Origin
Lancaster, WI
Late night in Lancaster on Thursday
Local time
12:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
166 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lancaster, WI
Tom Fisk
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI covers 166 miles and takes about 3h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Cherry Street, North Madison Street, County Road A for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.95 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
83 miles from Lancaster, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 31m drive with frequent turns across 166 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Cherry Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI is easy. At 3h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Cherry Street | — | — |
| North Madison Street | — | — |
| County Road A | — | — |
| East Elm Street | — | — |
| Highway 129 | — | — |
| Lincoln Avenue | — | — |
| 12th Street | — | — |
| Highway 18 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West Cherry Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on South Jefferson Street
184 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Jefferson Street
2
Turn left onto West Cherry Street
318 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Cherry Street
3
Turn left onto North Madison Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Madison Street
4
Turn right onto County Road A
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
County Road A
5
Continue on East Elm Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Elm Street
6
Continue on County Road A
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
County Road A
7
Turn left onto State Highway 129
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 129
8
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
9
Turn right onto 12th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
12th Street
10
Continue on US Highway 18
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 18
11
Continue on West Main Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
12
Continue on US Highway 18
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 18
13
Continue on Dodgeville Expressway
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Dodgeville Expressway
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Dodgeville Expressway
148 ft
·
6 sec
·
Dodgeville Expressway
15
Exit the roundabout onto Dodgeville Expressway
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Dodgeville Expressway
16
Keep slight left
38 mi
·
45 min
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East, US 14 East, US 18 East, US 151 North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12 East, US 14 East, US 18 East, US 151 North
18
Merge slight left onto West Beltline Highway
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West Beltline Highway
19
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
20
Merge slight left
3.1 mi
·
3 min
21
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 94 East: Milwaukee
22
Merge slight left
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
23
Merge slight left
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
25
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
26
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
27
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
28
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Zoo Freeway
29
Take the exit slight right toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
30
Take the exit slight left toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
31
Keep slight right to continue on WI 100 South, US 45 South
4.8 mi
·
9 min
·
WI 100 South, US 45 South
32
Turn right
85 ft
·
8 sec
33
Turn right
161 ft
·
12 sec
34
Arrive at your 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 83 miles from Lancaster, WI, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83 miles or 1h 45m 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 53m
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 Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, WI
This is one driving day of about 166 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lancaster, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83 mi from Lancaster, WI · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 83 miles from Lancaster, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.95 one way
$51.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.49 | $56.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.95 | $63.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.65 | $73.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.43 | $7.97 |
| Efficient EV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
Franklin, WI
Late night in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
12:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
41°F
McFarland, WI
83 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
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
3h 31m 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 Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI covers 166 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Cherry Street, North Madison Street, County Road A. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83 miles from Lancaster, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.95 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI is easy. At 3h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lancaster, WI to Franklin, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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