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Trip from Franklin, WI to Fitchburg, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 56m

Distance

96 mi

155 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 48m ★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Franklin, WI, WI

Franklin, WI

Tom Fisk

city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States

Fitchburg, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Franklin, WI to Fitchburg, WI is 96 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via East-West Freeway, South Park Street, and South Beltline Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, making it a straightforward journey. Given its relatively short distance and highway-focused profile, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. You can expect a consistent driving experience with minimal detours needed to reach your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48 miles from Franklin, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East-West Freeway 63.8 mi 1h 9m
South Park Street 6.2 mi 7m
South Beltline Highway 5.3 mi 7m
County Highway M 4.8 mi 6m
South Lovers Lane Road 4.4 mi 8m
Zoo Freeway 3.7 mi 5m
I 39 3.2 mi 3m
US 45 1 mi 2m
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 Fitchburg, 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

54 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30

0.2 mi · 15 sec · WI 30
Exit 240 Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Exit 240A Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville Use the slight left lane.
17

Merge onto I 39; I 90

3.2 mi · 3 min · I 39; I 90
18

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 142A Toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
19

Merge onto US 12; US 18

5.3 mi · 7 min · South Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 261 Toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, Oregon Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork

140 ft · 5 sec
Toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate South, US 14 East: Fitchburg, Oregon Use the left lane.
22

Turn left onto US 14

6.2 mi · 7 min · South Park Street
Use the straight lane.
23

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward CTH MM: Oregon
24

Keep slight right at fork

485 ft · 11 sec
Toward CTH MM, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate: Oregon
25

Turn straight onto CTH MM

494 ft · 11 sec · County Road MM
26

Turn slight right onto CTH MM

41 ft · 0 sec · CTH MM
27

Turn slight right onto CTH M

4.8 mi · 6 min · County Highway M
28

Turn right onto Wendt Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Wendt Road
29

Arrive at destination

Wendt Road

Trip Plan

With a total duration of under two hours and a fuel cost estimated at $15, this is a very manageable same-day trip. You have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but leaving in the morning will allow ample time to settle in upon arrival. No specific stops are noted, so you can push through or pull over as needed. Given the longest stretch is 63.8 miles on the East-West Freeway, plan for a single fuel stop if your vehicle's range is limited, though it's unlikely to be necessary for this short distance.

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 48 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 59m 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 21 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48 miles or 59m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fitchburg, 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 96 miles and 1h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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.

Downtown Farmington, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Farmington, WI

48 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

Waukesha, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farmington, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.3

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.3

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.9

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Birch & Banyan Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 27.4

Hartland, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+12625631034

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 6.9

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 9.6 and 84.4 — 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
74.5 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Take the exit toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 240A Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
8
84.2 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, Oregon

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 261 Toward US 151 North, US 14 East: Park Street, O...
9
84.4 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate South, US 14 East: Fitchburg, Oregon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US 18 Alternate West, US 151 Alternate S...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.01 one way

$30.02 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.48 $32.96
premium $4.89 $18.47 $36.95
diesel $5.61 $21.20 $42.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.8 0 $10.08 $4.61
Efficient EV 24 0 $8.40 $3.84
EV Truck/SUV 38.4 0 $13.44 $6.14

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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

9:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fitchburg, WI

Night in Fitchburg on Saturday

Local time

9:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Farmington, WI

48 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

19 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 56m 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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the journey on main roads like the East-West Freeway and South Beltline Highway. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced driving, including a significant 63.8-mile segment on the East-West Freeway. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, the inclusion of roads like South Park Street indicates a potential for more localized traffic as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent feel for much of the trip, allowing for efficient travel.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 South Park Street. 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 Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96 miles you will encounter 23 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 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Fitchburg, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee, Oregon, Cth Mm: Oregon and Cth.

Madison

5.3 mi in | ~10m | via US 45

Milwaukee

9.6 mi in | ~16m

Oregon

84.2 mi in | ~1h 40m

Cth Mm: Oregon

90.6 mi in | ~1h 47m

Cth

90.7 mi in | ~1h 48m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 96 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). 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 Fitchburg, 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 74.5 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 Fitchburg, 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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