This straightforward 121.4-mile drive from Stoughton, WI to Stevens Point, WI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-39, making up 92% of your journey, so expect a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this is an economical option for traversing the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, you won't need to plan for an overnight stop, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.7 miles from Stoughton, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
111.5 mi
1h 59m
County Highway N
4.3 mi
6m
Main Street
2.5 mi
5m
County Road N
1.5 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
South 4th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 111.5 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stoughton, WI and Stevens Point, WI.
1
Start on South 4th Street
80 ft·10 sec·South 4th Street
2
Turn left onto US 51; CTH A
0.9 mi·2 min·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto CTH N
1.5 mi·2 min·County Highway N
4
Continue on CTH B; CTH N
1.5 mi·2 min·County Road N
5
Continue on CTH N
2.4 mi·3 min·County Highway N
6
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
121 ft·2 sec·County Highway N
7
Continue on CTH N
0.2 mi·31 sec·County Highway N
8
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
83 ft·2 sec·County Highway N
9
Continue on CTH N
0.1 mi·17 sec·County Highway N
10
Enter roundabout
200 ft·4 sec
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West
11
Continue
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West
12
Merge onto I 39; I 90
38 mi·40 min·I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 39
Exit 108A; 108BToward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, WausauUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 39
73 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 39
Exit 108BToward I 39 North: Portage, Wausau
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 158AToward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
16
Turn right onto US 10
112 ft·2 sec·Main Street
17
Take the exit
313 ft·18 sec
18
Turn sharp left onto US 10
2.5 mi·5 min·Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
WI 66
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 18-minute journey, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially if you encounter any on the local road segments. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed, but keep in mind the longest stretch on I-39 is over 111 miles. It's wise to fuel up before leaving Stoughton to cover the estimated $19 fuel cost and ensure you have enough for the entire 121.4 miles. A good tip is to check your GPS for any potential construction zones on I-39, as these can add unexpected delays.
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 60.7 miles from Stoughton, WI, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 Stevens Point, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stoughton, 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 Stoughton, WI
This is one driving day of about 121.4 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Stoughton, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 39 for about 111.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 118.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.6 mi into trip|~11m in|CTH N / County Highway N
Enter roundabout onto CTH N / County Highway N
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
6.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Enter roundabout toward I 39 North, I 90 West
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West
5
7.1 mi into trip|~12m in|I 39; I 90
Merge onto I 39; I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
44.9 mi into trip|~52m in|I 39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39 toward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, Wausau
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 108A; 108B
Toward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Porta...
6
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 158A
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.98 one way
$37.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.84
$41.68
premium
$4.89
$23.36
$46.72
diesel
$5.61
$26.80
$53.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.4
0
$12.75
$5.83
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.62
$4.86
EV Truck/SUV
48.6
0
$17.00
$7.77
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 16, 2026
Origin
Stoughton, WI
Night
in Stoughton on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Stevens Point, WI
Night
in Stevens Point on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
46°F
Portage, WI
61 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
24 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 18m 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.
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 84
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The personality of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-centric, with a significant 92% share on major roads like I-39. You'll encounter one lengthy stretch of 111.5 miles on I-39, offering a consistent pace for much of the trip. While mostly interstate, the route begins and ends with local road segments, including County Highway N and Main Street, providing a brief transition in and out of the main highway focus. This blend means you'll spend the majority of your time on faster-paced driving.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.5 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and County Highway N. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near CTH N / County Highway N.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 18m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles (CTH N / County Highway N): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Between Stoughton, WI and Stevens Point, WI, road signs point toward Portage and Wausau.
Portage
44.9 mi in|~52m|via I 39
Wausau
44.9 mi in|~52m|via I 39
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 121.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 111.5 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 6.6 miles (CTH N / County Highway N): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles (I 39; I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Stevens Point, WI before heading back.
