If you are planning to travel from Lodi to Milwaukee, expect a straightforward 94.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. This route is an efficient highway-focused drive, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Budget roughly $14 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the Midwest region of Wisconsin. Because the drive is relatively short and direct, you won't need to worry about planning an overnight stay. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a quick getaway, the route is designed for speed and convenience rather than leisurely exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.2 miles from Lodi, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
70.7 mi
1h 18m
I 39
17.7 mi
18m
State Highway 60
3.8 mi
5m
East-West Freeway
1 mi
1m
Portage Street
0.4 mi
1m
North Milwaukee Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
South Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lodi, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
1
Start on WI 113
34 ft·5 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto WI 60
0.4 mi·1 min·Portage Street
3
Continue on WI 60
3.8 mi·5 min·State Highway 60
4
Enter roundabout
46 ft·2 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
18 mi·18 min·I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.0 mi·1 min·East-West Freeway
Exit 310CToward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 1EToward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
10
Turn slight right
309 ft·14 sec
Toward Jackson Street SouthUse the right lane.
11
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Saint Paul Avenue
12
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·47 sec·North Milwaukee Street
13
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1-hour and 48-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the drive in one go without needing scheduled stops, as the duration is quite short. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when merging onto I-94, as this will be the longest, most heavily traveled segment of your journey. Since fuel costs are estimated at $14, topping off your tank in Lodi before you head out is a smart way to simplify your travel logistics. Enjoy the freedom of a quick commute that allows you to spend more time at your destination and less time behind the wheel.
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 47.2 miles from Lodi, WI, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.2 miles or 54m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milwaukee, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lodi, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lodi, WI
This is one driving day of about 94.5 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Lodi, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 70.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 93.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
4.5 mi into trip|~7m in|I 39; I 90; I 94
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.2 mi into trip|~26m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
9
92.8 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|I 794 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794 / East-West Freeway toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
6
93.8 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.77 one way
$29.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.22
$32.44
premium
$4.89
$18.19
$36.37
diesel
$5.61
$20.86
$41.73
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: 33.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.92
$4.54
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
EV Truck/SUV
37.8
0
$13.23
$6.05
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Lodi, WI
Night
in Lodi on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Milwaukee, WI
Night
in Milwaukee on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Farmington, WI
47 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
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 48m 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?
You will spend nearly 99% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing a combination of I-94, I-39, and State Highway 60. The experience is defined by efficiency, as the roads are built for consistent speeds rather than winding, technical maneuvers. A significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a 70.7-mile stretch on I-94, which serves as the backbone of your trip. While the transition between these major arteries is seamless, be prepared for a predominantly interstate-focused environment. This isn't a route for scenic detours, but rather a reliable path for reaching your destination with minimal fuss.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 39. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 4.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.5 miles (I 39; I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 94.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.7 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 4.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.5 miles (I 39; I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 94): 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 Milwaukee, WI before heading back.
