How far is City of Janesville, WI from Waupaca, WI?

The driving distance from City of Janesville, WI to Waupaca, WI is about 145.6 miles (234.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 115.6 miles (186 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
145.68 mi
02h 58m
Flight
115.61 mi
186.05 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from City of Janesville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
115.61 mi
Kilometers
186.05 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
145.68 mi
Kilometers
234.45 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 02h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waupaca
Mon, May 4, 6:30 PM CDT
Return by in City of Janesville
Mon, May 4, 9:28 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave City of Janesville
2026-05-04T15:31
Arrive Waupaca
Mon, May 4, 6:30 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in City of Janesville
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Portage
WI

Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin

From City of Janesville
72.8 mi
01h 29m
To Waupaca
72.8 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Monday

Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
66°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between City of Janesville and Waupaca.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Janesville and Waupaca.

  1. 1

    Start on East Court Street

    45 m · 6 sec · East Court Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Harrison Street

    156 m · 27 sec · Harrison Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Milwaukee Street

    841 ft · 21 sec · East Milwaukee Street

  4. 4

    Turn sharp right onto Milton Avenue

    3.1 mi · 7 min · Milton Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left

    1.3 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    61.3 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, Wausau

    1128 ft · 15 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 39 North: Portage, Wausau

    39.3 mi · 42 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 21: Coloma, Necedah

    1444 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    47 m · 4 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto West Follett Drive

    2969 ft · 1 min · West Follett Drive

  12. 12

    Continue on Wautoma Road

    2396 ft · 50 sec · Wautoma Road

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 21

    12.3 mi · 17 min · State Highway 21

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Cambridge Street

    2885 ft · 1 min · South Cambridge Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    750 ft · 32 sec · West Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto State Highway 22

    24.3 mi · 36 min · State Highway 22

  17. 17

    Continue on Western Avenue South

    1977 ft · 33 sec · Western Avenue South

  18. 18

    Continue on State Highway 22

    1740 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 22

  19. 19

    Continue on Lakeside Parkway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Lakeside Parkway

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    3026 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Fulton Street

    83 m · 6 sec · West Fulton Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Fulton Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between City of Janesville and Waupaca.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Milton Avenue
65.2 mi · 45%
I 39 North
39.3 mi · 27%
State Highway 22
24.6 mi · 17%
State Highway 21
12.3 mi · 8%
Lakeside Parkway
0.74 mi · 1%
South Main Street
0.57 mi
Longest Stretch

Milton Avenue

Merge slight left

61.3 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30 mi
115.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portage
01h 29m from City of Janesville
Leave By
12:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving City of Janesville and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Waupaca.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from City of Janesville to Waupaca?

The road trip is about 145.6 miles (234.4 km) and usually takes 02h 58m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.8 miles from City of Janesville and 72.8 miles from Waupaca.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 115.6 miles (186 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.38 one way or $38.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around City of Janesville and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Waupaca.

Stop Ideas Near Portage

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Portage, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Portage.

RAIL

Portage

1 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

27 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

39 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Columbus

43 mi away
359 North Ludington Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between City of Janesville and Waupaca. Straight-line distance: 115.61 mi (186.05 km).

City of Janesville

#1 City of Janesville

The most populous city in Rock County, Wisconsin.

Population64,128
Coordinates42.6857000, -89.0138500
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Waupaca

#2 Waupaca

City in and county seat of Waupaca County, Wisconsin

Population1,168
Coordinates44.3580300, -89.0859500
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: City of Janesville (-89.01385, 42.6857)
End: Waupaca (-89.08595, 44.35803)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 234 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.14 gal
19.46 L · about $19.38
Round trip
$38.77
10.28 gal · 38.92 L
Estimated CO2
45.7 kg one way
Round trip: 91.4 kg / 202 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.38 $38.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.86 $43.72
Premium $4.65 $23.92 $47.84
Diesel $5.30 $27.26 $54.53

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 · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between City of Janesville and Waupaca. The current time is 15:31:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.