How far is Franklin, WI from Lancaster, WI?
The driving distance from Franklin, WI to Lancaster, WI is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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 03h 30m.
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.
City in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Lancaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Lancaster.
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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 left to continue on I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
1264 ft · 15 sec
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
1377 ft · 23 sec
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17
Merge slight right
3.2 mi · 3 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
1.4 km · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto South Beltline Highway
8.2 mi · 11 min · South Beltline Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
38.1 mi · 46 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West: Dodgeville, Prairie du Chien
1.4 km · 1 min
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Dodgeville Expressway
41 m · 6 sec · Dodgeville Expressway
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Dodgeville Expressway
2 mi · 3 min · Dodgeville Expressway
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24
Continue on US Highway 18
8.4 mi · 12 min · US Highway 18
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25
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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26
Continue on US Highway 18
15.6 mi · 22 min · US Highway 18
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27
Continue on 12th Street
2616 ft · 1 min · 12th Street
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28
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
9.1 mi · 13 min · Lincoln Avenue
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29
Turn left onto State Highway 129
1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 129
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30
Turn right onto County Road A
2559 ft · 51 sec · County Road A
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31
Continue on East Elm Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East Elm Street
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32
Continue on County Road A
582 ft · 14 sec · County Road A
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33
Turn left onto North Madison Street
723 ft · 27 sec · North Madison Street
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34
Turn right onto West Maple Street
97 m · 16 sec · West Maple Street
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35
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
54 m · 6 sec · South Jefferson Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Lancaster.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
East-West Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Patchy Fog leaving Franklin and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Lancaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Lancaster?
The road trip is about 165.6 miles (266.5 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Monona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.6 miles from Franklin and 83 miles from Lancaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.3 miles (217.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.02 one way or $44.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Franklin and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Lancaster.
Stop Ideas Near Monona
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 Monona.
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Columbus
Janesville, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 135.35 mi (217.82 km).
#1 Franklin
Third-class city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
| Population | 36,222 |
| Coordinates | 42.8886300, -88.0384200 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lancaster
City in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 3,700 |
| Coordinates | 42.8474900, -90.7106800 |
| Altitude | 335 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lancaster (-90.71068, 42.84749)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.02 | $44.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.84 | $49.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.18 | $54.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.98 | $61.95 |
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 · Apr 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.