Planning a trip from Edgar, Wisconsin, to Milwaukee? This 202.5-mile drive will take you approximately 3 hours and 56 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day excursion. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 98% of it being interstate or major roadways, and has an estimated fuel cost of $32. You'll traverse the heart of Wisconsin, moving from one Midwest locale to another without crossing state lines. With a longest stretch of 80.8 miles on I-41, it's a straightforward journey perfect for a single day of travel.
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
101.3 miles from Edgar, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
80.8 mi
1h 29m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
WI 29
18 mi
21m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
East-West Freeway
5.7 mi
8m
North 3rd Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
County Road H
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 80.8 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 116 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,513 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,442
Quietest
2 AM
~373 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Edgar, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
1
Start on East Oak Street
133 ft·6 sec·East Oak Street
2
Turn right onto CTH H
0.7 mi·1 min·North 3rd Avenue
3
Continue on CTH H
0.4 mi·1 min·County Road H
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
5
Merge onto WI 29
13 mi·15 min·WI 29
6
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi·6 min·WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, MadisonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
8
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
9
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 10; WI 66
Exit 158Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi·1 hr·US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, WaupacaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
13
Merge onto I 41; US 41
81 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 38A-BToward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, MadisonUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 38AToward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: MilwaukeeUse the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 94
4.7 mi·6 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.0 mi·1 min·East-West Freeway
Exit 310CToward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 1EToward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
20
Turn slight right
309 ft·14 sec
Toward Jackson Street SouthUse the right lane.
21
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Saint Paul Avenue
22
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·47 sec·North Milwaukee Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 56-minute duration, this route from Edgar to Milwaukee is ideally suited for a single day trip. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach your destination with daylight to spare. You'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way, but with 98% of the drive on highways, you can be flexible with breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 80.8 miles on I-41, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is $32, which is quite reasonable for this distance.
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 101.3 miles from Edgar, WI, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milwaukee, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edgar, 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 Edgar, WI
This is one driving day of about 202.5 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Edgar, 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 41 for about 80.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 15 and 200.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
15 mi into trip|~19m in|WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
8
49.7 mi into trip|~58m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
100.6 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
195.1 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwauk...
9
200.9 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 794 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794 / East-West Freeway toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.78 one way
$67.56 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$36.71
$73.43
premium
$5.26
$41.93
$83.85
diesel
$6.18
$49.26
$98.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.26
$9.72
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.72
$8.10
EV Truck/SUV
81
1
$28.35
$12.96
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Edgar, WI
Late night
in Edgar on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Milwaukee, WI
Late night
in Milwaukee on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Metz, WI
101 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
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 56m 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 drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, designed for efficient travel. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on well-maintained interstates and major U.S. highways, including I-41 and US-10. The highway share is a significant 98%, indicating minimal time on slower, local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.8 miles on I-41, offering a consistent pace for a substantial portion of the trip. Expect a steady, predictable drive with few surprises in terms of road type.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.8 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15 miles in near WI 29.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 202.5 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 15 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.6 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,290 ft615 ft
Total Climb
499 ft
Total Descent
1,174 ft
Highest Point
1,290 ft
Elevation Range
675 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Edgar, WI and Milwaukee, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin, United States. The city celebrates its heritage as a major center for beer-brewing, and of it German and Polish communities. It is now known for its many festivals.
The city's population is about 600,000 with about 1.6 million in the metropolitan area (2019). It is in the southeastern portion of the state on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
Top landmarks
•Milwaukee Art Museum — art museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
•Milwaukee City Hall — municipal office in E. Wells St. Milwaukee, United States
•Basilica of St. Josaphat — church building in Milwaukee, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 202.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.8 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Milwaukee, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.6 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Milwaukee, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
