How far is Madison, WI from Portage, WI?
The driving distance from Madison, WI to Portage, WI is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.4 miles (52.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 54m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Portage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Portage.
-
1
Start on University Avenue
97 m · 18 sec · University Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto North Brooks Street
132 m · 26 sec · North Brooks Street
-
3
Turn left onto West Johnson Street
2.8 mi · 9 min · West Johnson Street
-
4
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
2791 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
-
5
Continue on Packers Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Packers Avenue
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Packers Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Packers Avenue
-
7
Continue on County Highway CV
2.4 mi · 4 min · County Highway CV
-
8
Turn slight left
152 m · 27 sec
-
9
Turn left onto US Highway 51
2827 ft · 54 sec · US Highway 51
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wis Dells
2084 ft · 51 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
23.3 mi · 25 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, Wausau
1128 ft · 15 sec
-
13
Continue on I 39 North: Portage, Wausau
2.8 mi · 3 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward WI 33, I 90 Alternate: Portage
1373 ft · 34 sec
-
15
Turn right onto State Highway 33
1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 33
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Cook Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Portage.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 39 North
Merge slight left
23.3 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Cloudy leaving Madison and Rain Showers near Portage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Portage?
The road trip is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Arlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from Madison and 19.2 miles from Portage.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.4 miles (52.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 4:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.56 one way or $11.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Madison and Rain Showers near Portage.
Stop Ideas Near Arlington
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 Arlington.
Portage
Madison, Wisconsin
Columbus
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Portage. Straight-line distance: 32.35 mi (52.07 km).
#1 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Portage
Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin
| Population | 10,381 |
| Coordinates | 43.5391500, -89.4626200 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
End: Portage (-89.46262, 43.53915)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.12 | $5.56 | $11.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $6.37 | $12.73 |
| Premium | $5.30 | $7.15 | $14.30 |
| Diesel | $6.19 | $8.36 | $16.72 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026