Origin
Rib Falls, WI
Morning in Rib Falls on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rib Falls, 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
3h 29m
Distance
186.4 mi
300 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rib Falls, WI
Ali Soheil
City of Janesville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Rib Falls to Janesville is 186.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 29 minutes via I 39 and WI 29, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest drive stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the state. Expect a highly focused highway experience for the majority of the journey. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal for travelers seeking an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours or complex navigation.
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
93.2 miles from Rib Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 165.7 mi | 2h 57m |
| State Highway 29 | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| WI 29 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Milton Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| County Road S | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| 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 Rib Falls, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on CTH S
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road S
2
Turn left onto WI 29
11 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 29
3
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
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
5
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 39; US 10; US 51
6
Continue on I 39; US 51
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 39; US 51
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 171A
Toward WI 26: State Highway 26
11
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
12
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Milton Avenue
13
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Memorial Drive
14
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Garfield Avenue
15
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Court Street
16
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hours and 29-minute estimated drive time, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample daylight for your travels and to avoid potential rush hour congestion. With the majority of the drive on I 39, plan your primary stop or break around the 165.7-mile mark to break up the longest stretch. Fuel costs are estimated at $29, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before embarking on the longest segment of the journey to ensure comfort and avoid unnecessary stops.
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 93.2 miles from Rib Falls, WI, or about 1h 44m 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 41 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.2 miles or 1h 44m 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 48m
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 Rib Falls, 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 Rib Falls, WI
This is one driving day of about 186.4 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Rib Falls, 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
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.2 miles from Rib Falls, 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 183.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
6
17.2 mi into trip
|
~23m 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
120.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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
149.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
183.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.14 one way
$58.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.00 | $63.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.87 | $71.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.15 | $82.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.57 | $8.95 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.31 | $7.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.10 | $11.93 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Morning in City of Janesville on Sunday
Local time
7:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Portage, WI
93 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
16 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 29m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 83.8
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 is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 39 and WI 29. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 165.7 miles on I 39, indicating significant time spent on this primary interstate. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced and direct, minimizing time spent on slower local roads. As you travel, the landscape will largely be viewed from the elevated perspective of the highway.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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 State Highway 29. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in near WI 29.
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 186.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 12.8 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.2 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Rib Falls, WI to City of Janesville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
12.8 mi in
|
~17m
|
via WI 29
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 186.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m 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 12.8 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.2 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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