Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
152.1 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Photo: Blue Arauz
The drive from Garfield, WI to Milwaukee, WI covers 152.1 miles and takes about 3h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 41, US Highway 10, US 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.8 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.10 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
76 miles from Garfield, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
This is a 3h 2m highway drive covering 152.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 41 and US Highway 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.8 miles on I 41.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.2 miles in near US 45.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 152.1 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 50.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794 / East-West Freeway toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Garfield, WI to Milwaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 80.8 mi | 1h 29m |
| US Highway 10 | 42.2 mi | 48m |
| US 45 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| East-West Freeway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| County Road A | 4 mi | 9m |
| Loberg Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 161 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Sky View Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Garfield, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
Start on CTH A
At end of road, turn right onto WI 161
Continue on Loberg Road
Continue on this road
Turn left onto Sky View Road
Turn left onto US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 41; US 41
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
Turn right onto WI 32
Arrive at destination
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.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 34m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milwaukee, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Garfield, 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 Garfield, WI
This is one driving day of about 152.1 miles and 3h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76 mi from Garfield, WI · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76 miles from Garfield, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.
The final approach into Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.10 one way
$46.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.47 | $50.94 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.71 | $57.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.79 | $67.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.97 | $7.30 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.31 | $6.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.29 | $9.73 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Garfield on Saturday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Milwaukee on Saturday
Local time
6:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Waukegan, IL
76 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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