How far is Franklin, WI from Altoona, WI?
The driving distance from Franklin, WI to Altoona, WI is about 247.1 miles (397.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.2 miles (346.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 35m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Altoona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Altoona.
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1
Start on the route
43 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right
27 m · 8 sec
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3
At the end of the road, turn right
117 m · 17 sec
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4
Turn left onto West Saint Martins Road
765 ft · 15 sec · West Saint Martins Road
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5
Continue on South Lovers Lane Road
4.4 mi · 8 min · South Lovers Lane Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 43 North, US 45 North
2070 ft · 53 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Rock Freeway
1224 ft · 19 sec · Rock Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
3078 ft · 55 sec
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9
Merge slight right onto Zoo Freeway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
937 ft · 16 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
3267 ft · 56 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
665 ft · 11 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29.1 mi · 31 min
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16
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
1027 ft · 19 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
2757 ft · 36 sec
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20
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 12: Clairemont Avenue
2256 ft · 55 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
675 ft · 17 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
135 m · 11 sec
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24
Turn straight onto US 12
1183 ft · 22 sec · US 12
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25
Turn slight left
634 ft · 26 sec
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26
Turn left onto 10th Street West
2865 ft · 1 min · 10th Street West
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27
Turn right onto Bartlett Avenue
159 m · 28 sec · Bartlett Avenue
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28
Turn left onto 9th Street West
104 m · 17 sec · 9th Street West
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29
Turn right onto Garfield Avenue
682 ft · 30 sec · Garfield Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Garfield Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Altoona.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 94 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Franklin and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Altoona?
The road trip is about 247.1 miles (397.6 km) and usually takes 04h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lake Delton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.4 miles from Franklin and 123.7 miles from Altoona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.2 miles (346.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.88 one way or $65.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Franklin and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Delton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Delton.
Wisconsin Dells
Portage
Westfield, WI
Madison, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 215.17 mi (346.28 km).
#1 Franklin
Third-class city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Population | 36,222 |
| Coordinates | 42.8886300, -88.0384200 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Altoona
City in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
| Population | 8,062 |
| Coordinates | 44.8046800, -91.4432100 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altoona (-91.44321, 44.80468)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 398 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.88 | $65.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.09 | $74.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.58 | $81.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.25 | $92.50 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Wisconsin · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.