If you are planning a trip from Fitchburg to Hales Corners, you are looking at a straightforward 92.6-mile trek across Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 51 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the West Beltline Highway, US 14, and I-94 to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of only $14, this route is an economical choice for travelers moving between these two Midwestern locations. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.3 miles from Fitchburg, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
63.3 mi
1h 8m
West Beltline Highway
5.8 mi
7m
US 14
5.7 mi
6m
County Highway M
4.8 mi
7m
Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
4m
I 39
3.1 mi
3m
US 45
2.3 mi
4m
Wendt Road
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fitchburg, WI and Hales Corners, WI.
1
Start on Wendt Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Wendt Road
2
Turn left onto CTH M
4.8 mi·7 min·County Highway M
3
Turn straight onto CTH MM
101 ft·2 sec·CTH MM
4
Turn slight left onto CTH MM
0.1 mi·18 sec·CTH MM
5
Enter roundabout onto CTH MM
118 ft·2 sec·County Road MM
6
Continue on CTH MM
338 ft·8 sec·County Road MM
7
Enter roundabout
239 ft·13 sec
Toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate
8
Continue
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate
9
Merge onto US 14
5.6 mi·6 min·US 14
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 14
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 14
Exit 132A-BToward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 132AToward US 12 East, US 18 East
12
Merge onto US 12; US 18
5.8 mi·7 min·West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 267BToward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin DellsUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 39; I 90
3.1 mi·3 min·I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 138AToward I 94 East: Milwaukee
16
Merge onto WI 30
0.2 mi·11 sec·WI 30
17
Merge onto I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
20
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
22
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi·1 min·US 45
Exit 4Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
24
Take the exit onto US 45
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 45
Exit 60Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
1.3 mi·2 min·US 45
Toward WI 100 South, US 45 SouthUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto WI 24
45 ft·1 sec·West Janesville Road
27
Arrive at destination
WI 24
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops, as the 1 hour and 51-minute duration is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because the route relies so heavily on I-94, traffic conditions on that specific interstate will have the biggest impact on your arrival time. If you want to avoid peak congestion, try to time your departure to miss typical commuter rush hours. With only $14 budgeted for fuel, you can afford to be spontaneous with your schedule without worrying about high transit costs.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.3 miles from Fitchburg, WI, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.3 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hales Corners, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fitchburg, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fitchburg, WI
This is one driving day of about 92.6 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Fitchburg, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 63.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 91.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
11.3 mi into trip|~15m in|US 14
Take the exit onto US 14 toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 132A-B
Toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
8
17.6 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 267B
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wiscon...
8
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
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, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
86 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
8
91.2 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
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 60
Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.48 one way
$28.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.90
$31.79
premium
$4.89
$17.82
$35.64
diesel
$5.61
$20.44
$40.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.8
0
$9.72
$4.44
Efficient EV
23.2
0
$8.10
$3.70
EV Truck/SUV
37
0
$12.96
$5.93
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fitchburg, WI
Late night
in Fitchburg on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hales Corners, WI
Late night
in Hales Corners on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Watertown, WI
46 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
18 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 heavily highway-focused, with 84% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, as the route features a significant 63.3-mile stretch along I-94. The transition from the West Beltline Highway and US 14 onto the interstate defines the character of this trip, moving you quickly through the region. Because the majority of the miles are logged on major thoroughfares, you can expect a consistent, high-speed experience rather than the stop-and-go nature of local surface streets. It is the kind of drive where you can settle into a cruise-control pace for the bulk of your time on the road.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and West Beltline Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in near US 14.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 92.6 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles (US 14): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,020 ft752 ft
Total Climb
352 ft
Total Descent
586 ft
Highest Point
1,020 ft
~69.5 mi in
Elevation Range
268 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fitchburg, WI and Hales Corners, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Dells and Fond Du Lac.
Wisconsin Dells
17.6 mi in|~24m
Fond Du Lac
85.4 mi in|~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 92.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hales Corners, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles (US 14): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hales Corners, WI before heading back.
