Origin
New Richmond, WI
Late night in New Richmond on Saturday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Richmond, WI to Franklin, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 54m
Distance
316.2 mi
509 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 41m
★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Richmond, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 316.2 miles across Wisconsin, this trip from New Richmond to Franklin is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes to complete. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget about $48 for fuel to cover the distance. While it is certainly possible to tackle this 316.2-mile stretch in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel since there is no highway travel involved. You will navigate through the heart of the Midwest, transitioning from the northern reaches of the state down toward the southeastern corner. It is a practical route for those who prefer backroads over the monotony of major interstates, provided you have the patience for a slower, more deliberate pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.1 miles from New Richmond, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 316.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on experience as you navigate this route, which features zero percent highway travel. You will spend your time on local roads like South Knowles Avenue and Highway 65, navigating a series of turns that require your full attention throughout the nearly six-hour drive. Passing through areas like Eau Claire, the road demands a steady hand and constant engagement compared to a standard interstate cruise. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, the character of the road remains consistent rather than alternating between high-speed stretches and local transitions. You won't find long, uninterrupted segments here, so plan on a drive that feels more like a scenic, tactical navigation through the Wisconsin countryside.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 292.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 241.2 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 316.2 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 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
241.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
305.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 35m 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
306 mi into trip
|
~5h 36m 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...
8
311.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m 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
311.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 292.5 mi | 5h 14m |
| State Highway 65 | 10.1 mi | 14m |
| US 45 | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| Zoo Freeway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| South Knowles Avenue | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| WI 65 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 292.5 mi, about 5h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Richmond, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on CTH K
259 ft
·
12 sec
·
East 1st Street
2
Turn left onto WI 65
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Knowles Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on WI 65
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 65
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
127 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 65
5
Continue on WI 65
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 65
6
Turn slight right onto WI 65
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 65
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
231 ft
·
13 sec
·
State Highway 65
8
Continue on WI 65
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 65
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
110 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 65
10
Continue on WI 65
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 65
11
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
State Highway 65
12
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
94 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
13
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
14
Enter roundabout
293 ft
·
17 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
15
Continue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
16
Merge onto I 94
228 mi
·
4 hr 4 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
22
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 45
Exit 4
Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
24
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.
25
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.
26
Turn right
87 ft
·
8 sec
27
Turn right
160 ft
·
11 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your energy up during this 5-hour and 54-minute trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the winding local roads. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid fatigue, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing than typical highway driving. Since you will be spending $48 on fuel, it is wise to keep an eye on your gauge while passing through larger hubs like Eau Claire to ensure you don't run low in more rural sections. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this journey, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a quick reset. Focus on maintaining a steady pace, as the lack of highway miles means your total travel time is highly dependent on how efficiently you navigate the turns along Highway 65.
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 158.1 miles from New Richmond, WI, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 292.5 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 70 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.1 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 45m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, WI
This is one driving day of about 316.2 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from New Richmond, 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 94 for about 292.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.1 mi from New Richmond, WI · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.1 miles from New Richmond, 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 292.5 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.95 one way
$85.90 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $47.93 | $95.86 |
| premium | $4.15 | $51.66 | $103.33 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $46.68 | $93.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.20 | $15.18 |
| Efficient EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.67 | $12.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.5 | 1 | $44.27 | $20.24 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Late night in Franklin on Saturday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Adams, WI
158 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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 54m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New Richmond, WI to Franklin, WI covers 316.2 miles and takes about 5h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, State Highway 65, US 45. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.1 miles from New Richmond, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.95 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 316.2 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 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from New Richmond, WI to Franklin, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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