Trip from Franklin, WI to Kimberly, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 14m

Distance

114.2 mi

184 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 5m ★

6 AM

2h 14m

8 AM

2h 33m

10 AM

2h 21m

12 PM

2h 19m

3 PM

2h 22m

5 PM

2h 32m

8 PM

2h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Franklin, WI

Tom Fisk

village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States

Kimberly, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Franklin, WI to Kimberly, WI covers 114.2 miles and takes about 2h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 41, Zoo Freeway, Tri-County Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.4 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.85 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

57.1 miles from Franklin, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 41	74.4 mi	1h 19m
Zoo Freeway	24.1 mi	29m
Tri-County Expressway	6.5 mi	7m
South Lovers Lane Road	4.4 mi	8m
US 45	1 mi	2m
South Railroad Street	0.8 mi	1m
County Road CE	0.6 mi	<1m
Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge	0.5 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 41 — 74.4 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Kimberly, WI.

Start on this road

141 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn right

89 ft · 8 sec

At end of road, turn right onto US 45

384 ft · 16 sec · US 45

Turn left onto US 45; WI 100

0.1 mi · 14 sec · West Saint Martins Road

Continue on US 45; WI 100

4.4 mi · 8 min · South Lovers Lane Road

Take the ramp onto US 45

0.4 mi · 52 sec · US 45

Toward I 43 North, US 45 North

Merge onto I 43; US 45

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Rock Freeway

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

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45

24 mi · 29 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

74 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 41; US 41

Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 19 sec

Exit 134A Toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 45 sec

Exit 134A Toward US 10 East, WI 441 North

Merge onto US 10; WI 441

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge

Continue on US 10; WI 441

6.5 mi · 7 min · Tri-County Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward CTH CE: College Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

509 ft · 12 sec

Turn straight onto CTH CE

0.3 mi · 27 sec · County Road CE

Enter roundabout onto CTH CE

160 ft · 2 sec · County Road CE

Continue on CTH CE

0.3 mi · 27 sec · County Road CE

Turn slight left

0.1 mi · 24 sec

Turn left onto Railroad Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Railroad Street

Enter roundabout onto South Railroad Street

87 ft · 5 sec · South Railroad Street

Continue on South Railroad Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Railroad Street

At end of road, turn right onto West Kimberly Avenue

67 ft · 1 sec · West Kimberly Avenue

Arrive at destination

West Kimberly Avenue

Trip Plan

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 57.1 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 1h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 25 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.1 miles or 1h 10m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kimberly, 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 114.2 miles and 2h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Franklin, WI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 74.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fond du Lac, WI

57 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

Butler, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fond du Lac, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.1 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro - Kimberly

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kimberly, Wisconsin

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 114.2

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19204233078

Visit website

Tempest Coffee Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Appleton, Wisconsin

2.5 mi

il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro - Kimberly

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 114.2

Kimberly, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19204233078

Visit website

Tempest Coffee Collective

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 114.2

Appleton, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19209392153

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.2

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Valentine Coffee Roasters on Vliet Street

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.2

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14149888018

Visit website

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.2

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Fireside Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 114.2

Menasha, Wisconsin

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19208406800

Visit website

Badger Sports Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 114.2

Appleton, Wisconsin

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+19208306900

Visit website

The Breaking Point LLC

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 114.2

Appleton, Wisconsin

Hours: 4–9 pm

+19202053780

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 112.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...

30 mi into trip | ~41m in | I 41; US 41

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

104.3 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Take the exit toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point

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 134A Toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point

104.6 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 10 East, WI 441 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 134A Toward US 10 East, WI 441 North

112.1 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in

Take the exit toward CTH CE: College Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CTH CE: College Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.85 one way

$35.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$19.60	$39.21
premium	$4.89	$21.98	$43.95
diesel	$5.61	$25.21	$50.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.3	$11.99	$5.48
Efficient EV	28.6	$9.99	$4.57
EV Truck/SUV	45.7	$15.99	$7.31

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 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

Franklin, WI

Afternoon in Franklin on Saturday

Local time

2:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kimberly, WI

Afternoon in Kimberly on Saturday

Local time

2:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

15 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 14m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

114.2 mi in 2h 14m, mostly highway — 74.4 mi of that is on I 41.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on I 41.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and Zoo Freeway. 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.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 114.2 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 30 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Franklin, WI to Kimberly, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.

Appleton

30 mi in | ~41m | via I 41; US 41

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 114.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 74.4 miles on I 41. 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 Kimberly, 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kimberly, WI before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Franklin, WI or browse trips ending in Kimberly, WI.

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Trip from Franklin, WI to Kimberly, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro - Kimberly

il Bar Coffeehouse & Bistro - Kimberly

Tempest Coffee Collective

Vendetta Coffee Bar

Valentine Coffee Roasters on Vliet Street

Blüm Coffee Garden

Fireside Café

Badger Sports Park

The Breaking Point LLC

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Franklin, WI

Kimberly, WI

Same local time

15 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 14m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Kimberly, WI

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