How far is Madison, WI from Cottage Grove, WI?
The driving distance from Madison, WI to Cottage Grove, WI is about 15.4 miles (24.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.2 miles (16.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 21m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Cottage Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Cottage Grove.
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1
Start on University Avenue
97 m · 18 sec · University Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Brooks Street
132 m · 26 sec · North Brooks Street
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3
Turn left onto West Johnson Street
2.2 mi · 7 min · West Johnson Street
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4
Turn right onto North Baldwin Street
1058 ft · 38 sec · North Baldwin Street
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5
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Washington Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward WI 30 East
1304 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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8
Merge slight left
3.5 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
1821 ft · 44 sec
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10
Keep slight right
76 m · 6 sec
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11
Turn straight onto County Highway N
1.2 km · 1 min · County Highway N
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12
Continue on North Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Cottage Grove.
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.
WI 30 East
Merge slight left
3.49 mi · 00h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Madison and Chance Rain Showers near Cottage Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Cottage Grove?
The road trip is about 15.4 miles (24.8 km) and usually takes 00h 21m 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?
Burke is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7 miles from Madison and 8.5 miles from Cottage Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.2 miles (16.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 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 7:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.04 one way or $4.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Madison and Chance Rain Showers near Cottage Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Burke
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 Burke.
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Columbus
Portage
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Cottage Grove. Straight-line distance: 10.18 mi (16.38 km).
#1 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottage Grove
Civil town in Dane County, Wisconsin
| Population | 3,989 |
| Coordinates | 43.0761100, -89.1995600 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Main Street (-89.199693, 43.076099)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 25 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.04 | $4.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.30 | $4.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.51 | $5.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.86 | $5.73 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.