Origin
Waukesha, WI
Afternoon in Waukesha on Wednesday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
34m
Distance
18.7 mi
30 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waukesha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI covers 18.7 miles and takes about 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Barstow Street, West Broadway, North Racine Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.92 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
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
9.3 miles from Waukesha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 34m drive with frequent turns across 18.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Barstow Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI is easy. At 34m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Barstow Street | — | — |
| West Broadway | — | — |
| North Racine Avenue | — | — |
| South Racine Avenue | — | — |
| I 43 North | — | — |
| Rock Freeway | — | — |
| Layton Avenue | — | — |
| West Layton Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Barstow Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukesha, WI and Franklin, WI.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto North Barstow Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Barstow Street
3
Turn slight left onto West Broadway
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Broadway
4
Continue on West Broadway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway
5
Turn right onto North Racine Avenue
6.4 mi
·
12 min
·
North Racine Avenue
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Racine Avenue
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Racine Avenue
7
Exit the roundabout onto South Racine Avenue
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
South Racine Avenue
8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 43 North
236 ft
·
5 sec
·
I 43 North
9
Exit the roundabout onto I 43 North
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 43 North
10
Merge slight left onto Rock Freeway
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Rock Freeway
11
Take the exit slight left toward Layton Avenue
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Layton Avenue
12
Continue on West Layton Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Layton Avenue
13
Turn right onto South 108th Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
South 108th Street
14
Continue on South Lovers Lane Road
4.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Lovers Lane Road
15
Continue on West Saint Martins Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Saint Martins Road
16
Turn right
85 ft
·
8 sec
17
Turn right
161 ft
·
12 sec
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 9.3 miles from Waukesha, WI, or about 17m into the drive.
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 18.7 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.3 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Waukesha, WI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waukesha, WI
This is one driving day of about 18.7 miles and 34m.
At 18.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.3 mi from Waukesha, WI · 17m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.3 miles from Waukesha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Franklin, WI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Franklin, WI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.92 one way
$5.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.21 | $6.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.13 | $8.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.96 | $0.90 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.62 | $1.20 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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.
Destination
Franklin, WI
Afternoon in Franklin on Wednesday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
34m 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 Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI covers 18.7 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Barstow Street, West Broadway, North Racine Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.3 miles from Waukesha, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.92 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.
The drive from Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI is easy. At 34m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Waukesha, WI to Franklin, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Franklin, WI
More from Waukesha, WI
More trips to Franklin, WI
Explore more options from Waukesha, WI or browse trips ending in Franklin, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for Waukesha, WI or Franklin, WI on MapSof.net.