Origin
Mauston, WI
Night in Mauston on Wednesday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mauston, WI to Milwaukee, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
141.6 mi
228 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mauston, WI
Tom Fisk
Milwaukee, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mauston, WI to Milwaukee, WI covers 141.6 miles and takes about 2h 37m 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, East-West Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 70.7 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.14 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
70.8 miles from Mauston, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 2h 37m highway drive covering 141.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 70.7 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 13 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 70.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 12; WI 16 / East State Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 12; WI 16 / East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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 12; WI 16 / East State Street
Turn right onto US 12; WI 16 / East State Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street
Turn left onto WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street
Navigation decision point
8
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
9
139.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
I 794 / East-West Freeway
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
6
140.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 70.7 mi | 1h 18m |
| I 90 | 67.8 mi | 1h 12m |
| East-West Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 82 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East State Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Milwaukee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Union Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Saint Paul Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mauston, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
1
Start on Division Street
64 ft
·
8 sec
·
Division Street
2
Turn right onto US 12; WI 16
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
East State Street
3
Turn left onto WI 58; WI 82; CTH G
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Union Street
4
Turn right onto WI 82
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 82
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
6
Merge onto I 90; I 94
68 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
71 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East-West Freeway
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
10
Turn slight right
309 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Jackson Street South
Use the right lane.
11
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Saint Paul Avenue
12
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Milwaukee Street
13
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.8 miles from Mauston, WI, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 31 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.8 miles or 1h 17m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milwaukee, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mauston, 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 Mauston, WI
This is one driving day of about 141.6 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Mauston, 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 70.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.8 mi from Mauston, WI · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.8 miles from Mauston, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.7 miles.
Arriving in Milwaukee, WI
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.14 one way
$44.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.31 | $48.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.25 | $54.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.26 | $62.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.5 | 0 | $14.87 | $6.80 |
| Efficient EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.39 | $5.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.82 | $9.06 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Milwaukee, WI
Night in Milwaukee on Wednesday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph
88% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:28PM CDT until April 19 at 4:34PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 9:26PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
69°F
Cottage Grove, WI
71 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
10 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
2h 37m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mauston, WI to Milwaukee, WI covers 141.6 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 90, East-West Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.8 miles from Mauston, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.14 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 12; WI 16 / East State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (WI 58; WI 82; CTH G / North Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mauston, WI to Milwaukee, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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