Fitchburg, WI to New Richmond, WI is 252.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m via I 94, I 90, US Highway 12 & State Highway 60, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 94% of the drive on highways, expect a relatively fast pace for most of the 252.2 miles. Plan for a single day of travel, as the drive can be completed in under five hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.1 miles from Fitchburg, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
136.6 mi
2h 26m
I 90
46.9 mi
50m
US Highway 12 & State Highway 60
22.1 mi
28m
US 12
15.7 mi
22m
State Highway 65
9.9 mi
14m
West Beltline Highway
9.1 mi
12m
US 18
5.3 mi
7m
County Highway M
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,187 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,894
Quietest
2 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Fitchburg, WI and New Richmond, WI.
1
Start on Wendt Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Wendt Road
2
Turn right onto CTH M
2.3 mi·3 min·County Highway M
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight right
275 ft·12 sec
4
Turn straight onto CTH PB
0.2 mi·24 sec·County Highway PB
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
6
Merge onto US 18; US 151
5.3 mi·7 min·US 18; US 151
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
8
Merge onto US 12; US 14
9.1 mi·12 min·West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 12
16 mi·22 min·US 12
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 12; WI 60
22 mi·28 min·US Highway 12 & State Highway 60
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West: La Crosse, Eau Claire
12
Merge onto I 90; I 94
47 mi·50 min·I 90; I 94
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
137 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto Exit 10
0.3 mi·32 sec·Exit 10
Exit 10Toward WI 65: River Falls, New Richmond
15
Keep slight right at fork
257 ft·6 sec
Toward WI 65 NORTH
16
Turn straight onto WI 65
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
Toward Roberts, New Richmond
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
114 ft·6 sec·State Highway 65
18
Continue on WI 65
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto US 12; WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·US-12 & WI-65
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
204 ft·11 sec·State Highway 65
21
Continue on WI 65
5.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 65
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
139 ft·2 sec·State Highway 65
23
Continue on WI 65
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 65
24
Continue on WI 65
0.2 mi·28 sec·State Highway 65
25
Continue on WI 65
1.3 mi·3 min·South Knowles Avenue
26
Turn right onto CTH K
259 ft·8 sec·East 1st Street
27
Arrive at destination
CTH K
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 55m drive, consider an early morning departure from Fitchburg to avoid potential rush hour traffic around Madison. The 252.2-mile route has a fuel cost estimated around $40, so ensure your tank is full before you leave. With the longest stretch on I 94 being 136.6 miles, plan a brief stop around the halfway point for a stretch or a quick bite. Since the total driving time is under five hours, you have flexibility to stop as needed without feeling rushed.
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 126.1 miles from Fitchburg, WI, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 55 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.1 miles or 2h 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 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Richmond, 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.
+
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 Fitchburg, WI
This is one driving day of about 252.2 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Fitchburg, 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 94 for about 136.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 126.1 miles from Fitchburg, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 136.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 239.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|CTH M / County Highway M
Turn right onto CTH M / County Highway M
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
8
103 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
239.6 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|Exit 10
Take the exit onto Exit 10 toward WI 65: River Falls, New Richmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward WI 65: River Falls, New Richmond
6
239.9 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 65 NORTH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward WI 65 NORTH
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.10 one way
$78.20 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$42.87
$85.75
premium
$4.93
$48.93
$97.86
diesel
$5.60
$55.59
$111.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.7
0
$26.48
$12.11
Efficient EV
63.1
0
$22.07
$10.09
EV Truck/SUV
100.9
1
$35.31
$16.14
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Aug 24, 2026
Origin
Fitchburg, WI
Late night
in Fitchburg on Friday
Local time
4:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 24 at 12:40PM CDT until August 25 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
New Richmond, WI
Late night
in New Richmond on Friday
Local time
4:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 24 at 12:40PM CDT until August 25 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
80°F
Wilton, WI
126 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
2 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
4h 55m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 69.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 94% of your 252.2-mile drive on highways, primarily I 94 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 136.6 miles on I 94. You'll transition to surface roads for the remaining miles, likely noticing a significant change in traffic density and speed limits as you exit the interstate system. Expect a good amount of rural cruising once you leave the main interstates.
94% 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: 136.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CTH M / County Highway M.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 252.2 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 0.3 miles (CTH M / County Highway M): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,206 ft822 ft
Total Climb
607 ft
Total Descent
640 ft
Highest Point
1,206 ft
~216.2 mi in
Elevation Range
384 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 New Richmond, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and Saint Paul.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 252.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 New Richmond, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CTH M / County Highway M): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at New Richmond, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
