Trip from Franklin, WI to Oak Creek, WI

Drive Time

19m

Distance

11.1 mi

18 km

Drive Score

5/10

Practical drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 18m ★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 20m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 22m
8 PM
0h 18m ★

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

Downtown Franklin, WI, WI

Franklin, WI

Tom Fisk

Downtown Oak Creek, WI, WI

Oak Creek, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick transition between Franklin and Oak Creek, this 11.1-mile journey is a straightforward local trip. You can expect to spend about 19 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal candidate for a one-day excursion. Since the entire route stays within the Wisconsin Midwest, you will find a familiar suburban landscape throughout the drive. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly connection. You won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, as the distance is short enough to handle in a single, relaxed afternoon. This drive is purely functional, perfect for when you need to move between these two neighboring communities without the hassle of a long-distance commute.

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

5.6 miles from Franklin, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via West Ryan Road, West Saint Martins Road, and South Chicago Road to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 8.3 miles, which occurs while you are traveling on West Ryan Road. Because the path relies entirely on surface streets, the pace remains steady and requires your full attention at intersections. It is a practical, no-frills drive that reflects the typical character of local Wisconsin roads, prioritizing accessibility over speed.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Ryan Road is the longest continuous segment at about 8.3 miles.

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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 100 / West Saint Martins Road.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Franklin, WI to Oak Creek, WI is easy. At 19m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 100 / West Saint Martins Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (WI 32 / South Chicago Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.1 miles (East Puetz Road): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

3 of 3 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | WI 100 / West Saint Martins Road

Turn left onto WI 100 / West Saint Martins Road

Navigation decision point

3
9.8 mi into trip | ~16m in | WI 32 / South Chicago Road

Turn left onto WI 32 / South Chicago Road

Navigation decision point

4
11.1 mi into trip | ~19m in | East Puetz Road

Turn left onto East Puetz Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
West Ryan Road 8.3 mi 13m
West Saint Martins Road 1.4 mi 2m
South Chicago Road 1.2 mi 2m
East Puetz Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: West Ryan Road — 8.3 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

160 ft · 17 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto WI 100

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Saint Martins Road
3

Continue on WI 100

8.3 mi · 13 min · West Ryan Road
Use the none lane.
4

Turn slight left

0.1 mi · 30 sec
5

Turn left onto WI 32

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chicago Road
6

Turn left onto East Puetz Road

109 ft · 2 sec · East Puetz Road
7

Arrive at destination

East Puetz Road

Trip Plan

Because this is a short, 19-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Since you won't need to schedule any stops for this 11.1-mile distance, you can head straight to your destination without worrying about logistics. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave, even though the $2 estimated cost makes it a minor expense. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert for frequent turns, as the transition between West Ryan Road and the other local streets requires steady navigation. Enjoy the simplicity of this quick hop across the region.

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 5.6 miles from Franklin, WI, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.3 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 11.1 miles or 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 5.6 miles or 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Creek, 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 11.1 miles and 19m.

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 West Ryan Road for about 8.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 5.6 mi from Franklin, WI · 9m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

6 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

Waukegan, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 5.6 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Oak Creek, WI

The final approach into Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek, 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

$1.69 one way

$3.37 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 4 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $1.86 $3.72
premium $4.80 $2.10 $4.19
diesel $5.64 $2.47 $4.93

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: 3.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 3.3 0 $1.17 $0.53
Efficient EV 2.8 0 $0.97 $0.44
EV Truck/SUV 4.4 0 $1.55 $0.71

Gas CO2

4 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (75% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Franklin, WI

Evening in Franklin on Sunday

Local time

5:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oak Creek, WI

Evening in Oak Creek on Sunday

Local time

5:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

19m 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 Oak Creek, WI covers 11.1 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Ryan Road, West Saint Martins Road, South Chicago Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.6 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 $1.69 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.
The drive from Franklin, WI to Oak Creek, WI is easy. At 19m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 100 / West Saint Martins Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (WI 32 / South Chicago Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.1 miles (East Puetz Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Franklin, WI to Oak Creek, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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