This 135.6-mile drive from Franklin, Wisconsin, to Clintonville, Wisconsin, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-41 and US Highway 45, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it ideal for a single-day trip. You'll be spending about 95% of your time on major roadways. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, it's an economical option for a quick excursion within the Midwest. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Wisconsin locations without needing an overnight stay.
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
67.8 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
61.6 mi
1h 6m
Zoo Freeway
24.1 mi
29m
US Highway 45
23.8 mi
33m
US 45
19.2 mi
23m
South Lovers Lane Road
4.4 mi
8m
South Main Street
1.1 mi
2m
Rock Freeway
0.2 mi
<1m
West Saint Martins Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Clintonville, 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 61Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
9
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
24 mi·29 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 45
15 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
2.9 mi·3 min·US 45
Exit 273Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the straight lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto US 45
125 ft·7 sec·US Highway 45
Toward US 45 North: New London
16
Continue on US 45
24 mi·32 min·US Highway 45
Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
1.1 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto 8th Place
107 ft·4 sec·8th Place
19
Arrive at destination
8th Place
Trip Plan
Given its short duration of under three hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the 135.6 miles, perhaps after the longest stretch of 61.6 miles on I-41. The estimated fuel cost of $21 makes it easy to budget for. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between highways, as services might be more spaced out on less traveled segments. Departing earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic, particularly around the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
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 67.8 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.8 miles or 1h 22m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clintonville, 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 135.6 miles and 2h 45m.
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 41 for about 61.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 107.8 — 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
30 mi into trip|~41m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
91.6 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
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.
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 45 North: New London
8
107.8 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 273
Toward US 45 North: New London
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.20 one way
$42.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.28
$46.55
premium
$4.89
$26.09
$52.19
diesel
$5.61
$29.94
$59.88
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: 47.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.7
0
$14.24
$6.51
Efficient EV
33.9
0
$11.86
$5.42
EV Truck/SUV
54.2
0
$18.98
$8.68
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Franklin, WI
Late night
in Franklin on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clintonville, WI
Late night
in Clintonville on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°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
16 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 45m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 95% of the route consisting of major roads like I-41 and US Highway 45. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.6 miles on I-41, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the Zoo Freeway section might offer a brief change of scenery, the overall character is that of efficient travel. This drive is designed for covering distance with minimal interruption, allowing for consistent speeds for the majority of your journey.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.6 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and Zoo Freeway. 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 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 15 significant decision points across 135.6 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 5.3 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.6 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
1,065 ft753 ft
Total Climb
515 ft
Total Descent
502 ft
Highest Point
1,065 ft
~38.7 mi in
Elevation Range
312 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Franklin, WI to Clintonville, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
30 mi in|~41m|via I 41; US 41
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 135.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 41. 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 Clintonville, 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 5.3 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Clintonville, WI before heading back.
