Origin
Merrill, WI
Late night in Merrill on Tuesday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Merrill, WI to City of Janesville, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
191 mi
307 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Merrill, WI
Wikimedia Commons
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Merrill to Janesville is 191 miles and takes about 3 hours 32 minutes via I-39 and US-51, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 97% of the drive on the highway, you'll spend most of your time on major interstates and US routes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip that's easy to plan and execute, making it a solid choice for a quick drive between these two Wisconsin cities.
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
95.5 miles from Merrill, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 165.7 mi | 2h 57m |
| US 51 | 19.7 mi | 22m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| East Main Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North Garfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Memorial Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 165.7 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrill, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on this road
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
4
Merge onto US 51
20 mi
·
22 min
·
US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
6
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 39; US 10; US 51
7
Continue on I 39; US 51
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 39; US 51
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
12
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
13
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Milton Avenue
14
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
15
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
16
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
This is a comfortable one-day drive, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows you to reach Janesville with plenty of time to spare. You'll cover 165.7 miles on I-39 before needing to navigate surface roads, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the estimated $30 cost in mind. While there's only one designated stop on this route, consider pulling over if you need a break, especially during the longer highway segment. The high highway percentage means you can maintain a steady pace.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 95.5 miles from Merrill, WI, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.7 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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.5 miles or 1h 45m 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 51m
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 Merrill, 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 Merrill, WI
This is one driving day of about 191 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Merrill, 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 39 for about 165.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.5 miles from Merrill, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.7 miles.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 21.8 and 187.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
21.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
6
124.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
I 39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
154.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
187.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m 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
187.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m 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
$29.86 one way
$59.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.79 | $65.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.76 | $73.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.17 | $84.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.05 | $9.17 |
| Efficient EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.71 | $7.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.74 | $12.22 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Tuesday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Portage, WI
96 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
2 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
3h 32m 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 highway-intensive experience, with 97% of the 191 miles covered on major roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway will be 165.7 miles on I-39. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface streets like Milton Avenue as you approach Janesville. The route features a generally high highway share, meaning you'll encounter fewer traffic lights and more consistent speeds for most of the distance.
97% 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: 165.7 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and US 51. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.8 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 191 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: at 21.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.8 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.4 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Merrill, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
21.8 mi in
|
~26m
|
via I 39; US 51
About the Cities
Starting in Merrill, WI
Full guide →Founded 1881
Top landmarks
- • Lincoln County Courthouse — county courthouse in Merrill, Wisconsin
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 191 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m 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 165.7 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 21.8 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.8 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.4 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Janesville, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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