Connecting Franklin to Sauk City, this 103.5-mile journey is an ideal candidate for a straightforward day trip. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable trek for those looking to traverse this corner of the Midwest. With a fuel budget of roughly $16, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since the entire route is contained within Wisconsin, you will stay within familiar regional territory throughout the drive. Because of the relatively short duration, there is no need to split this into an overnight excursion. It serves as a practical, direct link between these two communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.8 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
US 12
10.9 mi
15m
I 94
6.9 mi
7m
State Highway 19
6.9 mi
9m
South Lovers Lane Road
4.4 mi
8m
Zoo Freeway
3.7 mi
5m
WI 19
2.4 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 Sauk City, 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
Continue on WI 19; CTH CV
1.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 19
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 19
124 ft·7 sec·WI 19
20
Continue on WI 19
2.4 mi·3 min·WI 19
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 113
123 ft·6 sec·State Highway 19
22
Continue on WI 113
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 19
23
Continue on WI 19; WI 113
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 19
116 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
25
Continue on WI 19
0.7 mi·1 min·West Main Street
26
Continue on WI 19
4.1 mi·5 min·State Highway 19
27
Turn right onto US 12; WI 19
11 mi·15 min·US 12; WI 19
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
WI 60; WI 78; US 12 Business
Trip Plan
Given the duration of 2 hours and 8 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. Because this route involves significant local road travel, it is wise to keep your eyes sharp for changing speed limits and intersection turns as you transition between roads. You should not need to plan for dedicated rest stops given the length, but having your $16 fuel budget ready before you head out will keep your logistics simple. If you prefer to avoid heavier traffic, consider leaving during off-peak morning or afternoon hours to maintain a steady pace. Focus your attention on the transition points between Saint Martins Road and Lovers Lane to ensure you stay on track throughout the 103.5-mile journey.
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 51.8 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 1h 3m 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.8 miles or 1h 3m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sauk City, 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 103.5 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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 19
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
$16.18 one way
$32.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.77
$35.53
premium
$4.89
$19.92
$39.84
diesel
$5.61
$22.85
$45.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31
0
$10.87
$4.97
Efficient EV
25.9
0
$9.06
$4.14
EV Truck/SUV
41.4
0
$14.49
$6.62
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 19, 2026
Origin
Franklin, WI
Late night
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sauk City, WI
Late night
in Sauk City on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
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
13 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 8m 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?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will utilize West Saint Martins Road, South Lovers Lane Road, and I-43 North, the route maintains a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating local roads. This configuration gives the drive a distinctly technical feel, requiring frequent adjustments behind the wheel as you navigate the turns. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of straight highway here, so plan for a more active driving experience from start to finish. The character of the road remains consistent, favoring local navigation over high-speed transit.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 US 12. 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
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 19 significant decision points across 103.5 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 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.
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 Sauk City, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee, Eau Claire and Sun Prairie.
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
Sun Prairie
81.2 mi in|~1h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 103.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 Sauk City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 Sauk City, WI before heading back.
