How far is Milwaukee, WI from Clifton, WI?

The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Clifton, WI is about 158.5 miles (255.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.9 miles (218.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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
158.51 mi
03h 09m
Flight
135.91 mi
218.72 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Milwaukee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.91 mi
Kilometers
218.72 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
158.51 mi
Kilometers
255.1 km
Drive Time
03h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clifton
Fri, May 1, 10:05 AM CDT
Return by in Milwaukee
Fri, May 1, 1:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Milwaukee
2026-05-01T06:56
Arrive Clifton
Fri, May 1, 10:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:09 AM to 11:09 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
10:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Milwaukee
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Windsor
WI

Village in Dane County, Wisconsin , United States

From Milwaukee
79.1 mi
01h 34m
To Clifton
79.4 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Friday

Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph N
Destination
53°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Milwaukee Street

    14 m · 9 sec · North Milwaukee Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue

    671 ft · 25 sec · East Wisconsin Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Jackson Street

    894 ft · 29 sec · North Jackson Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 794 West

    1550 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight right onto East-West Freeway

    1269 ft · 22 sec · East-West Freeway

  6. 6

    Continue on East-West Freeway

    17.1 mi · 22 min · East-West Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

    29.1 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    47 mi · 50 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon

    1157 ft · 28 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    25 m · 7 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East Bridge Street

    2 mi · 5 min · East Bridge Street

  13. 13

    Continue on County Road A

    3.9 mi · 9 min · County Road A

  14. 14

    Continue on Main Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on County Road A

    1.6 mi · 4 min · County Road A

  16. 16

    Continue on County Highway A

    2.3 mi · 6 min · County Highway A

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Highway A

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
76.1 mi · 48%
East-West Freeway
70.9 mi · 45%
County Road A
5.56 mi · 4%
County Highway A
2.28 mi · 1%
East Bridge Street
1.95 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.87 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.6 mi
135.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Windsor
01h 34m from Milwaukee
Leave By
10:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny leaving Milwaukee and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Clifton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 158.5 miles (255.1 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?

Windsor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.1 miles from Milwaukee and 79.4 miles from Clifton.

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

The direct path is about 135.9 miles (218.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.08 one way or $42.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny around Milwaukee and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Clifton.

Stop Ideas Near Windsor

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Windsor, 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 Windsor.

BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

17 mi away
800 Langdon St.
BUS

Madison (South), Wisconsin

19 mi away
Hwy 51 & East Broadway Ave.
RAIL

Columbus

30 mi away
359 North Ludington Street
RAIL

Portage

38 mi away
400 West Oneida Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 135.91 mi (218.72 km).

Milwaukee

#1 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
Clifton

#2 Clifton

Town in Wisconsin, United States

Population2,097
Coordinates43.8791300, -90.3568000
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Start: Milwaukee (-87.90647, 43.0389)
End: Clifton (-90.3568, 43.87913)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 255 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.59 gal
21.17 L · about $21.08
Round trip
$42.16
11.18 gal · 42.34 L
Estimated CO2
49.7 kg one way
Round trip: 99.4 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.08 $42.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.77 $47.55
Premium $4.65 $26.02 $52.03
Diesel $5.30 $29.65 $59.30

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Milwaukee and Clifton. The current time is 06:56:24.

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.