Trip from Franklin, WI to Ladysmith, WI

Drive Time

5h 55m

Distance

293.8 mi

473 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 42m ★

6 AM

5h 55m

8 AM

6h 21m

10 AM

6h 4m

12 PM

6h 2m

3 PM

6h 6m

5 PM

6h 20m

8 PM

5h 47m

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

Trip Overview

The drive from Franklin, WI to Ladysmith, WI covers 293.8 miles and takes about 5h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 94, East-West Freeway, I 90 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.6 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.63 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

146.9 miles from Franklin, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 55m highway drive covering 293.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and East-West Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 87.6 miles on I 94.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and East-West 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.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 293.8 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 (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 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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...

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

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

74.3 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...

166.9 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

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

Use the straight lane. Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

Towns Along This Route

Between Franklin, WI and Ladysmith, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Cth R: Osseo and Augusta.

Eau Claire

74.3 mi in | ~1h 27m | via I 94

Saint Paul

166.9 mi in | ~3h 6m | via I 94

Cth R: Osseo

225.4 mi in | ~4h 9m

Augusta

225.4 mi in | ~4h 9m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	87.6 mi	1h 34m
East-West Freeway	63.8 mi	1h 9m
I 90	63.5 mi	1h 8m
State Highway 27	55.2 mi	1h 21m
County Highway R	6.8 mi	11m
South Lovers Lane Road	4.4 mi	8m
Zoo Freeway	3.7 mi	5m
US 12	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 87.6 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Ladysmith, 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

3.7 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

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.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 56 sec

Exit 1B Toward I 94 West: Madison Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 11 sec

Toward I 94 West: Madison

Merge onto I 94

10 mi · 11 min · East-West Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

54 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

29 mi · 31 min · I 94

Exit 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 90; I 94

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

59 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 94

Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 88 Toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta

Keep slight right at fork

197 ft · 5 sec

Merge onto US 10

0.6 mi · 1 min · 10th Street

Continue on US 10

0.8 mi · 1 min · US Highway 10

Turn left onto CTH R

0.5 mi · 53 sec · County Road R

Continue on CTH R

6.8 mi · 11 min · County Highway R

At end of road, turn right onto US 12; WI 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · US 12; WI 27

Turn left onto WI 27

35 mi · 51 min · State Highway 27

Continue on WI 27

0.6 mi · 50 sec · South 3rd Street

Turn right onto WI 27; WI 64

0.9 mi · 1 min · Bridge Street

Continue on WI 27; WI 64

21 mi · 30 min · State Highway 27

Continue on WI 27

1.1 mi · 1 min · West 9th Street South

Turn right onto Miner Avenue West

0.3 mi · 1 min · Miner Avenue West

Turn right

443 ft · 33 sec

Turn right

36 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

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 146.9 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 2h 45m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.6 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 146.9 miles or 2h 45m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladysmith, 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 293.8 miles and 5h 55m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 87.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 146.9 mi from Franklin, WI · 2h 45m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

147 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 146.9 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 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.6 miles.

Arriving in Ladysmith, WI

The final approach into Ladysmith, 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 Ladysmith, 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

$44.63 one way

$89.25 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$49.19	$98.39
premium	$4.80	$55.46	$110.93
diesel	$5.64	$65.27	$130.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	88.1	1	$30.85	$14.10
Efficient EV	73.5	0	$25.71	$11.75
EV Truck/SUV	117.5	1	$41.13	$18.80

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Franklin, WI

Afternoon in Franklin on Monday

Local time

2:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ladysmith, WI

Afternoon in Ladysmith on Monday

Local time

2:50 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 55m 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 Ladysmith, WI covers 293.8 miles and takes about 5h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, East-West Freeway, I 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 146.9 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 $44.63 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.

Between Franklin, WI and Ladysmith, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Cth R: Osseo and Augusta.

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Trip from Franklin, WI to Ladysmith, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ladysmith, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Franklin, WI

Ladysmith, WI

Same local time

Very similar conditions

5h 55m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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