How far is Independence, WI from Milwaukee, WI?

The driving distance from Independence, WI to Milwaukee, WI is about 232.2 miles (373.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
232.2 mi
03h 39m
Flight
197.73 mi
318.21 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
197.73 mi
Kilometers
318.21 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
232.2 mi
Kilometers
373.69 km
Drive Time
03h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Milwaukee
Thu, Apr 23, 5:54 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 9:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-23T02:15
Arrive Milwaukee
Thu, Apr 23, 5:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Lake Delton
WI

Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

From Independence
115.9 mi
01h 49m
To Milwaukee
116.3 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Milwaukee.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Milwaukee.

  1. 1

    Start on Railroad Street

    31 m · 6 sec · Railroad Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 1st Street

    21 m · 2 sec · 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    65 m · 7 sec · Washington Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Osseo Road

    1931 ft · 54 sec · Osseo Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Whitehall Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Whitehall Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Dewey Street

    4.1 mi · 7 min · Dewey Street

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street

    7.2 mi · 10 min · Main Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 121

    5.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 121

  10. 10

    Continue on WI 121

    3149 ft · 1 min · WI 121

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right

    1144 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    140.4 mi · 2 hr 31 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee

    70.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · East-West Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street

    1312 ft · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Turn slight right onto Jackson Street South

    94 m · 15 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue

    671 ft · 24 sec · East Saint Paul Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North Milwaukee Street

    1381 ft · 47 sec · North Milwaukee Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Milwaukee Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Milwaukee.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
WI 121
141 mi · 61%
I 94
70.7 mi · 30%
Main Street
7.15 mi · 3%
State Highway 121
5.1 mi · 2%
Dewey Street
4.12 mi · 2%
Whitehall Road
1.21 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

WI 121

Merge slight left

140 mi · 02h 31m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.5 mi
197.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Delton
01h 49m from Independence
Leave By
9:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Milwaukee.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Independence to Milwaukee?

The road trip is about 232.2 miles (373.7 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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 115.9 miles from Independence and 116.3 miles from Milwaukee.

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

The direct path is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 9:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.88 one way or $61.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Milwaukee.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Delton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lake Delton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Delton.

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

3 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

27 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

40 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

67 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Milwaukee. Straight-line distance: 197.73 mi (318.21 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

City in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin United States

Population1,291
Coordinates44.3569100, -91.4204300
Altitude238
CountryUnited States
Milwaukee

#2 Milwaukee

The thirtieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Population589,067
Coordinates43.0389000, -87.9064700
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Start: Railroad Street (-91.420375, 44.356789)
End: North Milwaukee Street (-87.906566, 43.038895)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 374 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.19 gal
31.02 L · about $30.88
Round trip
$61.77
16.38 gal · 62.04 L
Estimated CO2
72.8 kg one way
Round trip: 145.6 kg / 321 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.88 $61.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.83 $69.66
Premium $4.65 $38.12 $76.23
Diesel $5.30 $43.44 $86.88

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Milwaukee. The current time is 02:15:25.

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.