Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Leon, 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
2h 48m
Distance
151.8 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leon, WI
Mike Norris
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 151.8-mile journey from Leon to the City of Janesville, Wisconsin, is an efficient drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 48 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I-90, I-39, and State Highway 27. With a highway share of 97%, this route is focused on getting you to your destination quickly. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $24, making it an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
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
75.9 miles from Leon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 111.9 mi | 1h 59m |
| I 39 | 33.1 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 27 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Black River Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Memorial Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 111.9 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leon, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on WI 27
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 27
2
Continue on WI 27
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Black River Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
4
Merge onto I 90
112 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
5
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.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
8
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
9
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Milton Avenue
10
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
11
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
12
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
13
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
For this straightforward 151.8-mile drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample time to reach Janesville without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing, perhaps pulling over after the longest stretch on I-90. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so ensure your tank is full before you depart to avoid any mid-drive refueling on the interstate. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transitions between I-90, I-39, and State Highway 27 to ensure you stay on track for your 2 hour and 48 minute journey.
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 75.9 miles from Leon, WI, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 33 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.9 miles or 1h 22m 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 14m
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 Leon, 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 Leon, WI
This is one driving day of about 151.8 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Leon, 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 I 90 for about 111.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.9 miles from Leon, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.9 miles.
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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Poynette Rest Area 12
0.1 mi from route
Janesville Rest Area 17
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pleasant Springs Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 148.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
115.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
148.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
148.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m 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
$23.73 one way
$47.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.06 | $52.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.21 | $58.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.52 | $67.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.5 | 0 | $15.94 | $7.29 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.28 | $6.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.25 | $9.72 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Leon, WI
Morning in Leon on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Morning in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
7:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Portage, WI
76 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
2h 48m 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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 57.6
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with an impressive 97% of the route on major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-90 and I-39, offering a consistent pace for the bulk of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 111.9 miles, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While the route is largely interstate, the inclusion of State Highway 27 provides a slight variation in the driving experience as you transition between major highways. This character means you'll cover ground efficiently, with minimal distractions from local traffic.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
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 151.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.2 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 2h 48m. Total distance: 151.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.9 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.2 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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