The drive from Ladysmith, WI to Franklin, WI covers 294.1 miles and takes about 5h 56m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, State Highway 27, County Highway R for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 214.7 miles on I 94.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.98 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
147 miles from Ladysmith, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 56m. Total distance: 294.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 56m highway drive covering 294.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and State Highway 27. The longest continuous stretch is about 214.7 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 28 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 214.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 27. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 219.1 miles in near I 94.
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 19 significant decision points across 294.1 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 219.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
219.1 mi into trip|~4h 27m 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
283.2 mi into trip|~5h 37m 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
283.8 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
289 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
8
289.2 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward WI 100 South, US 45 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WI 100 South, US 45 South
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
214.7 mi
3h 50m
State Highway 27
55.1 mi
1h 21m
County Highway R
6.8 mi
11m
US 45
5.8 mi
10m
Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
4m
West 9th Street South
1.1 mi
1m
West Lincoln Street
1 mi
1m
Bridge Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 214.7 mi, about 3h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ladysmith, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on this road
36 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Worden Avenue West
443 ft·34 sec·Worden Avenue West
3
At end of road, turn left onto Miner Avenue West
0.3 mi·1 min·Miner Avenue West
4
Turn left onto WI 27
1.1 mi·1 min·West 9th Street South
5
Continue on WI 27
21 mi·30 min·State Highway 27
6
Continue on WI 27; WI 64
0.9 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
7
Turn left onto WI 27
0.6 mi·51 sec·South 3rd Street
8
Continue on WI 27
35 mi·51 min·State Highway 27
9
Turn right onto US 12; CTH G
1.0 mi·1 min·West Lincoln Street
10
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 12; WI 27
11
Turn left onto CTH R
6.8 mi·11 min·County Highway R
12
Continue on CTH R
0.5 mi·54 sec·County Road R
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 10
0.8 mi·1 min·US Highway 10
14
Continue on US 10
0.8 mi·1 min·10th Street
15
Turn sharp left
0.3 mi·39 sec
16
Merge onto I 94
151 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
22
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi·1 min·US 45
Exit 4Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
24
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.
25
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.
26
Turn right
87 ft·8 sec
27
Turn right
160 ft·11 sec
28
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 147 miles from Ladysmith, WI, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.7 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 65 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147 miles or 3h 10m 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 51m
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 Ladysmith, 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 Ladysmith, WI
This is one driving day of about 294.1 miles and 5h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Ladysmith, 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 214.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147 mi from Ladysmith, WI
· 3h 10m into the drive
The midpoint is around 147 miles from Ladysmith, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 214.7 miles.
Arriving in Franklin, WI
The final approach into Franklin, 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 Franklin, WI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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 162.3
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.98 one way
$91.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$50.48
$100.97
premium
$4.89
$56.60
$113.19
diesel
$5.61
$64.93
$129.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.2
1
$30.88
$14.12
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.73
$11.76
EV Truck/SUV
117.6
1
$41.17
$18.82
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Ladysmith, WI
Late night
in Ladysmith on Friday
Local time
4:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, WI
Late night
in Franklin on Friday
Local time
4:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Widespread Fog
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
19 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
5h 56m 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 Ladysmith, WI to Franklin, WI covers 294.1 miles and takes about 5h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, State Highway 27, County Highway R. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147 miles from Ladysmith, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.98 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 19 significant decision points across 294.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 219.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Ladysmith, WI to Franklin, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
