Origin
Clinton, WI
Evening in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, WI to Milwaukee, WI
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
66.3 mi
107 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, WI
Tom Fisk
Milwaukee, WI
Blue Arauz
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across Wisconsin, the 66.3-mile trip from Clinton to Milwaukee is a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You can expect to complete this journey in about 1 hour and 18 minutes, making it highly efficient for a direct commute or a brief weekend getaway. With a fuel budget of approximately $10, it is an economical choice for travelers moving through the Midwest. Because this route is entirely contained within the state of Wisconsin, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It is best handled as a single-day trip, as the short duration rarely necessitates an overnight stay. Whether you are heading into the city for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable and uncomplicated path.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
33.2 miles from Clinton, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is almost exclusively a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-43, which accounts for a significant 53.2-mile stretch of the journey. As you approach your destination, the path transitions onto the East-West Freeway and the Zoo Freeway to navigate the urban landscape. Do not expect technical local roads or winding scenic byways here; instead, anticipate a steady, high-speed pace that prioritizes efficiency over exploration. Behind the wheel, you will find this to be a classic interstate experience characterized by consistent highway speeds and clear, well-marked signage.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 54.5 miles in near US 45.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 66.3 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 54.5 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fon...
8
58.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
58.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
6
59.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clinton, WI to Milwaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
54.5 mi in
|
~1h
|
via US 45
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 43 | 53.2 mi | 57m |
| East-West Freeway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Zoo Freeway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Church Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 45 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Milwaukee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South State Highway 140 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South State Road 140 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 53.2 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
1
Start on CTH J; CTH X
21 ft
·
3 sec
·
Milwaukee Street
2
Turn right onto WI 140
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Church Street
3
Continue on WI 140
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South State Highway 140
4
Continue on WI 140
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South State Road 140
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
6
Merge onto I 43
53 mi
·
57 min
·
I 43
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit onto US 45
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 45
Exit 61
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
8
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 94
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
15
Turn slight right
309 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Jackson Street South
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Saint Paul Avenue
17
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Milwaukee Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on traffic patterns as you transition onto the Zoo Freeway near Milwaukee. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the 1 hour and 18-minute duration is easily manageable in a single stint. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the trip, keeping the $10 estimate in mind for your budget. Because the longest stretch of 53.2 miles occurs on I-43, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter hours if you prefer a quieter road experience. Use this direct route to your advantage by keeping your travel plans light and spontaneous.
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 33.2 miles from Clinton, WI, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 66.3 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.2 miles or 36m 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 2m
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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, WI
This is one driving day of about 66.3 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 53.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.2 mi from Clinton, WI · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 66.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.2 miles from Clinton, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Milwaukee, WI
The final approach into Milwaukee, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Milwaukee, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.07 one way
$20.14 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.10 | $22.20 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.52 | $25.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.73 | $29.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.96 | $3.18 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.80 | $2.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Evening in Milwaukee on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
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
1h 18m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clinton, WI to Milwaukee, WI covers 66.3 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 43, East-West Freeway, Zoo Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.2 miles from Clinton, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 66.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 54.5 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Clinton, WI to Milwaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Milwaukee, WI
More from Clinton, WI
More trips to Milwaukee, WI
Explore more options from Clinton, WI or browse trips ending in Milwaukee, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for Clinton, WI or Milwaukee, WI on MapSof.net.