Origin
Franklin, WI
Night in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, WI to Burke, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
76.4 mi
123 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 26m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Burke, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Franklin, WI to Burke, WI is 76.4 miles and takes about 1h 33m via East-West Freeway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. Given its short duration and highway-focused nature, it's ideal for a same-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained freeways, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this route if you need a quick and simple transit between these two locations without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.2 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 59.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| South Lovers Lane Road | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| Zoo Freeway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| County Road TT | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Reiner Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 45 | 1 mi | 2m |
| County Highway T | 1 mi | 1m |
| Burke Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Burke, WI.
1
Start on this road
141 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
89 ft
·
8 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 45
384 ft
·
16 sec
·
US 45
4
Turn left onto US 45; WI 100
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Saint Martins Road
5
Continue on US 45; WI 100
4.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Lovers Lane Road
6
Take the ramp onto US 45
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 45
Toward I 43 North, US 45 North
7
Merge onto I 43; US 45
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Rock Freeway
8
Take the exit onto US 45
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 45
Exit 61
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
9
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
13
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
49 mi
·
52 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 244
Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
County Highway N
17
Continue on CTH N
492 ft
·
8 sec
·
County Highway N
18
Enter roundabout onto CTH TT
170 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Road TT
19
Continue on CTH TT
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road TT
20
Continue on CTH T
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway T
21
Turn right onto Reiner Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Reiner Road
22
Turn left onto Burke Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Burke Road
23
Arrive at destination
Burke Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of about 1 hour and 33 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving anytime during daylight hours is perfectly fine, and you won't need to plan for overnight stays. With only 76.4 miles to cover, there's no pressing need to stop for extended breaks, though you can certainly pull over if you wish. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is only $12, but it's always wise to be prepared. A good tip is to ensure you have enough gas before starting, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 60 miles.
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 38.2 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.2 miles or 48m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burke, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Franklin, WI
This is one driving day of about 76.4 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Franklin, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 59.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.2 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 70 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fon...
8
9.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
9.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
6
20.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 94 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
70 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
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 244
Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.94 one way
$23.89 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.11 | $26.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.70 | $29.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.87 | $33.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.02 | $3.67 |
| Efficient EV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.69 | $3.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.70 | $4.89 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Burke, WI
Night in Burke on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
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
1h 33m 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 route is heavily highway-focused, with 84% of the journey taking place on freeways. Expect a consistent driving experience for long stretches, including a segment of 59.5 miles on the East-West Freeway without major interruptions. The primary roads involved, including the East-West Freeway, South Lovers Lane Road, and Zoo Freeway, suggest a predominantly fast-paced drive. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery or winding roads. You'll likely experience a smooth ride with minimal slowdowns.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.5 mi on East-West Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and South Lovers Lane Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near US 45.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 5.3 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Burke, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee, Cth N: Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove.
Madison
5.3 mi in
|
~10m
|
via US 45
Milwaukee
9.6 mi in
|
~16m
Cth N: Sun Prairie
70 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Cottage Grove
70 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 76.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m 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 59.5 miles on East-West Freeway. 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 Burke, 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 (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burke, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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