Origin
Franklin, WI
Morning in Franklin on Monday
Local time
8:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, WI to De Forest, WI
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
85.3 mi
137 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 35m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
De Forest, WI
Masood Aslami
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Franklin to De Forest, you are looking at an efficient 85.3-mile journey across Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 42 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $13, the trip remains very affordable for solo travelers or families. You will primarily utilize the East-West Freeway and I-94, which keeps the travel time predictable. Because the entire route stays within the Midwest, you can anticipate familiar terrain throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trip that does not require an overnight split, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy your destination once you arrive.
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
42.6 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 85.3-mile route is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find that the experience is dominated by an interstate grind, specifically during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.8 miles on the East-West Freeway. While you start your journey utilizing South Lovers Lane Road, the transition to I-94 quickly shifts the pace to a consistent, high-speed cruise. The road’s personality is defined by utility and efficiency rather than winding backroads or technical turns. Expect a steady, predictable flow of traffic as you navigate these primary arteries between Franklin and De Forest.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Saint Martins Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
999 ft
746 ft
Total Climb
369 ft
Total Descent
298 ft
Highest Point
999 ft
~74.6 mi in
Elevation Range
253 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 Franklin, WI to De Forest, WI is easy. At 1h 42m 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 Franklin, WI to De Forest, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Saint Martins Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Lovers Lane Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 43 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rock Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 41 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Zoo Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East-West Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Saint Martins Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and De Forest, WI.
1
Start on the route
141 ft
·
11 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
89 ft
·
8 sec
3
At the end of the road, turn right
384 ft
·
17 sec
4
Turn left onto West Saint Martins Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Saint Martins Road
5
Continue on South Lovers Lane Road
4.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Lovers Lane Road
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 43 North, US 45 North
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 43 North, US 45 North
7
Merge slight left onto Rock Freeway
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Rock Freeway
8
Take the exit slight left toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
9
Merge slight right onto Zoo Freeway
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 94 West: Madison
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
I 94 West: Madison
13
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
14
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
16
Take the exit slight right toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
17
Keep slight left to continue on WI 19 West: Waunakee
453 ft
·
13 sec
·
WI 19 West: Waunakee
18
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
19
Turn slight right onto Lake Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Lake Road
20
Continue on South Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility for your departure. Leaving mid-morning is often a wise choice to avoid the peak congestion typical of major freeways like I-94. Because there are no designated stops programmed into this 1 hour and 42 minute drive, you can easily pace the trip to your own comfort level. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the East-West Freeway, as that 63.8-mile stretch is where you will spend the vast majority of your travel time. Having $13 set aside for fuel should cover your needs, but having a little extra on hand is always a smart practice for any regional Wisconsin road trip.
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 42.6 miles from Franklin, 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 42.6 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 De Forest, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Franklin, 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 Franklin, WI
This is one driving day of about 85.3 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Franklin, 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 42.6 mi from Franklin, 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 42.6 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in De Forest, WI
The final approach into De Forest, 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 De Forest, 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
$12.96 one way
$25.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.28 | $28.57 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.10 | $32.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.95 | $37.90 |
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: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.96 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.94 | $5.46 |
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
De Forest, WI
Morning in De Forest on Monday
Local time
8:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°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 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 42m 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 Franklin, WI to De Forest, WI covers 85.3 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Saint Martins Road, South Lovers Lane Road, I 43 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.6 miles from Franklin, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.96 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 Franklin, WI to De Forest, WI is easy. At 1h 42m 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 Franklin, WI to De Forest, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Franklin, WI to De Forest, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 746 ft to 999 ft elevation with about 369 ft of total climbing.
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