Transportation

For a Columbia County map click here

It has been said that all roads lead to Portage. That is a great thing for the local population of 10,000, the regional population of more than 55,000 and the many visitors who come to our city each year. Portage is about 35 miles from the state capital of Madison, 90 minutes from Milwaukee and about three hours from Chicago and the Twin Cities. Transportation in Portage includes a cab service, a municipal airport, Amtrak, and an interstate and highway system.

Interstate Highways 90/94 and 39 lie just outside of town. Travelers from Milwaukee, Chicago, and beyond can use I-90/94 to get to the Twin Cities and further west. Take I-39 to reach industrial destinations on the upper Wisconsin River and vacation spots further north. U.S. Highways 51 and 16 pass through the city and intersect State Highway 33.

A cab service in town operates 18 hours a day and a free van service shuttles seniors who are no longer able to drive. The Portage Public Transit shuttles commuters from Portage to Madison and back Monday through Friday. The Snow Shuttle Xpress operates during the winter months and makes runs from Cascade Mountain to various locations, including hotels, in Portage. The Snow Shuttle will begin service according to Cascade Mountain's hours of operations this weekend, then offer the regular transportation schedule on Thursday, Dec.8.

The local Amtrak station serves rail passengers traveling throughout the nation while the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline provides rail freight service. Click here for Amtrak depot parking information.

On the north side of town, private and chartered planes utilize the Portage Airport and a 3800 foot lighted runway. The Dane County Regional Airport, just 35 minutes from town, offers flights from carriers such as American, Midwest Express, Delta, Northwest, United and TWA. The Portage Municipal Airport features two asphalt runways; 3,778 feet north-south and 2,500 feet east-west. The unique "in-town" airport is just a short walk from several restaurants and motels, with taxi service available. During the EAA World-famous Fly-in at Oshkosh, the Flight Based Operator Air-Portage Inc provides a coach shuttle bus to and from Oshkosh. To contact the airport operator, call 608-742-3300 or visit www.air-portage.com, or email poppy@air-portage.com.

It's prime location near major commerce and tourist centers in central Wisconsin, including Wisconsin Dells, Baraboo and Madison--along with the relative short distance to major midwest hubs such as Milwaukee, Chicago, and the Twin Cities--makes Portage especially attractive to new business and industry.