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Trip from New Berlin, WI to Princeton, 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 15m
Distance
98.1 mi
158 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Berlin, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Princeton, WI
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
New Berlin, WI to Princeton, WI is 98.1 miles and takes about 2h 15m via I 41 and State Highway 23, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and Wisconsin for its entirety. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on interstates, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a connection between these two points. Given the short duration and modest fuel cost, it's an easy same-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 miles from New Berlin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 47.8 mi | 51m |
| State Highway 23 | 16.7 mi | 24m |
| West Johnson Street | 10.9 mi | 16m |
| Pilgrim Road | 8.6 mi | 16m |
| South Moorland Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 23 & 49 | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| West Fond du Lac Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Pilgrim Parkway East | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 47.8 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Berlin, WI and Princeton, WI.
1
Start on West National Avenue
69 ft
·
1 sec
·
West National Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto CTH O
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
South Moorland Road
Use the straight / slight left / right lanes.
3
Continue on Pilgrim Parkway East
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pilgrim Parkway East
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on CTH YY
8.6 mi
·
16 min
·
Pilgrim Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Appleton, West Bend
6
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 41; US 41; US 45
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
41 mi
·
43 min
·
I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 45
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 45
Exit 99
Toward WI 23: Johnson Street
9
Keep slight left at fork
222 ft
·
7 sec
10
Turn left onto US 45; WI 23
11 mi
·
16 min
·
West Johnson Street
11
Continue on WI 23
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 23
12
Continue on WI 23; WI 44
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Fond du Lac Street
13
Turn right onto Watson Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Watson Street
14
Turn left onto WI 23; WI 49
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Fond du Lac Street
15
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 23 & 49
16
Turn straight onto WI 23; CTH A
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fulton Street
18
Turn right onto East Main Street
148 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short, 2h 15m drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Since the longest stretch on the highway is under 50 miles, you won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops, and the estimated $15 fuel cost is quite manageable. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 41 to State Highway 23, as this is where the character of the drive changes.
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 49.1 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.8 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 22 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Princeton, 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 98.1 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from New Berlin, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 47.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.1 miles from New Berlin, 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.
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 62.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CTH O / South Moorland Road
Turn sharp right onto CTH O / South Moorland Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / right lanes.
4
14.5 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the ramp toward I 41 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Appleton, West Bend
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Ap...
8
22.1 mi into trip
|
~36m 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
5
62.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward WI 23: Johnson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 99
Toward WI 23: Johnson Street
5
62.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.34 one way
$30.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.84 | $33.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.88 | $37.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.66 | $43.32 |
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: 34.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.30 | $4.71 |
| Efficient EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.58 | $3.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.73 | $6.28 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Origin
New Berlin, WI
Morning in New Berlin on Tuesday
Local time
7:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Princeton, WI
Morning in Princeton on Tuesday
Local time
7:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 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 15m 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 98.1
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 71% of the 98.1 miles spent on interstates. You'll encounter a stretch of 47.8 miles on I 41, which means you'll be cruising at highway speeds for a significant portion of the trip. The route transitions to surface roads, specifically West Johnson Street, as you approach your destination. Expect a mostly rural feel with fewer exits once you leave the main interstate.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.8 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 23. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CTH O / South Moorland Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 98.1 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: near the start (CTH O / South Moorland Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Princeton, WI, road signs point toward Bend and Appleton.
Bend
14.5 mi in
|
~27m
Appleton
22.1 mi in
|
~36m
|
via I 41; US 41
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 98.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.8 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Princeton, 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. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CTH O / South Moorland Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Princeton, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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