The drive from Franklin, WI to Lac du Flambeau, WI covers 270.8 miles and takes about 5h 28m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 51, I 41, US Highway 10 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.9 miles on US 51.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
135.4 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 270.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 28m highway drive covering 270.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 51 and I 41. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.9 miles on US 51.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 51 is the longest continuous segment at about 70.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 45.
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 19 significant decision points across 270.8 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: near the start (US 45): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 45
At end of road, turn right onto US 45
Navigation decision point
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
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
7
91.6 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
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.
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
91.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 45 North: New London
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 Lac du Flambeau, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
30 mi in|~41m|via I 41; US 41
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
70.9 mi
1h 28m
I 41
61.6 mi
1h 6m
US Highway 10
46.6 mi
54m
Zoo Freeway
24.1 mi
29m
I 39
23.3 mi
25m
US 45
16.3 mi
19m
State Highway 47
10.8 mi
16m
US 10
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 70.9 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Lac du Flambeau, 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 61Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
9
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
24 mi·29 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 45
15 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
47 mi·54 min·US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
15
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
16
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi·7 min·US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
17
Continue on I 39; US 51
23 mi·25 min·I 39; US 51
18
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
48 mi·55 min·US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51
23 mi·32 min·US 51
20
Turn slight right onto US 51
2.1 mi·5 min·Chippewa Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto WI 47
0.4 mi·48 sec·1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on WI 47
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 47
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on WI 47; CTH D
0.6 mi·56 sec·Old Abe Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto CTH D
0.3 mi·37 sec·Waswagon Street
25
Turn left onto Simpson Avenue
38 ft·1 sec·Simpson Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Simpson Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 135.4 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.9 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 60 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.4 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lac du Flambeau, 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 270.8 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Franklin, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 51 for about 70.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.4 mi from Franklin, WI
· 2h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 135.4 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 US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.9 miles.
Arriving in Lac du Flambeau, WI
The final approach into Lac du Flambeau, 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 Lac du Flambeau, WI.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.34 one way
$84.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.48
$92.97
premium
$4.89
$52.11
$104.23
diesel
$5.61
$59.79
$119.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.2
1
$28.43
$13.00
Efficient EV
67.7
0
$23.70
$10.83
EV Truck/SUV
108.3
1
$37.91
$17.33
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Franklin, WI
Evening
in Franklin on Friday
Local time
7:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Widespread Fog
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 4:41AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 3:09AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Evening
in Lac du Flambeau on Friday
Local time
7:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 4:41AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 3:09AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
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
3 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
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Lac du Flambeau, WI covers 270.8 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 51, I 41, US Highway 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.4 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 $42.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 270.8 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: near the start (US 45): Navigation decision point; 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.
On the drive from Franklin, WI to Lac du Flambeau, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
