Origin
New Richmond, WI
Evening in New Richmond on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 54m
Distance
316.2 mi
509 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Richmond, WI
Tom Fisk
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
The drive from New Richmond, WI to Franklin, WI covers 316.2 miles and takes about 5h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Knowles Avenue, Highway 65, Eau Claire for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.03 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 57m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 54m drive with frequent turns across 316.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 54m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from New Richmond, WI to Franklin, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Knowles Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Eau Claire | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 41 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 41 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Zoo Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 43 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between New Richmond, WI and Franklin, WI.
Start on East 1st Street
Turn left onto South Knowles Avenue
Continue on State Highway 65
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65
Turn slight right
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward State Highway 65
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65
Continue on State Highway 65
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 65
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 65
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eau Claire, Madison
Exit the roundabout onto Eau Claire, Madison
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
Take the exit slight left toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
Keep slight right to continue on WI 100 South, US 45 South
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.1 miles or 2h 57m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, WI than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.1 mi from New Richmond, WI · 2h 57m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 158.1 miles from New Richmond, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$48.03 one way
$96.06 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $52.94 | $105.89 |
| premium | $4.80 | $59.69 | $119.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $70.25 | $140.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in New Richmond on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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