Fitchburg, WI to Whitefish Bay, WI is 211.9 miles and takes about 4h 22m via I 41, US 151, and WI 54, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. You'll cover a significant distance without much fuss, so it's ideal if you want to get to your destination efficiently.
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
106 miles from Fitchburg, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
56.4 mi
1h
US 151
50 mi
56m
WI 54
33.4 mi
38m
State Highway 26
21 mi
29m
State Highway 42/57
10.7 mi
16m
West Beltline Highway
5.8 mi
7m
US 14
5.7 mi
6m
I 39
5.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 56.4 mi, about 1h
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 140 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,294 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~134 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
24.6×
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 Fitchburg, WI and Whitefish Bay, 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
5.1 mi·5 min·I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 135C-B-AToward US 151: Madison, Sun PrairieUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 151 North: Sun PrairieUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 135BToward US 151 North: Sun PrairieUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 151
50 mi·56 min·US 151
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WI 26 North: Rosendale
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
21
Turn left onto State Highway 26
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 26
22
Continue on WI 26
1.0 mi·2 min·South Main Street
23
Continue on WI 26
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 26
24
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-41_North: Appleton, Green_Bay
25
Merge onto I 41; US 41
56 mi·1 hr·I 41; US 41
Toward AppletonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 43 South, US 141 South: Milwaukee
27
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 170BToward I 43 South: Milwaukee
28
Continue on I 43
4.7 mi·5 min·I 43
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward WI 54, WI 57, LMCT: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
31
Merge onto WI 54; WI 57
33 mi·38 min·WI 54; WI 57
Toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
32
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
8.2 mi·12 min·State Highway 42/57
Use the straight lane.
33
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
106 ft·1 sec·State Highway 42/57
34
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.3 mi·2 min·State Highway 42/57
35
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
102 ft·2 sec·State Highway 42/57
36
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 42/57
37
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
0.1 mi·9 sec·Egg Harbor Road
38
Turn slight right onto WI 57
4.9 mi·7 min·WI 57
39
Turn right onto CTH T
2.4 mi·6 min·Whitefish Bay Road
40
Turn slight left
15 ft·1 sec
41
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 22m duration, you can easily complete this drive in one day. Aim for an early start to maximize daylight and avoid any potential rush hour traffic as you approach your destination. With only one recommended stop, the 56.4-mile stretch on I 41 is a good place to plan for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, as services might be spaced out. Plan your fuel stops strategically to stay within your estimated $32 budget.
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 106 miles from Fitchburg, WI, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.4 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106 miles or 2h 12m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitefish Bay, 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 211.9 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 41 for about 56.4 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 24 — 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
23.5 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward US 151: Madison, Sun Prairie
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 135C-B-A
Toward US 151: Madison, Sun Prairie
8
23.8 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 151 North: Sun Prairie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 151 North: Sun Prairie
8
24 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 151 North: Sun Prairie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 135B
Toward US 151 North: Sun Prairie
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.29 one way
$62.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.55
$69.09
premium
$4.72
$39.34
$78.69
diesel
$4.80
$40.01
$80.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.6
0
$22.25
$10.17
Efficient EV
53
0
$18.54
$8.48
EV Truck/SUV
84.8
1
$29.67
$13.56
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fitchburg, WI
Late night
in Fitchburg on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Areas Of Smoke
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Whitefish Bay, WI
Late night
in Whitefish Bay on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 12:48PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
84°F
Kiel, WI
106 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
1 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
4h 22m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 91% of the total distance on major roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 56.4 miles on I 41. You'll experience mostly highway cruising, with plenty of exits and merges as you navigate between I 41, US 151, and WI 54. Surface roads will make up about 19.7 miles of your drive, likely encountered as you enter and exit cities.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 151. 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
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 26 significant decision points across 211.9 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 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 23.5 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
1,013 ft592 ft
Total Climb
379 ft
Total Descent
800 ft
Highest Point
1,013 ft
Elevation Range
421 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 Whitefish Bay, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Dells, Sun Prairie, Green_Bay, Appleton, Lmct: Sturgeon Bay and Algoma.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 211.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Whitefish Bay, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 23.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Whitefish Bay, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
