Origin
Franklin, WI
Evening in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
6:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, WI to Elm Grove, WI
Drive Time
24m
Distance
13.2 mi
21 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip between Franklin and Elm Grove, you are looking at a brief 13.2-mile journey that typically takes about 24 minutes to complete. This route keeps you entirely within the Midwest, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will not need to worry about booking an overnight stay for such a short transit. With a modest fuel budget of just $2, the trip is highly economical and straightforward. Because it requires no planned stops, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it best suits your schedule.
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
6.6 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway mileage. You will navigate a series of local roads, primarily utilizing West Saint Martins Road and South Lovers Lane Road to reach your destination. Because there are no long highway stretches, your longest uninterrupted drive is zero miles on West Saint Martins Road. The experience behind the wheel is defined by constant adjustments rather than long, monotonous stretches of pavement. You should be prepared for a steady pace that requires your full attention throughout the entire 24-minute drive.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Lovers Lane Road is the longest continuous segment at about 4.4 miles.
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 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 15 significant decision points across 13.2 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 (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.3 mi into trip
|
~10m 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
9.6 mi into trip
|
~16m 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
9.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
8
10.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 100: Mayfair Road, 108th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WI 100: Mayfair Road, 108th Street
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WI 100 North: Mayfair Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward WI 100 North: Mayfair Road
Towns Along This Route
Between Franklin, WI and Elm Grove, WI, road signs point toward Madison and Milwaukee.
Madison
5.3 mi in
|
~10m
|
via US 45
Milwaukee
9.6 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Lovers Lane Road | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| Zoo Freeway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| West Bluemound Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| US 45 | 1 mi | 2m |
| Elm Grove Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Rock Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Mayfair Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Saint Martins Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Lovers Lane Road
— 4.4 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Elm Grove, WI.
1
Start on this road
141 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
89 ft
·
8 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 45
384 ft
·
16 sec
·
US 45
4
Turn left onto US 45; WI 100
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Saint Martins Road
5
Continue on US 45; WI 100
4.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Lovers Lane Road
6
Take the ramp onto US 45
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 45
Toward I 43 North, US 45 North
7
Merge onto I 43; US 45
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Rock Freeway
8
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
9
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward WI 100: Mayfair Road, 108th Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
279 ft
·
8 sec
Toward WI 100 North: Mayfair Road
Use the slight left lane.
14
Turn left onto WI 100
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Mayfair Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto US 18
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Bluemound Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Elm Grove Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Grove Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto Watertown Plank Road
466 ft
·
15 sec
·
Watertown Plank Road
Use the right lane.
19
Arrive at destination
Watertown Plank Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no required stops, you have the advantage of total scheduling freedom. You can easily time your departure to avoid local traffic bottlenecks that often impact these specific local roads. Keep in mind that because the route relies on South Lovers Lane Road and West Saint Martins Road, you should stay alert for frequent turns rather than setting your cruise control. Budgeting $2 for fuel is more than enough for the 13.2-mile distance, so you won't need to stress about gas station logistics along the way. Simply enjoy the flexibility of a drive that gets you from Franklin to Elm Grove in under half an hour.
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 6.6 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.4 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 13.2 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.6 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elm Grove, 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 13.2 miles and 24m.
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.
The longest stretch is on South Lovers Lane Road for about 4.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.6 mi from Franklin, WI · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.6 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elm Grove, WI
The final approach into Elm Grove, 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 Elm Grove, 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
$2.00 one way
$4.01 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.21 | $4.42 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.49 | $4.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.93 | $5.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4 | 0 | $1.39 | $0.63 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.15 | $0.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.85 | $0.84 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Elm Grove, WI
Evening in Elm Grove on Sunday
Local time
6:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
24m 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 Elm Grove, WI covers 13.2 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Lovers Lane Road, Zoo Freeway, West Bluemound Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.6 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 $2.00 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 15 significant decision points across 13.2 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 (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Franklin, WI and Elm Grove, WI, road signs point toward Madison and Milwaukee.
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