How far is Portage, WI from Madison, WI?
The driving distance from Portage, WI to Madison, WI is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.4 miles (52.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m 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 53m.
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 Portage and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Portage and Madison.
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1
Start on West Cook Street
2 mi · 3 min · West Cook Street
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2
Take the ramp slight right
2390 ft · 59 sec
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3
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 2 min
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4
Keep slight right
24.2 mi · 26 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US-51: Madison, De Forest
1781 ft · 44 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US-51 SOUTH
770 ft · 19 sec
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7
Turn straight onto US Highway 51
1222 ft · 23 sec · US Highway 51
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8
Turn right onto County Highway CV
2.5 mi · 5 min · County Highway CV
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9
Continue on Packers Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Packers Avenue
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10
Turn straight onto State Highway 113
824 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 113
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11
Continue on Packers Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Packers Avenue
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12
Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Pennsylvania Avenue
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13
Continue on East Johnson Street
2345 ft · 1 min · East Johnson Street
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14
Continue on East Gorham Street
1.7 mi · 5 min · East Gorham Street
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15
Continue on University Avenue
1949 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Portage and Madison.
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.
West Cook Street
Keep slight right
24.2 mi · 00h 26m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Portage and Rain Showers near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Portage to Madison?
The road trip is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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 Portage and 19.2 miles from Madison.
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 4:42 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 Rain Showers around Portage and Rain Showers near Madison.
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 Portage and Madison. Straight-line distance: 32.35 mi (52.07 km).
#1 Portage
Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin
| Population | 10,381 |
| Coordinates | 43.5391500, -89.4626200 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Madison (-89.40123, 43.07305)
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 46m |
| 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