Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
42.7 mi
69 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Grove, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Milwaukee, WI
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to head south from Cedar Grove to Milwaukee, you are looking at a quick, efficient 42.7-mile trip. Expect to spend about 53 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day journey rather than an overnight stay. You will primarily stick to WI 32, eventually transitioning through East Union Avenue and North Water Street as you reach the city. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, this route is as economical as it is straightforward. Since both locations are firmly within the Midwest, the transition from the smaller community of Cedar Grove to the urban environment of Milwaukee is seamless. It is a practical, no-fuss connection that allows you to reach your destination quickly without any required stops.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 32 | 39.5 mi | 45m |
| East Union Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Water Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Fond du Lac Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West McKinley Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Sauk Trail Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Center Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Grove, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
Start on Center Avenue
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn right onto WI 32
Continue on WI 32
Take the ramp onto WI 32
Take the exit
Turn left onto WI 145
Continue on West McKinley Avenue
Continue on East Knapp Street
Turn right onto North Water Street
Turn left onto East Mason Street
Turn right onto US 18; WI 32
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 42.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.4 miles from Cedar Grove, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 42 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto WI 32 / East Union Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp onto WI 32
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WI 145: Fond du Lac Avenue, McKinley Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto North Water Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.68 one way
$13.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.22 | $16.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.43 | $18.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
| Efficient EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.74 | $1.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.98 | $2.73 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Cedar Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Milwaukee on Sunday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This 53-minute trek is defined by its efficiency, with 92% of the journey taking place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on WI 32, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 39.5 miles. While the drive starts with the open feel of a highway-focused route, the character shifts as you navigate off the main road and onto local streets like East Union Avenue and North Water Street. You can expect a consistent, steady pace throughout the drive, lacking the technical twists of backroads but offering a reliable transit experience. Because the highway share is so high, you will find the rhythm of the drive predictable and easy to manage.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 32 and East Union Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 53m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (WI 32 / East Union Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (WI 32): Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
300 ft
Total Descent
385 ft
Highest Point
790 ft
~16 mi in
Elevation Range
175 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 42.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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