How far is Franklin, WI from Waukesha, WI?

The driving distance from Franklin, WI to Waukesha, WI is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
18.45 mi
00h 34m
Flight
12.95 mi
20.84 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Franklin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12.95 mi
Kilometers
20.84 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
18.45 mi
Kilometers
29.7 km
Drive Time
00h 34m

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 00h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukesha
Wed, Apr 15, 5:50 PM CDT
Return by in Franklin
Wed, Apr 15, 6:24 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Franklin
2026-04-15T17:15
Arrive Waukesha
Wed, Apr 15, 5:50 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:34 AM to 7:34 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Franklin
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
New Berlin
WI

A city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

From Franklin
9.2 mi
00h 17m
To Waukesha
9.3 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
60°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Franklin and Waukesha.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franklin and Waukesha.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    43 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    27 m · 8 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right

    117 m · 17 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Saint Martins Road

    765 ft · 15 sec · West Saint Martins Road

  5. 5

    Continue on South Lovers Lane Road

    4.4 mi · 8 min · South Lovers Lane Road

  6. 6

    Continue on South 108th Street

    2130 ft · 56 sec · South 108th Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West Layton Avenue

    1.1 mi · 3 min · West Layton Avenue

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward I 43 South

    2336 ft · 57 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Rock Freeway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Rock Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward CTH Y: Racine Avenue

    963 ft · 16 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on CTH Y North, I 43 Alternate South: Racine Avenue

    133 m · 11 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto South Racine Avenue

    6.4 mi · 13 min · South Racine Avenue

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Broadway

    2401 ft · 1 min · East Broadway

  14. 14

    Continue on West Broadway

    579 ft · 23 sec · West Broadway

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto North Barstow Street

    556 ft · 27 sec · North Barstow Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    673 ft · 14 sec · West Main Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Franklin and Waukesha.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
91.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Racine Avenue
6.43 mi · 35%
South Lovers Lane Road
4.43 mi · 24%
Rock Freeway
4.32 mi · 23%
West Layton Avenue
1.1 mi · 6%
East Broadway
0.45 mi · 2%
I 43 South
0.44 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

South Racine Avenue

Turn straight onto South Racine Avenue

6.43 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 34m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.6 mi
12.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Berlin
00h 17m from Franklin
Leave By
7:22 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Franklin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukesha.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Franklin to Waukesha?

The road trip is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

New Berlin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.2 miles from Franklin and 9.3 miles from Waukesha.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 12.9 miles (20.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.45 one way or $4.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Franklin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukesha.

Stop Ideas Near New Berlin

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around New Berlin and the surrounding midpoint area.
Milwaukee City Hall
Scenic stop 12.7 mi away

Milwaukee City Hall

Milwaukee , WI
200 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, United States
Rating 4.4/5 84 reviews Tourist attraction,City or town hall
West Allis City Hall
Meeting point 7.7 mi away

West Allis City Hall

West Allis , WI
7525 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis, WI 53214
Rating 4.1/5 38 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Square Apartments
Nearby stop 12.6 mi away

City Hall Square Apartments

Milwaukee , WI
104 E Mason St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Rating 3.0/5 28 reviews Apartment building,Property management company

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Berlin.

RAIL

Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station

15 mi away
5601 South 6th Street
RAIL

Milwaukee Intermodal Station

17 mi away
433 West St. Paul Ave.
RAIL

Sturtevant station

33 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court
BUS

Janesville, Wisconsin

78 mi away
3120 North Pontiac Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Franklin and Waukesha. Straight-line distance: 12.95 mi (20.84 km).

Franklin

#1 Franklin

Third-class city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Population36,222
Coordinates42.8886300, -88.0384200
Altitude244
CountryUnited States
Waukesha

#2 Waukesha

City in and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

Population8,939
Coordinates43.0116800, -88.2314800
Altitude248
CountryUnited States
Start: Franklin (-88.03842, 42.88863)
End: Waukesha (-88.23148, 43.01168)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 30 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.65 gal
2.47 L · about $2.45
Round trip
$4.90
1.3 gal · 4.94 L
Estimated CO2
5.8 kg one way
Round trip: 11.6 kg / 26 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $2.45 $4.90
Mid-grade $4.25 $2.76 $5.53
Premium $4.65 $3.03 $6.05
Diesel $5.30 $3.45 $6.90

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Franklin and Waukesha. The current time is 17:15:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.