Origin
Lake Delton, WI
Late night in Lake Delton on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Delton, WI to City of Janesville, 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 38m
Distance
84.6 mi
136 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Delton, WI
Wikimedia Commons
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This straightforward 84.6-mile drive from Lake Delton to the City of Janesville, Wisconsin, is designed as a 1-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes. You'll spend about 95% of your time on major highways, making it a highly efficient journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $13, which is quite budget-friendly. This route is ideal for those looking to cover ground quickly within the Midwest region, offering a practical connection between two Wisconsin locales. It's a no-fuss drive perfect for a quick visit or transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.3 miles from Lake Delton, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 45 mi | 48m |
| I 39 | 33.1 mi | 35m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Wisconsin Dells Parkway South | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Wisconsin Dells Parkway North | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Memorial Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 45 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Delton, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on West Lake Avenue
64 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Lake Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 12; WI 23
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
3
Turn left onto US 12
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Wisconsin Dells Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 90; I 94
45 mi
·
48 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
9
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
10
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Milton Avenue
11
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
12
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
13
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
14
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 38-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about extensive stops for rest, though planning for a brief break around the halfway point is always a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you start, as the $13 fuel cost is an estimate and gas prices can fluctuate. Since the longest stretch without a major exit is 45 miles on I-90, it's wise to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment.
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 42.3 miles from Lake Delton, WI, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.3 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 20m
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 Lake Delton, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lake Delton, WI
This is one driving day of about 84.6 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Lake Delton, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 45 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.3 miles from Lake Delton, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 81.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
5
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 90; I 94
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
48 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
I 39; I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90 toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
7
81.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 26: State Highway 26
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
6
81.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 26 South: Janesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.23 one way
$26.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.52 | $29.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.28 | $32.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.68 | $37.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.88 | $4.06 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.40 | $3.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.84 | $5.41 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Late night in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Leeds, WI
42 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
21 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
1h 38m 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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
Caution: Hemlock Creek Segment — Logging Activities
Caution: Indian Creek Segment — Machinery and Parking Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route. With 95% of the drive on interstates and major roads like I-90 and I-39, you'll encounter mostly fast-paced travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 45 miles on I-90, allowing for a consistent cruising speed. While not a scenic tour, this highway-centric profile means minimal traffic delays and a predictable driving experience. The transition to Milton Avenue as you approach Janesville offers a slight shift in environment as you enter the city.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
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 84.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48 miles (I 39; I 90): 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 38m. Total distance: 84.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45 miles on I 90. 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 City of Janesville, 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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