If you are planning a trip from Sauk City to Franklin, Wisconsin, expect a straightforward journey covering 103.5 miles. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will navigate primarily via Phillips Boulevard, Highway 19, and West Main Street rather than sticking to major interstates. Budget approximately $16 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the distance is manageable, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination with ease in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.8 miles from Sauk City, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 103.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies entirely on local roads, meaning your highway share is 0%. You will find yourself navigating through changing road conditions as you transition between these specific thoroughfares. The experience is best described as a winding, technical drive rather than a high-speed cruise. Stay alert, as the absence of long, straight highway stretches requires your full attention throughout the duration of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 64.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Phillips Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.5 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 103.5 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 28.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
28.5 mi into trip|~41m 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
92.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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
98.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
98.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sauk City, WI to Franklin, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
92.7 mi in|~1h 50m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
Phillips Boulevard
10.9 mi
15m
State Highway 19
8.1 mi
11m
I 39
6.3 mi
6m
US 45
5.8 mi
10m
Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi
4m
West Main Street
1.8 mi
4m
WI 19
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sauk City, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on WI 60; WI 78; US 12 Business
26 ft·9 sec·Water Street
2
Turn right onto US 12
11 mi·15 min·Phillips Boulevard
3
Turn left onto WI 19
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 19
4
Continue on WI 19
0.7 mi·1 min·West Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto WI 19; WI 113
115 ft·6 sec·West Main Street
6
Continue on WI 19; WI 113
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on WI 19; WI 113
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 19
8
Enter roundabout onto WI 19
136 ft·7 sec·State Highway 19
9
Continue on WI 19
2.4 mi·3 min·State Highway 19
10
Enter roundabout onto WI 19
143 ft·8 sec·WI 19
11
Continue on WI 19
0.9 mi·1 min·WI 19
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, I 94 East: MadisonUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
6.3 mi·6 min·I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
19
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
3.5 mi·4 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi·1 min·US 45
Exit 4Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
21
Take the exit onto US 45
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 45
Exit 60Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th StreetUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
4.8 mi·9 min·US 45
Toward WI 100 South, US 45 SouthUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right
87 ft·8 sec
24
Turn right
160 ft·11 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 103.5-mile journey without needing to schedule formal stops, though you should keep your $16 fuel budget in mind before you head out. Because the route is composed of local roads rather than major highways, check your navigation apps for real-time traffic updates on Phillips Boulevard and Highway 19 before you leave. Avoid rushing, as the turn-heavy nature of the path makes consistent speeds difficult to maintain. Using the local road network provides a great way to traverse the region, but remain mindful of typical local traffic patterns as you approach Franklin.
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 51.8 miles from Sauk City, WI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 23 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.8 miles or 1h 6m 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 42m
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 Sauk City, 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 Sauk City, WI
This is one driving day of about 103.5 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Sauk City, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 64.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.8 mi from Sauk City, WI
· 1h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.18 one way
$32.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.77
$35.53
premium
$4.89
$19.92
$39.84
diesel
$5.61
$22.85
$45.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31
0
$10.87
$4.97
Efficient EV
25.9
0
$9.06
$4.14
EV Truck/SUV
41.4
0
$14.49
$6.62
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Sauk City, WI
Afternoon
in Sauk City on Friday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Franklin, WI
Afternoon
in Franklin on Friday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
1 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
2h 9m 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 Sauk City, WI to Franklin, WI covers 103.5 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, Phillips Boulevard, State Highway 19. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.8 miles from Sauk City, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.18 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 19 significant decision points across 103.5 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 28.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Sauk City, WI to Franklin, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
