This 167.9-mile journey from New Berlin, WI to Bridgeport, WI takes approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes, making it a perfect one-day road trip. You'll primarily be on the East-West Freeway and US 18, with 77% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest adventure is around $26. Given the manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of driving, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The overall feel is a straightforward drive across Wisconsin.
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
84 miles from New Berlin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East-West Freeway
60.2 mi
1h 4m
US 18
38.9 mi
47m
US Highway 18
24.1 mi
34m
Great River Road
23.2 mi
31m
South Beltline Highway
8.2 mi
11m
South Moorland Road
3.3 mi
6m
I 39
3.2 mi
3m
Dodgeville Expressway
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 60.2 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Berlin, WI and Bridgeport, WI.
1
Start on West National Avenue
69 ft·1 sec·West National Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto CTH O
3.3 mi·6 min·South Moorland Road
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto I 94
6.7 mi·7 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30
0.2 mi·15 sec·WI 30
Exit 240Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 240AToward I 39 South, I 90 East: JanesvilleUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 39; I 90
3.2 mi·3 min·I 39; I 90
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
10
Merge onto US 12; US 18
8.2 mi·11 min·South Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 18; US 151
38 mi·45 min·US 18; US 151
Exit 258Toward US 18 West, US 151 South: DodgevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 18
0.8 mi·1 min·US 18
Exit 47Toward US 18 West: Dodgeville, Prairie du Chien
13
Enter roundabout onto US 18
133 ft·5 sec·Dodgeville Expressway
14
Continue on US 18
2.0 mi·3 min·Dodgeville Expressway
15
Continue on US 18
8.4 mi·11 min·US Highway 18
16
Continue on US 18
1.3 mi·2 min·East Main Street
17
Continue on US 18; WI 80
16 mi·22 min·US Highway 18
18
Continue on US 18
0.5 mi·1 min·12th Street
19
Turn right onto US 18; US 61
0.5 mi·1 min·Lincoln Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 18
0.4 mi·56 sec·4th Street
21
Continue on US 18
23 mi·31 min·Great River Road
22
Turn right onto WI 60
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Highway 60
23
Arrive at destination
WI 60
Trip Plan
With a drive time under four hours, you have flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day at your destination. There's only one recommended stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without exiting is over 60 miles. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your timing based on traffic or personal preference. A good tip is to check the specific conditions for US 18 before you depart, as it's a key artery for 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 84 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.2 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 37 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 37m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bridgeport, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Berlin, 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 New Berlin, WI
This is one driving day of about 167.9 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from New Berlin, 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 60.2 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 10.6 and 76.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.6 mi into trip|~14m 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.
7
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|WI 30
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30 toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 240
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janes...
9
64.4 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 240A
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
6
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 142A
Toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
8
76.9 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 18; US 151
Take the exit onto US 18; US 151 toward US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
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.
Exit 258
Toward US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.25 one way
$52.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.82
$57.64
premium
$4.89
$32.31
$64.62
diesel
$5.61
$37.07
$74.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.4
0
$17.63
$8.06
Efficient EV
42
0
$14.69
$6.72
EV Truck/SUV
67.2
0
$23.51
$10.75
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
New Berlin, WI
Morning
in New Berlin on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bridgeport, WI
Morning
in Bridgeport on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Fitchburg, WI
84 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
6 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
3h 32m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with the majority of your travel occurring on faster-paced roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the East-West Freeway, including a longest stretch of 60.2 miles without needing to turn off. While the primary roads are highways, the experience offers a good balance of efficient travel and the chance to see the Wisconsin landscape unfold. The route's character remains largely consistent, emphasizing forward momentum.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.2 mi on East-West Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and US 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 167.9 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 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (WI 30): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 New Berlin, WI and Bridgeport, WI, road signs point toward Madison and Prairie Du Chien.
Madison
64.1 mi in|~1h 12m|via WI 30
Prairie Du Chien
115 mi in|~2h 14m|via US 18
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 167.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.2 miles on East-West Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bridgeport, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (WI 30): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Bridgeport, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
