How far is Balsam Lake, WI from Joel, WI?
The driving distance from Balsam Lake, WI to Joel, WI is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.4 miles (20 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Balsam Lake and Joel.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balsam Lake and Joel.
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1
Start on Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 20 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
2548 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
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3
Continue on 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
39 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · East 130th Avenue
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7
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 2 min
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8
Turn right onto 60th Street
1.6 km · 2 min · 60th Street
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9
Turn left onto County Highway D
3.8 mi · 9 min · County Highway D
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Highway D
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Balsam Lake and Joel.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East 130th Avenue
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
4.36 mi · 00h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Balsam Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joel.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Balsam Lake to Joel?
The road trip is about 16.7 miles (26.9 km) and usually takes 00h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Amery is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.3 miles from Balsam Lake and 8.4 miles from Joel.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.4 miles (20 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.22 one way or $4.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Balsam Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Joel.
Stop Ideas Near Amery
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Amery.
Menomonie, WI
Saint Paul Union Depot
Eau Claire, WI
Red Wing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Balsam Lake and Joel. Straight-line distance: 12.41 mi (19.97 km).
#1 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Joel
Joel is a place in Wisconsin, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 45.3605200, -92.2346300 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| Country | United States |
End: Joel (-92.23463, 45.36052)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.22 | $4.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.51 | $5.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.75 | $5.49 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.13 | $6.26 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Wisconsin · Apr 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.