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Trip from Milwaukee, WI to Sanborn, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 6m

Distance

340.7 mi

548 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
6h 56m ★
6 AM
7h 7m
8 AM
7h 29m
10 AM
7h 14m
12 PM
7h 12m
3 PM
7h 15m
5 PM
7h 28m
8 PM
7h 0m

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

city in and county seat of Milwaukee County, and largest city in State of Wisconsin, United States

Milwaukee, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Sanborn, WI, WI

Sanborn, WI

Quang Vuong

Trip Overview

Milwaukee to Sanborn is 340.7 miles and takes about 7h 6m via I 41 and State Highway 13, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a relatively straightforward trip. With only 2 planned stops and a manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

170.3 miles from Milwaukee, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Highway 13 65.2 mi 1h 29m
I 41 61.6 mi 1h 6m
US Highway 10 46.6 mi 54m
US 51 46.5 mi 53m
US 8 32.2 mi 45m
I 39 23.3 mi 25m
Zoo Freeway 19.5 mi 23m
US 45 15.2 mi 17m
Longest stretch: State Highway 13 — 65.2 mi, about 1h 29m

Traffic on I-94

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 58 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

7 AM

~5,644 veh/hr typical

Quietest

2 AM

~352 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

16×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Sanborn, 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 West Use the straight / slight right / right lanes.
5

Merge onto I 794

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East-West Freeway
6

Continue on I 794

5.8 mi · 8 min · East-West Freeway
Exit 1A Toward I 94 West: Madison Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 305A-B Toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Exit 305B Toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45

20 mi · 23 min · Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton Use the slight left lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New London Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto US 45

15 mi · 17 min · US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

47 mi · 54 min · US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
15

Continue on US 10

1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Street
16

Take the exit onto US 10

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
17

Continue on I 39; US 51

23 mi · 25 min · I 39; US 51
18

Merge onto US 51; WI 29

47 mi · 53 min · US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
20

Keep slight left at fork

388 ft · 12 sec
Toward US 8: Prentice
21

Merge onto US 8

32 mi · 45 min · US 8
Use the straight lane.
22

Turn right

0.2 mi · 41 sec
Use the right lane.
23

Turn straight onto WI 13

11 mi · 14 min · State Highway 13
24

Continue on WI 13

2.4 mi · 5 min · South Lake Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25

Continue on WI 13

12 mi · 16 min · State Highway 13
26

Continue on WI 13

0.8 mi · 1 min · Flambeau Avenue
27

Continue on WI 13

2.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 13
28

Continue on WI 13

372 ft · 5 sec · 4th Ave S
29

Continue on WI 13

3.0 mi · 6 min · 4th Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
30

Continue on WI 13

4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 13
31

Continue on WI 13

1.1 mi · 2 min · South 5th Street
32

Continue on WI 13

8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 13
33

Continue on WI 13

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Broadway
34

Continue on WI 13

14 mi · 19 min · State Highway 13
35

Continue on WI 13; WI 77

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
36

Continue on WI 13

12 mi · 17 min · State Highway 13
37

Turn left onto WI 112

3.3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 112
Use the left lane.
38

Turn sharp left onto CTH E

0.7 mi · 1 min · County Road E
39

Arrive at destination

CTH E

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration, leaving Milwaukee in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Sanborn before dark. You'll want to make your two stops strategically, perhaps one for lunch and another for a quick stretch, to break up the 340.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $60, and plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially during the longer 65.2-mile stretches on State Highway 13. This route is manageable in one day, so you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170.3 miles from Milwaukee, WI, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 75 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 170.3 miles or 3h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sanborn, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Milwaukee, WI

This is one driving day of about 340.7 miles and 7h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Milwaukee, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 13 for about 65.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Pine River, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pine River, WI

170 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

Addison, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mosinee, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 170.3 miles from Milwaukee, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before State Highway 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.2 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Lomira Rest Area 63

0.1 mi from route

Theresa Rest Area 64

0.1 mi from route

64

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.7 and 88.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
6.7 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago

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 305A-B Toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago
9
6.9 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 305B Toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
8
26.8 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 41; US 41

