Spanning 104.6 miles across Wisconsin, this trip between Fitchburg and Cedarburg is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a quick getaway or a weekend excursion. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent regional character throughout. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that prioritizes efficiency, allowing you to spend less time on the road and more time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.3 miles from Fitchburg, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
54.7 mi
58m
Capitol Drive
7.1 mi
10m
West Beltline Highway
5.8 mi
7m
US 14
5.7 mi
6m
County Highway M
4.8 mi
7m
Wauwatosa Road
4 mi
7m
Zoo Freeway
3.4 mi
4m
I 39
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 54.7 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fitchburg, WI and Cedarburg, WI.
1
Start on Wendt Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Wendt Road
2
Turn left onto CTH M
4.8 mi·7 min·County Highway M
3
Turn straight onto CTH MM
101 ft·2 sec·CTH MM
4
Turn slight left onto CTH MM
0.1 mi·18 sec·CTH MM
5
Enter roundabout onto CTH MM
118 ft·2 sec·County Road MM
6
Continue on CTH MM
338 ft·8 sec·County Road MM
7
Enter roundabout
239 ft·13 sec
Toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate
8
Continue
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate
9
Merge onto US 14
5.6 mi·6 min·US 14
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 14
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 14
Exit 132A-BToward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 132AToward US 12 East, US 18 East
12
Merge onto US 12; US 18
5.8 mi·7 min·West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 267BToward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin DellsUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 39; I 90
3.1 mi·3 min·I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 138AToward I 94 East: Milwaukee
16
Merge onto WI 30
0.2 mi·11 sec·WI 30
17
Merge onto I 94
55 mi·58 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
20
Turn left onto CTH F
2.4 mi·4 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right
0.3 mi·58 sec
22
Turn straight onto WI 190
7.1 mi·10 min·Capitol Drive
Use the left lane.
23
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·31 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
322 ft·21 sec
25
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 North, US 45 NorthUse the straight / left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
3.4 mi·4 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 47BToward Good Hope RoadUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Good Hope Road EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto CTH PP
2.4 mi·4 min·West Good Hope Road
30
Turn left onto WI 181
3.1 mi·5 min·North 76th Street
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on WI 181
4.0 mi·7 min·Wauwatosa Road
32
Turn right onto Highland Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Highland Road
33
Turn left onto Cedarburg Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Cedarburg Road
34
Continue on Washington Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Washington Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
35
Arrive at destination
Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic on I-94 is always a wise move. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled in the data, you can plan your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 54.7-mile interstate stretch, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Given the 2-hour and 18-minute duration, consider packing snacks or drinks in advance to keep your momentum going without needing to pull over for errands. Using the West Beltline Highway early on helps you clear the initial urban sprawl efficiently before merging onto the main highway system.
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 52.3 miles from Fitchburg, WI, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.3 miles or 1h 2m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedarburg, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fitchburg, 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 Fitchburg, WI
This is one driving day of about 104.6 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Fitchburg, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 54.7 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 91.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
11.3 mi into trip|~15m in|US 14
Take the exit onto US 14 toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
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 132A-B
Toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
8
17.6 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 267B
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wiscon...
8
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
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 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
8
87.1 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the ramp toward I 41 North, US 45 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North
8
91.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Good Hope Road East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Good Hope Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.35 one way
$32.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.95
$35.91
premium
$4.89
$20.13
$40.26
diesel
$5.61
$23.09
$46.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.4
0
$10.98
$5.02
Efficient EV
26.2
0
$9.15
$4.18
EV Truck/SUV
41.8
0
$14.64
$6.69
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Fitchburg, WI
Afternoon
in Fitchburg on Saturday
Local time
12:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedarburg, WI
Afternoon
in Cedarburg on Saturday
Local time
12:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°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 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 64% of your journey will be spent on major roads. Your route utilizes a combination of the West Beltline Highway, I-94, and Capitol Drive to bridge the gap between your starting point and Cedarburg. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 54.7-mile segment on I-94, which serves as the primary backbone of the trip. While the drive shifts from high-speed interstate travel to local arterial roads like Capitol Drive, the overall pace remains steady and functional. You will find that the transitions between these road types dictate the flow of your travel as you navigate toward your destination.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Capitol Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in near US 14.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 104.6 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 11.3 miles (US 14): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,013 ft694 ft
Total Climb
461 ft
Total Descent
689 ft
Highest Point
1,013 ft
Elevation Range
319 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fitchburg, WI and Cedarburg, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Dells, Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex, Cth F North: Waukesha and Good Hope Road East.
Wisconsin Dells
17.6 mi in|~24m
Cth F: Waukesha
76.8 mi in|~1h 28m
Sussex
76.8 mi in|~1h 28m
Cth F North: Waukesha
77 mi in|~1h 29m
Good Hope Road East
91.1 mi in|~1h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 104.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cedarburg, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles (US 14): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedarburg, WI before heading back.
