The drive from Hudson, WI to Franklin, WI covers 314.4 miles and takes about 5h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, I 90, US 45 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 241.1 miles on I 94.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.15 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
157.2 miles from Hudson, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 314.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 46m highway drive covering 314.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 241.1 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 16 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 241.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near WI 35.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 314.4 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 0.7 miles (WI 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303.6 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 points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|WI 35
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 35 toward Eau Claire, River Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Eau Claire, River Falls
8
239.4 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
303.6 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
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 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
304.2 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
8
309.4 mi into trip|~5h 36m in|US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 60
Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
241.1 mi
4h 19m
I 90
61.2 mi
1h 5m
US 45
5.8 mi
10m
Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
4m
Second Street
0.7 mi
1m
WI 35
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 241.1 mi, about 4h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hudson, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi·1 min·Second Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 35
0.5 mi·1 min·WI 35
Toward Eau Claire, River FallsUse the slight left lane.
3
Merge onto I 94; US 12; WI 35
177 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 94; US 12; WI 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 90; I 94
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
10
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi·1 min·US 45
Exit 4Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
12
Take the exit onto US 45
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 45
Exit 60Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
4.8 mi·9 min·US 45
Toward WI 100 South, US 45 SouthUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right
87 ft·8 sec
15
Turn right
160 ft·11 sec
16
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 157.2 miles from Hudson, WI, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 241.1 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 69 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.2 miles or 2h 50m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hudson, 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 Hudson, WI
This is one driving day of about 314.4 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Hudson, 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 241.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.2 mi from Hudson, WI
· 2h 50m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 184.3
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.15 one way
$98.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$53.97
$107.94
premium
$4.89
$60.50
$121.01
diesel
$5.61
$69.42
$138.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.3
1
$33.01
$15.09
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
EV Truck/SUV
125.8
1
$44.02
$20.12
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hudson, WI
Late night
in Hudson on Saturday
Local time
1:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, WI
Late night
in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
1:26 AM
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 46m 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 Hudson, WI to Franklin, WI covers 314.4 miles and takes about 5h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 90, US 45. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 157.2 miles from Hudson, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.15 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 314.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (WI 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Hudson, WI to Franklin, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
