This 175.2-mile drive from Wausau, WI, to Janesville, WI, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day. With an estimated duration of 3 hours and 16 minutes, it's an ideal option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes I-39, making it a highway-focused journey through the heart of the Midwest's Wisconsin region. Expect a fuel cost of around $27 for this journey. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel 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
87.6 miles from Wausau, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
165.7 mi
2h 57m
US 51
3.8 mi
4m
Milton Avenue
2.3 mi
5m
East Stewart Avenue
1 mi
2m
North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Highway 52 Parkway
0.5 mi
1m
Scott Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North 1st Street
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 Wausau, WI and City of Janesville, WI.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn straight onto North 1st Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·North 1st Street
3
Turn left onto WI 52; US 51 Business
0.2 mi·43 sec·Scott Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on WI 52; US 51 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·East Stewart Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on WI 52
0.5 mi·1 min·Highway 52 Parkway
6
Turn left
0.4 mi·55 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto US 51
3.8 mi·4 min·US 51
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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
9
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
10
Continue on I 39; US 51
73 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 39; US 51
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
30 mi·31 min·I 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
33 mi·35 min·I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 171AToward WI 26: State Highway 26
15
Keep slight right at fork
414 ft·10 sec
Toward WI 26 South: Janesville
16
Turn slight right onto WI 26
2.3 mi·5 min·Milton Avenue
17
Turn left onto East Memorial Drive
261 ft·11 sec·East Memorial Drive
18
Continue on North Garfield Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Garfield Avenue
19
Turn right onto East Court Street
467 ft·15 sec·East Court Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Court Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 16-minute duration, this route is perfect for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving early to maximize your day at your destination. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is on I-39 for over 165 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so plan accordingly.
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 87.6 miles from Wausau, WI, or about 1h 37m 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.6 miles or 1h 37m 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 37m
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 Wausau, 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 Wausau, WI
This is one driving day of about 175.2 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Wausau, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 172 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|WI 52; US 51 Business / Scott Street
Turn left onto WI 52; US 51 Business / Scott Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
6.1 mi into trip|~10m 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
109 mi into trip|~2h 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
138.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
172 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
$27.39 one way
$54.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.07
$60.15
premium
$4.89
$33.72
$67.43
diesel
$5.61
$38.68
$77.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.6
0
$18.40
$8.41
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.33
$7.01
EV Truck/SUV
70.1
0
$24.53
$11.21
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 19, 2026
Origin
Wausau, WI
Night
in Wausau on Saturday
Local time
11:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Janesville, WI
Night
in City of Janesville on Saturday
Local time
11:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Portage, WI
88 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
8 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 16m 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 72.5
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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route being on major roadways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-39, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 165.7 miles. This means you'll experience consistent speeds and a straightforward navigation experience for most of the journey. While primarily interstate, the transition onto US 51 and Milton Avenue as you approach Janesville will offer a slight change in pace from the high-speed highway driving.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and US 51. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WI 52; US 51 Business / Scott Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 175.2 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 0.1 miles (WI 52; US 51 Business / Scott Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 175.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m 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 0.1 miles (WI 52; US 51 Business / Scott Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Janesville, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
