Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
152 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
The drive from Milwaukee, WI to Garfield, WI covers 152 miles and takes about 3h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 41, US Highway 10, Zoo Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.6 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.09 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
76 miles from Milwaukee, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
This is a 3h 1m highway drive covering 152 miles, with most of the trip on I 41 and US Highway 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 41.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,126 ft
Total Descent
594 ft
Highest Point
1,147 ft
~152 mi in
Elevation Range
532 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 152 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 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.8 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Milwaukee, WI to Garfield, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 61.6 mi | 1h 6m |
| US Highway 10 | 39.5 mi | 45m |
| Zoo Freeway | 19.5 mi | 23m |
| US 45 | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| East-West Freeway | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| County Road A | 4 mi | 9m |
| Loberg Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 161 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee, WI and Garfield, WI.
Start on US 18; WI 32
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 794
Continue on I 794
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
Turn right onto Sky View Road
Turn right
Continue on this road
Continue on Loberg Road
Continue on WI 161
Turn left onto CTH A
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 27m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garfield, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI
This is one driving day of about 152 miles and 3h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76 mi from Milwaukee, WI · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76 miles from Milwaukee, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
The final approach into Garfield, 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 Garfield, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.09 one way
$46.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.45 | $50.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.69 | $57.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.77 | $67.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.96 | $7.30 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.30 | $6.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.28 | $9.73 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Milwaukee on Saturday
Local time
5:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Evening in Garfield on Saturday
Local time
5:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Chance Light Rain
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Along the Route
43°F
Waukegan, IL
76 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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