If you are planning a trip from Franklin to De Forest, you are looking at an efficient 85.3-mile journey across Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 42 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $13, the trip remains very affordable for solo travelers or families. You will primarily utilize the East-West Freeway and I-94, which keeps the travel time predictable. Because the entire route stays within the Midwest, you can anticipate familiar terrain throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trip that does not require an overnight split, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy your destination once you arrive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.6 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
I 94
6.9 mi
7m
South Lovers Lane Road
4.4 mi
8m
Zoo Freeway
3.7 mi
5m
Lake Road
3 mi
5m
US 45
1 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Rock Freeway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 63.8 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and De Forest, 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
3.7 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1B-AToward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·56 sec
Exit 1BToward I 94 West: MadisonUse 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
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
6.9 mi·7 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 131Toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun PrairieUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
452 ft·13 sec
Toward WI 19 West: WaunakeeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·20 sec
19
Turn slight right onto CTH CV
3.0 mi·5 min·Lake Road
20
Continue on CTH CV
0.6 mi·1 min·South Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
CTH CV
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility for your departure. Leaving mid-morning is often a wise choice to avoid the peak congestion typical of major freeways like I-94. Because there are no designated stops programmed into this 1 hour and 42 minute drive, you can easily pace the trip to your own comfort level. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the East-West Freeway, as that 63.8-mile stretch is where you will spend the vast majority of your travel time. Having $13 set aside for fuel should cover your needs, but having a little extra on hand is always a smart practice for any regional Wisconsin road trip.
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 42.6 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 miles or 53m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Forest, 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 85.3 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 63.8 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 9.6 and 81.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
9
74.3 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
8
81.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward WI 19: Waunakee, 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 131
Toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
8
81.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WI 19 West: Waunakee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward WI 19 West: Waunakee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.34 one way
$26.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.64
$29.28
premium
$4.89
$16.42
$32.83
diesel
$5.61
$18.83
$37.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.6
0
$8.96
$4.09
Efficient EV
21.3
0
$7.46
$3.41
EV Truck/SUV
34.1
0
$11.94
$5.46
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
De Forest, WI
Night
in De Forest on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m 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?
This 85.3-mile route is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find that the experience is dominated by an interstate grind, specifically during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.8 miles on the East-West Freeway. While you start your journey utilizing South Lovers Lane Road, the transition to I-94 quickly shifts the pace to a consistent, high-speed cruise. The road’s personality is defined by utility and efficiency rather than winding backroads or technical turns. Expect a steady, predictable flow of traffic as you navigate these primary arteries between Franklin and De Forest.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.8 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 I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 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; at 74.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
999 ft746 ft
Total Climb
369 ft
Total Descent
298 ft
Highest Point
999 ft
~74.6 mi in
Elevation Range
253 ft
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 De Forest, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee and Eau Claire.
Madison
5.3 mi in|~10m|via US 45
Milwaukee
9.6 mi in|~16m
Eau Claire
74.3 mi in|~1h 27m|via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 85.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.8 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 De Forest, 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 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; at 74.3 miles (I 94): 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 De Forest, WI before heading back.
