Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Wisconsin Rapids, WI to Fitchburg, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
125.1 mi
201 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Tom Fisk
Fitchburg, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Wisconsin Rapids to Fitchburg is 125.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 32 minutes via I-39 and State Highway 73, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it an easy choice for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a practical option for getting between these two locations without much fuss.
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
62.5 miles from Wisconsin Rapids, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 84.6 mi | 1h 30m |
| State Highway 73 | 9.3 mi | 13m |
| Adams Avenue | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| South Park Street | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| 8th Street South | 5.3 mi | 10m |
| South Beltline Highway | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| County Highway M | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Wendt Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wisconsin Rapids, WI and Fitchburg, WI.
1
Start on this road
16 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
58 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn right onto 8th Street South
5.3 mi
·
10 min
·
8th Street South
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto WI 73
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
WI 73
5
Turn straight onto State Highway 73
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 73
6
Continue on Adams Avenue
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Adams Avenue
7
Continue on WI 73
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 73
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
9
Merge onto I 39; US 51
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 39; US 51
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; I 90
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 39; I 90
Toward I 39, I 90: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
13
Merge onto US 12; US 18
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
South Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 261
Toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, Oregon
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
140 ft
·
5 sec
Toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate South, US 14 East: Fitchburg, Oregon
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto US 14
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
South Park Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward CTH MM: Oregon
18
Keep slight right at fork
485 ft
·
11 sec
Toward CTH MM, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate: Oregon
19
Turn straight onto CTH MM
494 ft
·
11 sec
·
County Road MM
20
Turn slight right onto CTH MM
41 ft
·
0 sec
·
CTH MM
21
Turn slight right onto CTH M
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
County Highway M
22
Turn right onto Wendt Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Wendt Road
23
Arrive at destination
Wendt Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of just over two and a half hours, you have a lot of flexibility with when to depart. Leaving Wisconsin Rapids in the morning will get you to Fitchburg with plenty of afternoon time to spare. The route has one recommended stop, which is sufficient for a drive of this length, but you can always pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 84.6-mile stretch on I-39, as services can be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, so plan accordingly.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.5 miles from Wisconsin Rapids, WI, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 28 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.5 miles or 1h 19m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fitchburg, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI
This is one driving day of about 125.1 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Wisconsin Rapids, 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 84.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.5 miles from Wisconsin Rapids, 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 84.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Coloma Rest Area 81
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Poynette Rest Area 12
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Westfield Rest Area 82
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 119.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
8th Street South
Turn right onto 8th Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
103.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m 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
8
113.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, Oregon
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 261
Toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, O...
9
113.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate South, US 14 East: Fitchburg, Oregon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate S...
7
119.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CTH MM, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate: Oregon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH MM, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternat...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.56 one way
$39.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.47 | $42.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.07 | $48.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.62 | $55.24 |
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: 43.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.5 | 0 | $13.14 | $6.00 |
| Efficient EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50 | 0 | $17.51 | $8.01 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Origin
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Morning in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
8:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
21°F
Clear
ESE 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Fitchburg, WI
Morning in Fitchburg on Tuesday
Local time
8:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Portage, WI
63 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
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 32m 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 38.8
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 75% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 84.6 miles on I-39. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like State Highway 73 and Adams Avenue as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of cruising and navigating more local traffic as you get closer to Fitchburg.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and State Highway 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 8th Street South.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 125.1 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: near the start (8th Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.3 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI to Fitchburg, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Oregon along the way.
Oregon
113.2 mi in
|
~2h 15m
About the Cities
Starting in Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Full guide →Wisconsin Rapids is a town of 19,000 people (2020) in North Central Wisconsin that is known for its papermaking history, and its cranberry industry.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 125.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Fitchburg, 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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (8th Street South): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.3 miles (I 39; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Fitchburg, WI before heading back.
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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