Origin
Monona, WI
Evening in Monona on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monona, WI to Milwaukee, WI
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
77.9 mi
125 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Milwaukee, WI
Blue Arauz
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across Wisconsin, the 77.9-mile journey from Monona to Milwaukee is an ideal day trip. You can expect to reach your destination in about 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it a highly efficient connection between these two Midwestern locales. With a fuel budget of approximately $12, this drive is a budget-friendly way to move between cities. Because the route is short and focused on highway travel, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. This trip is perfect for those who prioritize speed and reliability over wandering backroads. Overall, it serves as a practical, no-nonsense link that gets you where you need to go with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very consistent experience on this route, which is dominated by a 93% highway share. You will navigate via South Stoughton Road and WI 30 before settling in for the majority of the trip on I 94. The driving profile is strictly highway-focused, featuring a significant 69.8-mile stretch that makes up the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Because you spend almost the entire duration on major thoroughfares, you can anticipate a steady pace without the frequent stops or technical turns found on local backroads. It is a functional, streamlined drive that allows you to cover the distance efficiently while maintaining highway speeds.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 69.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,005 ft
615 ft
Total Climb
334 ft
Total Descent
599 ft
Highest Point
1,005 ft
~9.7 mi in
Elevation Range
390 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and South Stoughton Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near US 51 / South Stoughton Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 77.9 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 1.3 miles (US 51 / South Stoughton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (WI 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 51 / South Stoughton Road
Turn left onto US 51 / South Stoughton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
WI 30
Merge onto WI 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
6.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
76.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
6
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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 | 69.8 mi | 1h 17m |
| South Stoughton Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| WI 30 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| East-West Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Pflaum Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Nichols Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Milwaukee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Saint Paul Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 69.8 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and Milwaukee, 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 none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
5
Merge onto WI 30
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
WI 30
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto I 94
70 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
9
Turn slight right
309 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Jackson Street South
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Saint Paul Avenue
11
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Milwaukee Street
12
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though checking local traffic patterns on I 94 is always a smart move. Because the entire drive takes less than two hours, you likely won't need to plan for formal rest stops, allowing you to head straight through to your destination. Keep your $12 fuel estimate in mind when planning your budget, and ensure your tank is ready for the 77.9-mile haul. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from the local streets of Monona onto the WI 30 and I 94 corridors before you start your engine. This preparation will help you navigate the initial highway merging process smoothly.
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 39 miles from Monona, WI, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.8 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 77.9 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39 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 16m
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 Monona, 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 Monona, WI
This is one driving day of about 77.9 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monona, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 69.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39 mi from Monona, WI · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 77.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39 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 69.8 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
$11.83 one way
$23.66 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.04 | $26.09 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.71 | $29.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.31 | $34.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
| Efficient EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.91 | $4.99 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Milwaukee, WI
Evening in Milwaukee on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 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 Monona, WI to Milwaukee, WI covers 77.9 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, South Stoughton Road, WI 30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39 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 $11.83 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 77.9 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 1.3 miles (US 51 / South Stoughton Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (WI 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Monona, WI to Milwaukee, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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