Origin
Monona, WI
Evening in Monona on Thursday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monona, WI to Franklin, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
80.6 mi
130 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monona, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Monona, WI to Franklin, WI covers 80.6 miles and takes about 1h 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, US 45, Zoo Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.3 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.60 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.
Midpoint
40.3 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 80.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 37m highway drive covering 80.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.3 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 17 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 63.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
976 ft
748 ft
Total Climb
314 ft
Total Descent
389 ft
Highest Point
976 ft
~5.8 mi in
Elevation Range
228 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 69.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
69.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
70.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m 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...
7
71 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
8
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
75.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Monona, WI to Franklin, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
69.8 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 63.3 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 45 | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| Zoo Freeway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| South Stoughton Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| WI 30 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Pflaum Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Nichols Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Nichols Road
2
Continue on Pflaum Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 51
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Stoughton Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
5
Merge onto WI 30
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
WI 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Use the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
this road
Exit 305A
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 45
Exit 4
Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
13
Take the exit onto US 45
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 45
Exit 60
Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
4.8 mi
·
9 min
·
US 45
Toward WI 100 South, US 45 South
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn right
87 ft
·
8 sec
16
Turn right
160 ft
·
11 sec
17
Arrive at destination
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.3 miles from Monona, WI, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 17m
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 Monona, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monona, WI
This is one driving day of about 80.6 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Monona, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.3 mi from Monona, WI · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.3 miles from Monona, 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 63.3 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.60 one way
$25.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.84 | $27.67 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.51 | $31.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.80 | $35.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.46 | $3.87 |
| Efficient EV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.05 | $3.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.28 | $5.16 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Evening in Franklin on Thursday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
2 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
1h 37m 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 Monona, WI to Franklin, WI covers 80.6 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, US 45, Zoo 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 40.3 miles from Monona, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.60 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 69.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Monona, WI to Franklin, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 748 ft to 976 ft elevation with about 314 ft of total climbing.
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