Origin
Franklin, WI
Late night in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Franklin, WI to Oconomowoc, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
50m
Distance
37.1 mi
60 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Oconomowoc, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Franklin, WI to Oconomowoc, WI covers 37.1 miles and takes about 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on WI 16, East-West Freeway, South Lovers Lane Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.3 miles on WI 16. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.80 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 37.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 50m highway drive covering 37.1 miles, with most of the trip on WI 16 and East-West Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 15.3 miles on WI 16.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WI 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 15.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 16 and East-West Freeway. 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 Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 37.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
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 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese 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
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
8
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
8
20.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
WI 16
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 16 toward WIS 16 West: Pewaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 293C
Toward WIS 16 West: Pewaukee
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Franklin, WI and Oconomowoc, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee and Wis 16 West: Pewaukee.
Madison
5.3 mi in
|
~10m
|
via US 45
Milwaukee
9.6 mi in
|
~16m
Wis 16 West: Pewaukee
20.7 mi in
|
~29m
|
via WI 16
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WI 16 | 15.3 mi | 18m |
| East-West Freeway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| South Lovers Lane Road | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| Zoo Freeway | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| US 45 | 1 mi | 2m |
| Wisconsin Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Wisconsin Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Rock Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WI 16
— 15.3 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin, WI and Oconomowoc, 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 61
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
9
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
13
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 16
15 mi
·
18 min
·
WI 16
Exit 293C
Toward WIS 16 West: Pewaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Wisconsin Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Wisconsin Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto East Wisconsin Avenue
108 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Wisconsin Avenue
17
Continue on East Wisconsin Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Wisconsin Avenue
18
Turn right onto North Main Street
87 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.6 mi from Franklin, WI · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.6 miles from Franklin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oconomowoc, WI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Oconomowoc, WI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.80 one way
$11.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.37 | $12.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.14 | $14.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.19 | $16.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.90 | $1.78 |
| Efficient EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.25 | $1.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.19 | $2.37 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Oconomowoc, WI
Late night in Oconomowoc on Saturday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
50m 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 Oconomowoc, WI covers 37.1 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WI 16, East-West Freeway, South Lovers Lane Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.6 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 $5.80 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 37.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
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 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Franklin, WI and Oconomowoc, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Milwaukee and Wis 16 West: Pewaukee.
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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