How far is City of Janesville, WI from Balsam Lake, WI?
The driving distance from City of Janesville, WI to Balsam Lake, WI is about 294.4 miles (473.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 40m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between City of Janesville and Balsam Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville and Balsam Lake.
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1
Start on East Court Street
45 m · 6 sec · East Court Street
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2
Turn right onto Harrison Street
156 m · 27 sec · Harrison Street
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3
Turn left onto East Milwaukee Street
841 ft · 21 sec · East Milwaukee Street
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4
Turn sharp right onto Milton Avenue
3.1 mi · 7 min · Milton Avenue
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5
Take the exit slight left
1.3 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left
61.3 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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7
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
1027 ft · 19 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
2757 ft · 36 sec
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11
Merge slight left
50 mi · 55 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 8: Barron, Cameron
1931 ft · 47 sec
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13
Keep slight left
79 m · 14 sec
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14
Turn left
3.7 mi · 5 min
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15
Continue on East Division Avenue
2 mi · 5 min · East Division Avenue
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16
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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17
Continue on 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
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18
Continue on 14th Avenue
9 mi · 13 min · 14th Avenue
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue
40 m · 7 sec · 14th Avenue
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20
Exit the roundabout onto 14th Avenue
2825 ft · 1 min · 14th Avenue
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
31 m · 6 sec
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22
Exit the roundabout
10 mi · 14 min
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
38 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue
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24
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue
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25
Turn right onto 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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26
Continue on West Main Street
2548 ft · 56 sec · West Main Street
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27
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 18 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between City of Janesville and Balsam Lake.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 94 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving City of Janesville and Partly Sunny near Balsam Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from City of Janesville to Balsam Lake?
The road trip is about 294.4 miles (473.8 km) and usually takes 05h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Millston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.1 miles from City of Janesville and 147.3 miles from Balsam Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.18 one way or $78.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around City of Janesville and Partly Sunny near Balsam Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Millston
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 Millston.
Tomah
La Crosse
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Winona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between City of Janesville and Balsam Lake. Straight-line distance: 256.3 mi (412.47 km).
#1 City of Janesville
The most populous city in Rock County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 64,128 |
| Coordinates | 42.6857000, -89.0138500 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
End: Balsam Lake (-92.45464, 45.45218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 474 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.18 | $78.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.19 | $88.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.36 | $96.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.11 | $110.22 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.