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
88.4 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
88.6 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 45 North: New London

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.64 one way

$113.29 round trip

$4.22/gal 25.4 MPG avg 119 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $61.70 $123.40
premium $5.18 $69.52 $139.04
diesel $5.35 $71.76 $143.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 119.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 102.2 1 $35.77 $16.35
Efficient EV 85.2 0 $29.81 $13.63
EV Truck/SUV 136.3 1 $47.70 $21.80

Gas CO2

119 kg

EV CO2

40 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Milwaukee, WI

Afternoon in Milwaukee on Wednesday

Local time

2:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Isolated Rain Showers

0 mph 21% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN

Destination

Sanborn, WI

Afternoon in Sanborn on Wednesday

Local time

2:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Partly Cloudy

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 6m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

North Country National Scenic Trail

North Country National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

Come to the North Country. Trek the hills and valleys. Stand on the shores of lakes & streams from glaciers 10,000 years before. Clear-flowing water, red/gold of autumn, a fairyland of snow, open prai...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 328.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend 96% of this 340.7-mile trip on highways, with the remaining 4% on surface roads. Expect to encounter frequent exits and merging traffic for much of the drive, particularly on I 41. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 65.2 miles on State Highway 13. This means you'll have long periods of consistent cruising before transitioning to local roads.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.2 mi on State Highway 13.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 13 and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 21 significant decision points across 340.7 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 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.8 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,522 ft 615 ft

Total Climb

1,135 ft

Total Descent

911 ft

Highest Point

1,522 ft

~267.7 mi in

Elevation Range

907 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 Sanborn, WI, road signs point toward Appleton and Rhinelander.

Appleton

26.8 mi in | ~35m | via I 41; US 41

Rhinelander

229 mi in | ~4h 23m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Davians at 411 East Wisconsin

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Cuisine: american

Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-14:30

Visit website

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Milwaukee, WI

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-19:00; Su 06:00-14:00

Visit website

Davian's Schlitz Park Café

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Milwaukee

Cuisine: american

Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-15:00

Visit website

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Th 05:00-21:30; Fr,Su 05:00-22:00; Sa...

Visit website

Coffee & Bagels

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: Mo-We,Fr 05:00-18:00; Th 06:00-13:00; Sa...

Visit website

Northcentral Technical College Cafeteria

Cafe

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Carnevor

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Milwaukee

Hours: Mo-We 17:00-22:00; Th-Sa 17:00-23:00; Su...

Visit website

Cubanitas

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Milwaukee

Cuisine: cuban

Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00

Visit website

Subway

Fast_food

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Milwaukee

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-20:00; Sa 08:00-16:00

Visit website

Swingin' Door Exchange

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Milwaukee

Cuisine: new_american

Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-02:00; Fr 11:00-02:30; Sa 10...

Visit website

Grassroots Salad Company

Fast_food

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Milwaukee, WI

Cuisine: salad

Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-14:00

Visit website

Jimmy John's

Fast_food

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Milwaukee, WI

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-16:00

Visit website

Allen-Bradley Clock Tower

Attraction

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Hamm's Aquatic Center (AKA The HAC)

Park

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Boy Scouts of America: Camp Fletcher

Camp_site

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Marathon County Fairgrounds

Park

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Andrew Warren Historic District

Park

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Decker Memorial County Park

Park

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bronze Fonz

Artwork

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Family

Artwork

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Solomon Juneau Monument

Memorial

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Robert Burns

Artwork

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Whale Commuters

Artwork

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Kegnado

Artwork

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Residence Inn

Hotel

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Milwaukee, WI

Visit website

The Plaza Hotel & Suites

Hotel

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Wausau, WI

Jefferson Street Inn

Hotel

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Wausau, WI

Visit website

Boy Scouts of America: Camp Fletcher

Camp_site

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Milwaukee, WI

Full guide →

“Mil Town” · Founded 1846

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

Arriving in Sanborn, WI

Full guide →

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 7h 6m. Total distance: 340.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 65.2 miles on State Highway 13. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 9 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 Sanborn, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.8 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — North Country National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sanborn, WI before the return drive.

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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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