How far is Milwaukee, WI from Colfax, WI?

The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Colfax, WI is about 268.6 miles (432.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 233.1 miles (375.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 53m 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
268.63 mi
04h 56m
Flight
233.09 mi
375.12 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
233.09 mi
Kilometers
375.12 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
268.63 mi
Kilometers
432.32 km
Drive Time
04h 56m

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 04h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colfax
Thu, Apr 23, 7:42 AM CDT
Return by in Milwaukee
Thu, Apr 23, 12:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Milwaukee
2026-04-23T02:46
Arrive Colfax
Thu, Apr 23, 7:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:06 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

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
Lemonweir
WI

Town in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States

From Milwaukee
134.2 mi
02h 28m
To Colfax
134.5 mi
02h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

    94.9 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12, WI 29, WI 40: Colfax, Elk Mound

    1703 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.2 km · 57 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East, WI 40 North: Colfax, Elk Mound

    1637 ft · 45 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 40

    7.8 mi · 11 min · State Highway 40

  15. 15

    Continue on Main Street

    2597 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 West
94.9 mi · 35%
I 39 North
92.6 mi · 34%
East-West Freeway
70.9 mi · 26%
State Highway 40
7.77 mi · 3%
Main Street
0.49 mi
US 12
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

I 94 West

Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

94.9 mi · 01h 42m

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
04h 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.5 mi
233.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lemonweir
02h 28m from Milwaukee
Leave By
7:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 268.6 miles (432.3 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?

Lemonweir is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.2 miles from Milwaukee and 134.5 miles from Colfax.

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

The direct path is about 233.1 miles (375.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 7:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.75 one way or $71.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lemonweir

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

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

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

26 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

44 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
RAIL

Tomah

45 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

Portage

51 mi away
400 West Oneida Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 233.09 mi (375.12 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Colfax

Village in Dunn County, Wisconsin

Population1,244
Coordinates44.9974600, -91.7271200
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: Milwaukee (-87.90647, 43.0389)
End: Colfax (-91.72712, 44.99746)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 432 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.48 gal
35.88 L · about $35.75
Round trip
$71.50
18.96 gal · 71.76 L
Estimated CO2
84.2 kg one way
Round trip: 168.5 kg / 371 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.75 $71.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.32 $80.64
Premium $4.65 $44.12 $88.24
Diesel $5.30 $50.28 $100.56

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 Milwaukee and Colfax. The current time is 02:46:19.

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.