Spanning 135.9 miles, this drive from Franklin to Algoma is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $18 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable regional getaway. The route connects two points within the Midwest, keeping you firmly in the Wisconsin landscape for the duration of your travel. Whether you are heading out for a weekend change of pace or a quick visit, the manageable timeframe makes this a highly practical route for most drivers. It is a reliable option if you prefer to spend less time behind the wheel and more time at your final destination.
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
68 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
56.4 mi
1h
State Highway 42
28.2 mi
41m
North-South Freeway
26.5 mi
33m
West Loomis Road
6.2 mi
10m
Memorial Drive
4.6 mi
7m
Calumet Avenue
2 mi
3m
Lincoln Avenue
2 mi
2m
Milwaukee Street
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 56.4 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Algoma, WI.
1
Start on this road
141 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
80 ft·10 sec
3
Turn right onto WI 36
6.2 mi·10 min·West Loomis Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 43 North, I 894 East, I 41 SouthUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
0.8 mi·1 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 43
1.1 mi·1 min·I 43
Exit 10AToward I 43, I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 94
27 mi·33 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 43; WI 57
55 mi·59 min·I 43; WI 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 149Toward US 151, WI 42 Business, LMCT: Manitowoc, Fond du Lac
10
Keep slight right at fork
169 ft·4 sec
11
Turn straight onto WI 42
2.0 mi·3 min·Calumet Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on WI 42
0.2 mi·27 sec·Washington Street
13
Turn left onto South 21st Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South 21st Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Revere Drive
0.4 mi·38 sec·Revere Drive
15
Continue on CTH Q
0.4 mi·51 sec·North 18th Street
16
Turn right onto US 10
1.3 mi·3 min·Waldo Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Enter roundabout onto Memorial Drive
130 ft·7 sec·Memorial Drive
18
Continue on Memorial Drive
4.6 mi·6 min·Memorial Drive
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on WI 42
0.7 mi·1 min·Washington Street
20
Turn right onto WI 42
0.4 mi·43 sec·22nd Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto WI 42
2.0 mi·2 min·Lincoln Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on WI 42
19 mi·28 min·State Highway 42
23
Continue on WI 42
1.9 mi·2 min·Milwaukee Street
24
Continue on WI 42
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
25
Continue on WI 42
9.0 mi·13 min·State Highway 42
26
Continue on WI 42
1.2 mi·1 min·Lake Street
27
Keep slight right at fork onto Lake Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Lake Street
28
Continue on Lake Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Lake Street
29
At end of road, turn right onto Steele Street
189 ft·11 sec·Steele Street
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 58 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. Since the trip involves only one recommended stop, you can easily pace the drive to suit your schedule without feeling rushed. Keep in mind that the route is turn-heavy, so ensuring your GPS is clear and your navigation is set before leaving Franklin will save you from unnecessary stress on local roads. With a fuel budget of $18, it is wise to check your levels before heading out to avoid stopping for gas in busier, high-traffic areas. Because this is a relatively short trip, taking that single planned break midway will help you stay refreshed for the more technical, turn-filled portions of the road.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 1h 23m 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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algoma, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin, 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 Franklin, WI
This is one driving day of about 135.9 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Franklin, 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 43 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 92.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|WI 36 / West Loomis Road
Turn right onto WI 36 / West Loomis Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
6.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 43 North, I 894 East, I 41 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 43 North, I 894 East, I 41 South
9
7.3 mi into trip|~12m in|I 43
Keep slight right at fork onto I 43 toward I 43, I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10A
Toward I 43, I 94: Milwaukee
6
90.2 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 151, WI 42 Business, LMCT: Manitowoc, Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 149
Toward US 151, WI 42 Business, LMCT: Manitowoc,...
6
92.8 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|South 21st Street
Turn left onto South 21st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.25 one way
$42.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.33
$46.66
premium
$4.89
$26.15
$52.31
diesel
$5.61
$30.01
$60.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.8
0
$14.27
$6.52
Efficient EV
34
0
$11.89
$5.44
EV Truck/SUV
54.4
0
$19.03
$8.70
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Franklin, WI
Night
in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Algoma, WI
Night
in Algoma on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
2h 58m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While your path includes segments of I-43 North, the Airport Freeway, and West Loomis Road, the route relies heavily on local navigation rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. In fact, there is no single long stretch on West Loomis Road, meaning you will be navigating frequent transitions throughout the 135.9-mile trek. The road's personality is defined by these constant changes, shifting from faster freeway sections to more technical local roads as you progress. You should be prepared for a drive that requires active steering and constant adjustments, as the lack of long highway segments keeps the pace varied and engaging.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.4 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and State Highway 42. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 36 / West Loomis Road.
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 17 significant decision points across 135.9 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: near the start (WI 36 / West Loomis Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles (I 43): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, WI and Algoma, WI, road signs point toward Lmct: Manitowoc and Fond Du Lac.
Lmct: Manitowoc
90.2 mi in|~1h 47m
Fond Du Lac
90.2 mi in|~1h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 135.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.4 miles on I 43. 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 Algoma, 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: near the start (WI 36 / West Loomis Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles (I 43): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Algoma, WI before heading back.
