Medford, WI to New Berlin, WI is 231.5 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 41, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip focused on getting you from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. Consider this route if your priority is a predictable and relatively quick transit between these two Wisconsin locations.
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
115.8 miles from Medford, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 231.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I 41, US 10, and WI 29. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch on I 41 spans 83.1 miles, so you'll have extended periods of highway cruising. While the primary roads are interstates, the transition between them offers a slight variation. Overall, the feel is one of steady progress on well-maintained, high-speed roadways designed for efficient travel across the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45 miles in near WI 29.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 231.5 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 45 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
45 mi into trip|~1h in|WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
6
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
8
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
7
227.3 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward National Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward National Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medford, WI and New Berlin, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
45 mi in|~1h|via WI 29
Waupaca
79.4 mi in|~1h 38m|via US 10; WI 66
Appleton
79.4 mi in|~1h 38m|via US 10; WI 66
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
83.1 mi
1h 32m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
WI 29
33.9 mi
40m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
State Highway 13
11.8 mi
17m
West National Avenue
3.3 mi
7m
WI 29 Business
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford, WI and New Berlin, WI.
1
Start on South 4th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South 4th Street
2
Turn left onto East Perkins Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·East Perkins Street
3
Turn slight right
259 ft·9 sec
4
Turn straight onto WI 13
0.9 mi·2 min·South 8th Street
5
Continue on WI 13
12 mi·17 min·State Highway 13
6
Continue on WI 13
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
7
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·WI 29 Business
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
9
Merge onto WI 29
29 mi·33 min·WI 29
10
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi·6 min·WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, MadisonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
12
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
13
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 10; WI 66
Exit 158Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi·1 hr·US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, WaupacaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
17
Merge onto I 41; US 41
83 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 2AToward National AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto West National Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·West National Avenue
20
Continue on West Oklahoma Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·West Oklahoma Avenue
21
Continue on West National Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·West National Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
West National Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 37 minute duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 231.5-mile trip. You'll encounter one recommended stop, which is likely sufficient for a break on this relatively short drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 83.1-mile stretch on I 41, as services might be less frequent in certain segments. A good tip is to ensure you have a full tank before departing Medford to maximize your initial range.
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 115.8 miles from Medford, WI, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 51 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.8 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Berlin, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medford, 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 Medford, WI
This is one driving day of about 231.5 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Medford, 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 41 for about 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.8 mi from Medford, WI
· 2h 22m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.19 one way
$72.38 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.74
$79.48
premium
$4.89
$44.55
$89.10
diesel
$5.61
$51.11
$102.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.31
$11.11
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.41
$14.82
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Medford, WI
Afternoon
in Medford on Saturday
Local time
12:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Berlin, WI
Afternoon
in New Berlin on Saturday
Local time
12:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 37m 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 Medford, WI to New Berlin, WI covers 231.5 miles and takes about 4h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, US 10, WI 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.8 miles from Medford, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.19 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 12 significant decision points across 231.5 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 45 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Medford, WI and New Berlin, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
