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Trip from New Berlin, WI to Franklin, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

206 mi

331 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 49m

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

city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

New Berlin, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Franklin, WI, WI

Franklin, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from New Berlin, WI to Franklin, WI covers 206 miles and takes about 3h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, East-West Freeway, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.5 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.21 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

103 miles from New Berlin, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 206 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 57m highway drive covering 206 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and East-West Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.5 miles on I 90.

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 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 206 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 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

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 straight / slight right lanes.
9
64.1 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
93.2 mi into trip | ~1h 43m in | I 90; I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
156.7 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
187.2 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in

Take the exit toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls

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

Exit 116 Toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids,...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between New Berlin, WI and Franklin, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul and Black River Falls.

Eau Claire

64.1 mi in | ~1h 12m | via I 94

Saint Paul

156.7 mi in | ~2h 51m | via I 94

Black River Falls

187.2 mi in | ~3h 24m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 63.5 mi 1h 8m
East-West Freeway 60.2 mi 1h 4m
I 94 59.6 mi 1h 3m
County Highway C 14.5 mi 25m
South Moorland Road 3.3 mi 6m
East Main Street 1.9 mi 3m
County Road C 1.2 mi 2m
Melrose Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 63.5 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Berlin, WI and Franklin, 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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

54 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

29 mi · 31 min · I 94
Exit 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

30 mi · 32 min · I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 116 Toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls
10

Keep slight left at fork

127 ft · 5 sec
11

Turn left onto WI 54

1.9 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
12

Turn left onto WI 54

0.1 mi · 10 sec · South 10th Street
13

Turn right onto WI 54

0.8 mi · 1 min · Melrose Street
14

Turn right onto CTH C

14 mi · 25 min · County Highway C
15

Continue on CTH C

1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road C
16

Turn right onto Beck Road

59 ft · 2 sec · Beck Road
17

Arrive at destination

Beck Road

Trip Plan

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 103 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.5 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 45 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103 miles or 1h 53m 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 4m

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 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 206 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from New Berlin, 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 90 for about 63.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 103 mi from New Berlin, WI · 1h 53m into the drive

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

103 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

Delavan, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103 miles from New Berlin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.5 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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Franklin, 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

$32.21 one way

$64.41 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $35.36 $70.72
premium $4.89 $39.64 $79.29
diesel $5.61 $45.48 $90.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.8 0 $21.63 $9.89
Efficient EV 51.5 0 $18.03 $8.24
EV Truck/SUV 82.4 1 $28.84 $13.18

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

New Berlin, WI

Evening in New Berlin on Thursday

Local time

5:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Franklin, WI

Evening in Franklin on Thursday

Local time

5:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°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

19 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

3h 57m 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 Franklin, WI covers 206 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, East-West Freeway, I 94. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103 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 $32.21 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 206 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 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between New Berlin, WI and Franklin, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul and Black River Falls.

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Return Trip

Franklin, WI to New Berlin, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

205.7 mi 3h 56m

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

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