Origin
Fitchburg, WI
Afternoon in Fitchburg on Sunday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fitchburg, WI to Monona, WI
Drive Time
25m
Distance
16.8 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fitchburg, WI
Tom Fisk
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit between Fitchburg and Monona, Wisconsin, you will find this 16.8-mile journey straightforward and efficient. Covering the distance in roughly 25 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend about $3 on fuel, making it a very economical commute within the Midwest. Since the entire route stays within Wisconsin, you will not need to worry about regional transitions or overnight lodging. It serves as a practical connection for those moving between these two areas, offering a reliable path that avoids unnecessary complexity.
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
8.4 miles from Fitchburg, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 16.8-mile drive offers a mixed-road profile, alternating between local routes and faster highway segments. You will spend about 34% of your time on highways like the West Beltline, while other portions utilize US 14 and County Highway M. Expect a bit of variety in your pace, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring on US 14 for 5.7 miles. The transition from local roads to the highway gives the drive a shifting personality, moving you from suburban-style pacing to higher-speed travel. Overall, it provides a balanced experience that keeps you engaged without the monotony of a long interstate grind.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 14 is the longest continuous segment at about 5.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,021 ft
845 ft
Total Climb
234 ft
Total Descent
367 ft
Highest Point
1,021 ft
~0.7 mi in
Elevation Range
175 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 16.8 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 5.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
5.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Enter roundabout toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alternate
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 14 West, US 18 Alternate, US 151 Alte...
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
7
11.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12 East, US 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 132A
Toward US 12 East, US 18 East
7
14.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward CTH BB: Monona Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward CTH BB: Monona Drive
6
16.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
Nichols Road
Turn left onto Nichols Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 14 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| County Highway M | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| West Beltline Highway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Monona Drive | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Nichols Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Wendt Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| CTH MM | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| County Road MM | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 14
— 5.7 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fitchburg, WI and Monona, 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-B
Toward US 12, US 14, US 18, US 151 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 132A
Toward US 12 East, US 18 East
12
Merge onto US 12; US 18
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 265
Toward CTH BB: Monona Drive
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Monona Drive
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Monona Drive
15
Turn left onto Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Nichols Road
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Nichols Road
Trip Plan
Because this drive is a brief 25-minute trip, you have plenty of scheduling flexibility throughout the day. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when merging onto the West Beltline Highway, as these sections can be the busiest parts of your transit. Since your fuel budget is capped at $3, you can easily top off your tank before departing without significant planning. Use the short duration to your advantage by focusing on your timing to avoid peak local traffic, ensuring a smooth ride from start to finish.
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 8.4 miles from Fitchburg, WI, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.7 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 16.8 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.4 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monona, 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 16.8 miles and 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fitchburg, 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 US 14 for about 5.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.4 mi from Fitchburg, WI · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.4 miles from Fitchburg, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Monona, WI
The final approach into Monona, 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 Monona, 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
$2.55 one way
$5.10 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.81 | $5.63 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.17 | $6.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.73 | $7.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.47 | $0.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Monona, WI
Afternoon in Monona on Sunday
Local time
4:52 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
20 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
25m 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 Fitchburg, WI to Monona, WI covers 16.8 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 14, County Highway M, West Beltline Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.4 miles from Fitchburg, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.55 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 11 significant decision points across 16.8 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 5.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fitchburg, WI to Monona, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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