Origin
De Forest, WI
Late night in De Forest on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from De Forest, WI to Franklin, WI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
85.6 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
De Forest, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from De Forest to Franklin, Wisconsin, you can expect a straightforward journey spanning 85.6 miles. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-94, I-39, and US-45, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the duration of your travel. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Midwestern locations. Because the total travel time is under two hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight split, allowing you maximum flexibility at your destination.
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
42.8 miles from De Forest, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience, as the route features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 64.2 miles on I-94. The road maintains a steady pace, lacking the technical turns or slow-moving local traffic that might characterize rural backroads. While the drive is efficient and designed for speed, it remains a functional interstate corridor rather than a winding scenic byway. Expect a predictable, utilitarian experience behind the wheel that prioritizes getting you from De Forest to Franklin as quickly as possible.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lake Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,024 ft
781 ft
Total Climb
379 ft
Total Descent
450 ft
Highest Point
1,024 ft
~10.7 mi in
Elevation Range
242 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from De Forest, WI to Franklin, WI is easy. At 1h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from De Forest, WI to Franklin, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 19 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 39 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 41 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 41 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Zoo Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 43 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Lake Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between De Forest, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on Lake Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Lake Road
3
Turn straight
207 ft
·
10 sec
4
Turn slight right onto State Highway 19
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
State Highway 19
5
Turn left onto I 39 South, I 90 East, I 94 East: Madison
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 39 South, I 90 East, I 94 East: Madison
6
Merge slight left
6.3 mi
·
6 min
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 94: Milwaukee
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
10
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
12
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Zoo Freeway
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
14
Take the exit slight left toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
15
Keep slight right to continue on WI 100 South, US 45 South
4.8 mi
·
9 min
·
WI 100 South, US 45 South
16
Turn right
85 ft
·
8 sec
17
Turn right
161 ft
·
12 sec
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about exhaustion. Aim to avoid peak commute hours when navigating through the interstate sections, as traffic volume can fluctuate significantly on these major arteries. You likely won't need to plan formal stops given the 1 hour and 43 minute duration, but keeping the $13 fuel estimate in mind will help you manage your budget. A great way to approach this route is to check real-time traffic conditions for I-94 before you head out, as that 64.2-mile stretch is the backbone of your journey and can be sensitive to congestion.
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 42.8 miles from De Forest, WI, or about 51m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 51m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving De Forest, 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 De Forest, WI
This is one driving day of about 85.6 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from De Forest, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.8 mi from De Forest, WI · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.8 miles from De Forest, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Franklin, WI
The final approach into Franklin, 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 Franklin, 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
$13.38 one way
$26.77 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.69 | $29.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.47 | $32.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.90 | $37.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.49 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Franklin, WI
Late night in Franklin on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
17 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
1h 43m 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 De Forest, WI to Franklin, WI covers 85.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lake Road, Highway 19, I 39 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.8 miles from De Forest, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.38 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.
The drive from De Forest, WI to Franklin, WI is easy. At 1h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from De Forest, WI to Franklin, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from De Forest, WI to Franklin, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 781 ft to 1,024 ft elevation with about 379 ft of total climbing.
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