Milwaukee, WI to Port Edwards, WI is 177.7 miles and takes about 3h 26m via I-39, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region of Milwaukee to the Midwest region of Port Edwards. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip. It's a single-day drive, so you can leave when you're ready and still arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.9 miles from Milwaukee, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East-West Freeway
70.9 mi
1h 19m
I 39
52.2 mi
55m
I 94
29.1 mi
31m
State Highway 73
9.4 mi
14m
Adams Avenue
7.3 mi
10m
WI 73
4.2 mi
6m
Prospect Avenue
2.1 mi
3m
Letendre Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 19m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 116 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,875 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,460
Quietest
2 AM
~221 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee, WI and Port Edwards, WI.
1
Start on US 18; WI 32
45 ft·8 sec·North Milwaukee Street
2
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·East Wisconsin Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·North Jackson Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 794 WestUse the straight / slight right / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 794
0.2 mi·21 sec·East-West Freeway
6
Continue on I 794
17 mi·21 min·East-West Freeway
Exit 1AToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 39
Exit 108A; 108BToward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, WausauUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 39
52 mi·55 min·I 39
Exit 108BToward I 39 North: Portage, Wausau
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward WI 73: Plainfield, Wisconsin Rapids
12
Keep slight left at fork
144 ft·3 sec
13
Turn left onto WI 73
3.7 mi·5 min·State Highway 73
14
Continue on Adams Avenue
7.3 mi·10 min·Adams Avenue
15
Continue on State Highway 73
5.7 mi·8 min·State Highway 73
16
Continue on Mill Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·Mill Avenue
17
Continue on WI 73
4.2 mi·6 min·WI 73
18
At end of road, turn right onto WI 73
2.1 mi·3 min·Prospect Avenue
19
Continue on WI 54; WI 73
1.0 mi·1 min·Letendre Avenue
20
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·5th Street
21
Arrive at destination
5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 26 minutes, this is an easy same-day trip. Consider leaving Milwaukee in the morning to maximize your time in Port Edwards. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, plan your fill-ups accordingly. The longest stretch is over 70 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. There's one recommended stop, which should be ample for a break on this route.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.9 miles from Milwaukee, WI, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Edwards, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI
This is one driving day of about 177.7 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Milwaukee, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 70.9 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 100.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Jackson Street
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 794 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right / right lanes.
Toward I 794 West
6
18 mi into trip|~23m in|I 94 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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...
9
100.6 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39 toward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Portage, Wausau
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 108A; 108B
Toward WI 78 South, I 39 North: Merrimac, Porta...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.54 one way
$59.09 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$32.18
$64.36
premium
$5.18
$36.26
$72.52
diesel
$5.35
$37.43
$74.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.55
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 May 26, 2026
Origin
Milwaukee, WI
Afternoon
in Milwaukee on Wednesday
Local time
3:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Port Edwards, WI
Afternoon
in Port Edwards on Wednesday
Local time
3:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 7 mph27% chanceLive forecast
86°F
Leeds, WI
89 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
5 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
3h 26m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 141
Park Closure: Devil’s Lake Segment — Balanced Rock Trail Closed May 4–8
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 93% of this drive, covering 177.7 miles. The longest stretch without exiting will be 70.9 miles on East-West Freeway. Expect to spend most of your time on I-39 and I-94. The highway transitions to surface roads towards the end of your trip.
93% 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: 70.9 mi on East-West Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 39. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Jackson Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 177.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (North Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,102 ft615 ft
Total Climb
915 ft
Total Descent
555 ft
Highest Point
1,102 ft
~152.3 mi in
Elevation Range
487 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Milwaukee, WI and Port Edwards, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Portage, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids.
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.
Top landmarks
•Milwaukee Art Museum — art museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
•Milwaukee City Hall — municipal office in E. Wells St. Milwaukee, United States
•Basilica of St. Josaphat — church building in Milwaukee, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 177.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m 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 70.9 miles on East-West Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Port Edwards, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Jackson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Port Edwards, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
