This 130.3-mile drive from Prairie du Chien to Janesville, Wisconsin, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 3 hours. Primarily using US 18 and US Highway 14, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a convenient day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The drive offers a consistent experience, with the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving being 47.6 miles on US 18. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stop.
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
65.2 miles from Prairie du Chien, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 18
47.6 mi
59m
US Highway 18
24.1 mi
34m
US Highway 14
17 mi
23m
Great River Road
12.3 mi
17m
County Highway M
8.7 mi
13m
US 14
7.1 mi
9m
US 51
3.4 mi
6m
Dodgeville Expressway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 18
— 47.6 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie du Chien, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on WI 35; WI 27
408 ft·10 sec·South Marquette Road
2
Enter roundabout onto WI 35; WI 27
142 ft·3 sec·South Marquette Road
3
Continue on WI 35; WI 27
343 ft·8 sec·South Marquette Road
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 35
120 ft·2 sec·South Marquette Road
5
Continue on WI 35
1.7 mi·3 min·South Marquette Road
6
Continue on US 18; WI 35; WI 60
12 mi·17 min·Great River Road
7
Continue on US 18; WI 133
15 mi·21 min·US 18; WI 133
8
Turn right onto US 18; US 61
0.5 mi·1 min·Lincoln Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 18
0.5 mi·1 min·12th Street
10
Continue on US 18
16 mi·22 min·US Highway 18
11
Continue on US 18; WI 80
1.3 mi·2 min·West Main Street
12
Continue on US 18
8.4 mi·11 min·US Highway 18
13
Continue on US 18
2.0 mi·3 min·Dodgeville Expressway
14
Enter roundabout onto US 18
147 ft·6 sec·Dodgeville Expressway
15
Continue on US 18
0.3 mi·26 sec·Dodgeville Expressway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 18
32 mi·37 min·US 18
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward CTH PB: Military Ridge State Trail, Ice Age National Scenic TrailUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
142 ft·3 sec
19
Turn straight onto CTH PB
0.2 mi·28 sec·County Highway PB
20
Turn left onto CTH M
7.1 mi·10 min·County Highway M
Use the left lane.
21
Turn straight onto CTH MM
101 ft·2 sec·CTH MM
22
Turn slight left onto CTH MM
414 ft·10 sec·CTH MM
23
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
24
Merge onto US 14
7.1 mi·9 min·US 14
25
Enter roundabout onto US 14
115 ft·9 sec·US Highway 14
26
Continue on US 14
3.9 mi·5 min·US Highway 14
27
Turn left onto West Bullard Road
1.5 mi·2 min·West Bullard Road
28
Turn right onto North Tupper Road
0.6 mi·50 sec·North Tupper Road
29
Turn right onto CTH M
1.6 mi·2 min·County Highway M
30
Turn left onto US 14
13 mi·18 min·US Highway 14
31
Turn right onto US 51; CTH F
3.4 mi·6 min·US 51; CTH F
32
Turn left onto East Court Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East Court Street
33
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
This approximately 3-hour drive is perfectly suited for a single day, so you have the flexibility to start when you please. Consider an early departure to maximize your time at your destination or to avoid any potential midday traffic. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, and with one recommended stop, you can break up the 130.3 miles as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 47.6 miles on US 18, to ensure a smooth journey.
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 65.2 miles from Prairie du Chien, WI, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.6 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 29 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.2 miles or 1h 34m 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 27m
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 Prairie du Chien, 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 Prairie du Chien, WI
This is one driving day of about 130.3 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Prairie du Chien, 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 US 18 for about 47.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 91.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|WI 35; WI 27 / South Marquette Road
Enter roundabout onto WI 35; WI 27 / South Marquette Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|WI 35 / South Marquette Road
Enter roundabout onto WI 35 / South Marquette Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
57.8 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|US 18 / Dodgeville Expressway
Enter roundabout onto US 18 / Dodgeville Expressway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
90.4 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward CTH PB: Military Ridge State Trail, Ice Age National Scenic Trail
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 CTH PB: Military Ridge State Trail, Ice...
6
91.1 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|CTH M / County Highway M
Turn left onto CTH M / County Highway M
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.37 one way
$40.74 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.37
$44.73
premium
$4.89
$25.08
$50.15
diesel
$5.61
$28.77
$57.54
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: 45.6 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
39.1
0
$13.68
$6.25
Efficient EV
32.6
0
$11.40
$5.21
EV Truck/SUV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
Gas CO2
46 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
Prairie du Chien, WI
Morning
in Prairie du Chien on Sunday
Local time
8:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Morning
in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
8:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
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
3h 3m 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 for most of this 130.3-mile journey, as 78% of the route utilizes major roadways. You'll be spending a significant amount of time on US 18 and US Highway 14, which tend to offer a steady pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.6 miles on US 18, providing a good opportunity to settle in. While predominantly highway, the road character should remain consistent, allowing for efficient travel across Wisconsin.
78% 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: 47.6 mi on US 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 18 and US Highway 18. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WI 35; WI 27 / South Marquette Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 130.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (WI 35; WI 27 / South Marquette Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (WI 35 / South Marquette Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 57.8 miles (US 18 / Dodgeville Expressway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 130.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.6 miles on US 18. 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.
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 0.1 miles (WI 35; WI 27 / South Marquette Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (WI 35 / South Marquette Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 57.8 miles (US 18 / Dodgeville Expressway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Janesville, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
