Origin
Fitchburg, WI
Late night in Fitchburg on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fitchburg, WI to Monona, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
25m
Distance
16.8 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fitchburg, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Monona, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit between Fitchburg and Monona, Wisconsin, you will find this 16.8-mile journey straightforward and efficient. Covering the distance in roughly 25 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend about $3 on fuel, making it a very economical commute within the Midwest. Since the entire route stays within Wisconsin, you will not need to worry about regional transitions or overnight lodging. It serves as a practical connection for those moving between these two areas, offering a reliable path that avoids unnecessary complexity.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 14 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| County Highway M | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| West Beltline Highway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Monona Drive | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Nichols Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Wendt Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| CTH MM | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| County Road MM | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 14
— 5.7 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fitchburg, WI and Monona, 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-B
Toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 132A
Toward US 12 East, US 18 East
12
Merge onto US 12; US 18
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 265
Toward CTH BB: Monona Drive
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Monona Drive
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Monona Drive
15
Turn left onto Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Nichols Road
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Nichols Road
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 16.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Enter roundabout toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alte...
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
7
11.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12 East, US 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 132A
Toward US 12 East, US 18 East
7
14.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward CTH BB: Monona Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward CTH BB: Monona Drive
6
16.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
Nichols Road
Turn left onto Nichols Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.63 one way
$5.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.88 | $5.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.23 | $6.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.71 | $7.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.47 | $0.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Monona, WI
Late night in Monona on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 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
25m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This 16.8-mile drive offers a mixed-road profile, alternating between local routes and faster highway segments. You will spend about 34% of your time on highways like the West Beltline, while other portions utilize US 14 and County Highway M. Expect a bit of variety in your pace, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring on US 14 for 5.7 miles. The transition from local roads to the highway gives the drive a shifting personality, moving you from suburban-style pacing to higher-speed travel. Overall, it provides a balanced experience that keeps you engaged without the monotony of a long interstate grind.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 5.7 mi on US 14.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 16.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 25m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,021 ft
845 ft
Total Climb
234 ft
Total Descent
367 ft
Highest Point
1,021 ft
~0.7 mi in
Elevation Range
175 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 25m. Total distance: 16.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 5.7 miles on US 14. 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 Monona, 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 5.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monona, WI before heading back.
How this page is built
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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