.4 mi·7 min·Tri-County Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on WI 441; US 10
0.7 mi·47 sec·Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 287 BToward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, OshkoshUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 41; US 41
19 mi·20 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 113Toward WI 26, CTH N: RosendaleUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto WI 26; CTH N
11 mi·14 min·State Highway 26
16
Continue on WI 26
1.0 mi·2 min·North Main Street
17
Continue on WI 26
9.7 mi·13 min·State Highway 26
18
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
19
Merge onto US 151; WI 26
4.1 mi·4 min·US 151; WI 26
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 144Toward WI 26: Waupun, Juneau
21
Keep slight left at fork
187 ft·4 sec
22
Turn left onto WI 26
6.9 mi·9 min·State Highway 26
23
Continue on WI 26
0.5 mi·1 min·Front Street
24
Continue on WI 26
5.6 mi·7 min·State Highway 26
25
Continue on WI 26
0.9 mi·1 min·North Main Street
26
Turn right onto CTH W
0.6 mi·1 min·West North Street
27
Turn left onto Western Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·Western Avenue
28
Turn right onto WI 26; CTH S
23 mi·27 min·State Highway 26
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on WI 26
35 mi·45 min·WI 26
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft·11 sec·East Memorial Drive
31
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Garfield Avenue
32
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft·15 sec·East Court Street
33
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 50-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the highway. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though aiming for off-peak hours can help you avoid potential traffic on the busier segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 55.7-mile stretch on Highway 26, as service options may be more limited than on the interstate portions. If you are traveling with others, use the predictability of the highway-heavy route to coordinate your rest breaks efficiently. Taking advantage of the single-day timeframe allows you to maximize your time at your final destination in Janesville.
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 64.7 miles from Kimberly, WI, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 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 Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, WI
This is one driving day of about 129.4 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Kimberly, 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 State Highway 26 for about 55.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 56 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|WI 441 / Tri-County Expressway
Merge onto WI 441 / Tri-County Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, Oshkosh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 287 B
Toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, Oshk...
8
29.6 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward WI 26, CTH N: Rosendale
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 113
Toward WI 26, CTH N: Rosendale
6
56 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward WI 26: Waupun, Juneau
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 144
Toward WI 26: Waupun, Juneau
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.23 one way
$40.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.21
$44.42
premium
$4.89
$24.90
$49.80
diesel
$5.61
$28.57
$57.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.8
0
$13.59
$6.21
Efficient EV
32.4
0
$11.32
$5.18
EV Truck/SUV
51.8
0
$18.12
$8.28
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Kimberly, WI
Morning
in Kimberly on Sunday
Local time
9:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Morning
in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
9:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Juneau, WI
65 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
13 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 50m 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 93% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will primarily navigate via I-41 and State Highway 26, creating a drive that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 55.7 miles on State Highway 26, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. While the road personality is largely defined by these fast-moving stretches, the transitions between the interstate and state highways keep the drive from feeling entirely monotonous. You will find that the road conditions are predictable, allowing you to maintain a consistent pace as you transition between the two regions.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.7 mi on State Highway 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 26 and WI 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 129.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (WI 441 / Tri-County Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Between Kimberly, WI and City of Janesville, WI, road signs point toward Oshkosh, Cth N: Rosendale and Juneau.
Oshkosh
9.3 mi in|~12m
Cth N: Rosendale
29.6 mi in|~34m
Juneau
56 mi in|~1h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 129.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.7 miles on State Highway 26. 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.
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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (WI 441 / Tri-County Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
