Origin
Franklin, WI
Afternoon in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, WI to Lancaster, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
165.6 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 18m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Lancaster, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Franklin, WI to Lancaster, WI covers 165.6 miles and takes about 3h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Saint Martins Road, South Lovers Lane Road, I 43 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.89 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.8 miles from Franklin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 165.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 30m drive with frequent turns across 165.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 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.
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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Franklin, WI to Lancaster, WI is easy. At 3h 30m 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 Lancaster, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Saint Martins Road | — | — |
| South Lovers Lane Road | — | — |
| I 43 North | — | — |
| Rock Freeway | — | — |
| I 41 North | — | — |
| Zoo Freeway | — | — |
| I 94 West | — | — |
| East-West Freeway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
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 Lancaster, 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 left to continue on I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
16
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
17
Merge slight right
3.2 mi
·
3 min
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
19
Merge slight left onto South Beltline Highway
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
South Beltline Highway
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
38 mi
·
45 min
·
US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
21
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West: Dodgeville, Prairie du Chien
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 18 West: Dodgeville, Prairie du Chien
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Dodgeville Expressway
135 ft
·
6 sec
·
Dodgeville Expressway
23
Exit the roundabout onto Dodgeville Expressway
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Dodgeville Expressway
24
Continue on US Highway 18
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 18
25
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
26
Continue on US Highway 18
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 18
27
Continue on 12th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
12th Street
28
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
29
Turn left onto State Highway 129
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 129
30
Turn right onto County Road A
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
County Road A
31
Continue on East Elm Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Elm Street
32
Continue on County Road A
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
County Road A
33
Turn left onto North Madison Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Madison Street
34
Turn right onto West Maple Street
318 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Maple Street
35
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
177 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
36
Arrive at your 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 82.8 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 1h 45m 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lancaster, 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 165.6 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.8 mi from Franklin, WI · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.8 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lancaster, WI
The final approach into Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, 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
$25.89 one way
$51.78 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.43 | $56.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.87 | $63.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.56 | $73.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
| Efficient EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Lancaster, WI
Afternoon in Lancaster on Thursday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
3h 30m 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 Lancaster, WI covers 165.6 miles and takes about 3h 30m 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 82.8 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 $25.89 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Franklin, WI to Lancaster, WI is easy. At 3h 30m 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 Lancaster, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Franklin, WI to Lancaster, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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