Origin
Markesan, WI
Late night in Markesan on Tuesday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Markesan, WI to Milwaukee, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
88.4 mi
142 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markesan, WI
Ronin .
Milwaukee, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 88.4-mile drive from Markesan, WI to Milwaukee, WI takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes, making it a convenient one-day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-41, with portions on State Highway 49 and County Road AW, offering a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this drive is budget-friendly for a quick getaway or a practical commute. You'll experience a highway-focused profile for most of the way, so plan for efficient travel with minimal need for overnight stays. Consider this an easy option for a day trip within Wisconsin.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Markesan, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 47.3 mi | 53m |
| State Highway 49 | 12.2 mi | 18m |
| County Road AW | 9.2 mi | 16m |
| East-West Freeway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| County Road A | 4.6 mi | 11m |
| Main Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| County Road S | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 47.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markesan, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
1
Start on CTH S
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West John Street
2
Continue on CTH S
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road S
3
At end of road, turn right onto CTH A
4.6 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road A
4
At end of road, turn left onto CTH AW
9.2 mi
·
16 min
·
County Road AW
5
At end of road, turn right onto WI 49
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
State Highway 49
6
Continue on WI 49
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
7
Continue on WI 49
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 49
8
Continue on Main Street
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
9
Continue on State Highway 49
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 49
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
11
Merge onto I 41; US 41
47 mi
·
53 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 38A-B
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 94
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East-West Freeway
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
18
Turn slight right
309 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Jackson Street South
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Saint Paul Avenue
20
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Milwaukee Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour duration and 88.4-mile distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Leaving Markesan in the morning will allow you to arrive in Milwaukee with ample time to enjoy your destination. While the longest stretch without a major road change is over 47 miles, it's still wise to take short breaks as needed, especially if you're not accustomed to highway driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the estimated $14 cost suggests minimal stops will be required. A practical tip for this route: be mindful of the transition from State Highway 49 to County Road AW, as this is where the driving character shifts most noticeably.
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 44.2 miles from Markesan, WI, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 1h 12m 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 47m
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 Markesan, 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 Markesan, WI
This is one driving day of about 88.4 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Markesan, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.2 miles from Markesan, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 80.8 and 87.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
80.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
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 38A-B
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
9
81.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwauk...
6
81.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
86.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m 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
87.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
$13.82 one way
$27.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.17 | $30.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.01 | $34.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.52 | $39.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
| Efficient EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.38 | $5.66 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Milwaukee, WI
Late night in Milwaukee on Tuesday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Addison, WI
44 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
16 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
2h 6m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 74% of the journey on faster roads like I-41. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.3 miles on I-41, allowing for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. While much of the route is on major highways, you'll also navigate through sections of State Highway 49 and County Road AW, which may offer a slight change in scenery and pace. This mix provides a balanced driving experience, leaning heavily towards efficient travel on well-maintained roads.
74% 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: 47.3 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 88.4 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 80.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Markesan, WI to Milwaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
80.8 mi in
|
~1h 53m
About the Cities
Arriving in Milwaukee, WI
Full guide →Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin, United States. The city celebrates its heritage as a major center for beer-brewing, and of it German and Polish communities. It is now known for its many festivals. The city's population is about 600,000 with about 1.6 million in the metropolitan area (2019). It is in the southeastern portion of the state on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 88.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 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 Milwaukee, 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 80.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.7 miles: 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.
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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