This 111.2-mile journey from Random Lake to the City of Janesville, Wisconsin, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Given its manageable length and duration, it's perfectly suited as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You'll be spending a significant 93% of your time on highways, making for a relatively efficient transit between these two Midwest locations. With an estimated fuel cost of just $17, this route offers an economical option for getting between these Wisconsin communities. It's a practical choice for a quick relocation or an easy transit day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.6 miles from Random Lake, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 45
45.6 mi
49m
State Highway 57
35.1 mi
44m
US 14
14.5 mi
19m
East-West Freeway
4.8 mi
6m
Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
4m
East Racine Street
2.7 mi
5m
County Highway K
1.2 mi
2m
South Randall Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 45
— 45.6 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Random Lake, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on 3rd Street
203 ft·11 sec·3rd Street
2
Turn right onto Butler Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·Butler Street
3
Continue on CTH K
1.2 mi·2 min·County Highway K
4
Turn right onto WI 57
35 mi·44 min·State Highway 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 72DToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94
4.8 mi·6 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 45
46 mi·49 min·US 45
Exit 4Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: BeloitUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 15Toward US 14: Darien, JanesvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft·3 sec
14
Merge onto US 14
3.3 mi·4 min·US 14
15
Turn left onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi·15 min·US 14; WI 11
16
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi·2 min·East Racine Street
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 11
118 ft·6 sec·East Racine Street
18
Continue on WI 11
0.1 mi·12 sec·East Racine Street
19
Enter roundabout onto East Racine Street
96 ft·5 sec·East Racine Street
20
Continue on East Racine Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Racine Street
21
Turn right onto South Randall Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·South Randall Avenue
22
Turn left onto CTH MM
0.5 mi·1 min·Ruger Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto East Court Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Court Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 21-minute drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to maximize daylight and arrive with plenty of time to spare. Since the route is a relatively short 111.2 miles and predominantly highway, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. However, it's always wise to take a break during the longest stretch of 45.6 miles on US 45 to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, budgeting for gas is simple, but be sure to check your tank before departing Random Lake, as services can be more spread out on highway stretches.
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 55.6 miles from Random Lake, WI, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.6 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 miles or 1h 12m 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 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 Random Lake, 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 Random Lake, WI
This is one driving day of about 111.2 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Random Lake, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 45 for about 45.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.7 and 92.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
36.7 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West: Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72D
Toward I 94 West: Madison
8
42.3 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago
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 305A-B
Toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago
9
42.5 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 305A
Toward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: Ch...
8
47 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 4
Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
8
92.6 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
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 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.38 one way
$34.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.09
$38.18
premium
$4.89
$21.40
$42.80
diesel
$5.61
$24.55
$49.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
EV Truck/SUV
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 17, 2026
Origin
Random Lake, WI
Afternoon
in Random Lake on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Afternoon
in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 20 mph89% chanceLive 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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 21m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 drive that is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 93% of the 111.2 miles covered on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.6 miles on US 45, offering a good period of consistent travel. While primarily on highways like US 45, State Highway 57, and US 14, the character of the drive is geared towards efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the trip, making it predictable and easy to navigate.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.6 mi on US 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 45 and State Highway 57. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 111.2 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 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.5 miles: 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.
Between Random Lake, WI and City of Janesville, WI, road signs point toward Chicago and Janesville.
Chicago
42.3 mi in|~56m
Janesville
92.6 mi in|~1h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m 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 45.6 miles on US 45. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
