Origin
Waupun, WI
Evening in Waupun on Wednesday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waupun, WI to Milwaukee, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
70.6 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waupun, WI
Tom Fisk
Milwaukee, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 70.6-mile drive from Waupun, WI to Milwaukee, WI takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and is easily manageable as a day trip. You'll primarily be on Interstate 41, with a portion on State Highway 49 and the East-West Freeway, making it a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, this short hop through the Midwest is budget-friendly. It's a convenient route for a quick visit or to connect between two Wisconsin locations without significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Waupun, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 47.3 miles on I-41, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your trip. While primarily interstate, you'll encounter State Highway 49 and the East-West Freeway, which may offer a slight change in scenery and speed before you reach your destination. This route is designed for efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
63 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
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 38A-B
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
9
63.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwauk...
6
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
I 794 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794 / East-West Freeway toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
6
69.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
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 Waupun, WI to Milwaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
63 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 47.3 mi | 53m |
| State Highway 49 | 11.5 mi | 17m |
| East-West Freeway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| North Milwaukee Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Saint Paul Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 47.3 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waupun, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
1
Start on WI 49; US 151 Business
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on WI 49
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 49
3
Continue on Main Street
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
4
Continue on State Highway 49
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 49
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto I 41; US 41
47 mi
·
53 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 38A-B
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 94
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East-West Freeway
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 1E
Toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
13
Turn slight right
309 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Jackson Street South
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Saint Paul Avenue
15
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Milwaukee Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 30-minute duration, this trip offers flexibility, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the earliest rush. Since there are no specific recommended stops, you can easily complete this drive without needing to plan for extended breaks, though rest areas are available along I-41 if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-41 is over 47 miles, and it's wise to fill up before departing Waupun if your tank is low.
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 35.3 miles from Waupun, WI, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 16 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 47m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milwaukee, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waupun, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waupun, WI
This is one driving day of about 70.6 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Waupun, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.3 mi from Waupun, WI · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.3 miles from Waupun, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Milwaukee, WI
The final approach into Milwaukee, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.04 one way
$22.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.12 | $24.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.59 | $27.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.41 | $3.39 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.18 | $2.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.88 | $4.52 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Milwaukee, WI
Evening in Milwaukee on Wednesday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Butler, WI
35 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
21 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
1h 30m 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 Waupun, WI to Milwaukee, WI covers 70.6 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, State Highway 49, East-West Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.3 miles from Waupun, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.04 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Waupun, WI to Milwaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
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