How far is Madison, WI from Waunakee, WI?
The driving distance from Madison, WI to Waunakee, WI is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.6 miles (13.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 45m 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 22m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Third-class city in Dane County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Waunakee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Waunakee.
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1
Start on University Avenue
2469 ft · 2 min · University Avenue
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2
Continue on Campus Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · Campus Drive
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3
Continue on University Avenue
3 mi · 7 min · University Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Allen Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Allen Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Century Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Century Avenue
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6
Turn left onto County Highway Q
4 mi · 7 min · County Highway Q
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7
Continue on South Century Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · South Century Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Main Street
4 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
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9
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
1605 ft · 55 sec · West Main Street
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Waunakee.
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.
County Highway Q
Turn left onto County Highway Q
4 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Madison and Partly Sunny near Waunakee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Waunakee?
The road trip is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km) and usually takes 00h 22m 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?
Middleton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.3 miles from Madison and 6.3 miles from Waunakee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.6 miles (13.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.70 one way or $3.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Madison and Partly Sunny near Waunakee.
Stop Ideas Near Middleton
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 Middleton.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Columbus
Portage
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Waunakee. Straight-line distance: 8.66 mi (13.94 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 Waunakee
Village in Dane County, Wisconsin
| Population | 14,188 |
| Coordinates | 43.1919400, -89.4556700 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Main Street (-89.45567, 43.191948)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 20 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.70 | $3.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.91 | $3.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.09 | $4.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.39 | $4.77 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.