Trip from New Berlin, WI to Dunkirk, WI

Drive Time

1h 33m

Distance

76.1 mi

123 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 27m ★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown New Berlin, WI, WI

New Berlin, WI

Esteban Arango

Downtown Dunkirk, WI, WI

Dunkirk, WI

Jan van der Wolf

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick excursion through Wisconsin, the 76.1-mile journey from New Berlin to Dunkirk is an efficient choice. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting around $12 for fuel should comfortably cover your travel costs for this Midwest transit. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, ensuring a straightforward path between these two points. Since the entire trip takes place within the state, you won't need to worry about changing travel regulations or regional logistics. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.

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

38.1 miles from New Berlin, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined by a highway-focused profile, with about 73% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 55.9 miles along the East-West Freeway. Beyond the freeway, your path transitions onto South Moorland Road and County Highway N to reach your final destination. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than a leisurely backroads cruise. Staying attentive during the heavy freeway segments is key, as the character of the drive remains functional and direct for the vast majority of the 1 hour and 33 minutes behind the wheel.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East-West Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 55.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and County Highway N. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CTH O / South Moorland Road.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 (CTH O / South Moorland Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | CTH O / South Moorland Road

Turn sharp right onto CTH O / South Moorland Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 94 / East-West Freeway

Merge onto I 94 / East-West Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
10.6 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 94 / East-West Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
59.8 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Take the exit toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 244 Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
5
60.1 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | CTH N / County Highway N

Enter roundabout onto CTH N / County Highway N

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Along This Route

Between New Berlin, WI and Dunkirk, WI, road signs point toward Cth N: Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove.

Cth N: Sun Prairie

59.8 mi in | ~1h 7m

Cottage Grove

59.8 mi in | ~1h 7m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East-West Freeway 55.9 mi 59m
County Highway N 10 mi 14m
South Moorland Road 3.3 mi 6m
County Road N 3.3 mi 6m
North Main Street 1.8 mi 2m
Veterans Road 0.9 mi 1m
West National Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: East-West Freeway — 55.9 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Berlin, WI and Dunkirk, WI.

1

Start on West National Avenue

69 ft · 1 sec · West National Avenue
2

Turn sharp right onto CTH O

3.3 mi · 6 min · South Moorland Road
Use the none lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4

Merge onto I 94

6.7 mi · 7 min · East-West Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

49 mi · 52 min · East-West Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 244 Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

200 ft · 3 sec · County Highway N
8

Continue on CTH N

511 ft · 8 sec · County Highway N
9

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

90 ft · 1 sec · County Highway N
10

Continue on CTH N

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Highway N
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on CTH N

1.8 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
12

Continue on CTH N

4.8 mi · 6 min · County Highway N
13

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

188 ft · 4 sec · County Highway N
14

Continue on CTH N

0.1 mi · 11 sec · County Highway N
15

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

160 ft · 3 sec · County Highway N
16

Continue on CTH N

0.2 mi · 27 sec · County Highway N
17

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

138 ft · 3 sec · County Highway N
18

Continue on CTH N

2.4 mi · 3 min · County Highway N
19

Continue on CTH B; CTH N

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Road N
20

Continue on CTH N

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Highway N
21

Continue on CTH N; CTH A

0.9 mi · 1 min · Veterans Road
22

Continue on CTH N

1.8 mi · 4 min · County Road N
23

Arrive at destination

CTH N

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the East-West Freeway, which carries the bulk of your travel time. Since the entire 76.1-mile route is designed to be completed in one go, there is no need to plan for intermediate rest stops unless you prefer a break. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the freeway, as finding a convenient station is easiest while still within the New Berlin area. Prioritize a steady pace once you hit the 55.9-mile freeway stretch to make the most of your travel window.

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 38.1 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 76.1 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.1 miles or 44m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunkirk, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving New Berlin, 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 New Berlin, WI

This is one driving day of about 76.1 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Berlin, 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 East-West Freeway for about 55.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.1 mi from New Berlin, WI · 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

38 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.1 miles from New Berlin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Dunkirk, WI

The final approach into Dunkirk, 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 Dunkirk, 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

$11.56 one way

$23.12 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $12.74 $25.48
premium $4.80 $14.37 $28.73
diesel $5.64 $16.91 $33.81

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: 26.6 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 22.8 0 $7.99 $3.65
Efficient EV 19 0 $6.66 $3.04
EV Truck/SUV 30.4 0 $10.65 $4.87

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

New Berlin, WI

Afternoon in New Berlin on Sunday

Local time

3:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dunkirk, WI

Afternoon in Dunkirk on Sunday

Local time

3:08 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

18 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 33m 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 New Berlin, WI to Dunkirk, WI covers 76.1 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East-West Freeway, County Highway N, South Moorland Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.1 miles from New Berlin, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.56 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 76.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 (CTH O / South Moorland Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between New Berlin, WI and Dunkirk, WI, road signs point toward Cth N: Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove.

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Return Trip

Dunkirk, WI to New Berlin, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

75.8 mi 1h 33m

Explore more options from New Berlin, WI or browse trips ending in Dunkirk, WI.

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