De Pere to Delavan is 165.7 miles and takes about 3h 12m via I 43 and US 45, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. With 95% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient travel experience. You'll primarily be on major roads, making it a good option for a quick getaway or a travel day that doesn't require an overnight stay. Plan for a smooth ride that covers a good distance without being overly taxing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.8 miles from De Pere, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
107.5 mi
1h 58m
US 45
39.5 mi
42m
East-West Freeway
4.8 mi
6m
Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
4m
WI 172
2.8 mi
3m
Riverside Drive
1 mi
1m
South Broadway
1 mi
1m
East Geneva Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 107.5 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-43
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 123 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,719 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,128
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between De Pere, WI and Delavan, WI.
1
Start on WI 57
1.0 mi·1 min·South Broadway
2
Continue on WI 57
1.0 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
3
Turn right
0.4 mi·40 sec
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·44 sec·this road
5
Merge onto WI 172
2.8 mi·3 min·WI 172
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
7
Merge onto I 43
107 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 72DToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 94
4.8 mi·6 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
13
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 45
40 mi·42 min·US 45
Exit 4Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: BeloitUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 21Toward WI 50: Delavan
16
Turn right onto WI 50
0.9 mi·2 min·East Geneva Street
17
Turn slight right
217 ft·3 sec
18
Turn slight right onto South 7th Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·South 7th Street
19
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·East Washington Street
20
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·South 4th Street
21
Turn right onto WI 11; CTH O
30 ft·1 sec·East Walworth Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
WI 11; CTH O
Trip Plan
For this 3h 12m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to take advantage of daylight and minimize traffic. Since the route is only 165.7 miles and mostly highway, you can easily complete it in one day. Consider taking your only planned stop around the halfway mark, perhaps after the 107.5-mile stretch on I 43, to refuel and stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost is $29, so check current prices before you depart to fine-tune your budget. This short drive offers flexibility, so don't hesitate to adjust your schedule if needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.8 miles from De Pere, WI, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delavan, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving De Pere, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from De Pere, WI
This is one driving day of about 165.7 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from De Pere, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 107.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway reset
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10 to $20
Belgium, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12624765057
Maribel Rest Area 51
0 mi from route
Denmark Rest Area 52
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
East Troy Rest Area 36 (southbound)
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Elkhorn Rest Area 35 (northbound)
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 114 and 124.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
114 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West: Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72D
Toward I 94 West: Madison
8
119.5 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago
9
119.7 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 305A
Toward I 41 South, I 894 South, US 45 South: Ch...
6
120.6 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
8
124.3 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 4
Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.47 one way
$48.94 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$27.01
$54.03
premium
$4.72
$30.77
$61.53
diesel
$4.80
$31.29
$62.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.7
0
$17.40
$7.95
Efficient EV
41.4
0
$14.50
$6.63
EV Truck/SUV
66.3
0
$23.20
$10.60
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
De Pere, WI
Late night
in De Pere on Monday
Local time
5:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Smoke
NNE 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Delavan, WI
Late night
in Delavan on Monday
Local time
5:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Areas Of Smoke
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
86°F
Butler, WI
83 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 12m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 165.7 miles spent on major roads like I 43 and US 45. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 107.5 miles along I 43. You'll experience a significant portion of the drive as rural cruising, though the density of exits on I 43 can increase as you approach more populated areas. Surface roads will likely come into play during the final segment of your trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.5 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 165.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
936 ft610 ft
Total Climb
558 ft
Total Descent
233 ft
Highest Point
936 ft
~165.7 mi in
Elevation Range
326 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from De Pere, WI to Delavan, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
119.5 mi in|~2h 16m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Delavan is a city in central, western Walworth County, in Southeast Wisconsin. Delavan is home to Lake Delavan and Comus Lakes, and to Lake Lawn Resort.
Top landmarks
•A. H. Allyn House — house in Delavan, Wisconsin, United States
•Delavan Post Office — post office in Delavan, United States
•Delavan's Vitrified Brick Street — street in Delavan, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 165.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.5 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Delavan, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Delavan, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
