How far is Milwaukee, WI from Cross Plains, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Cross Plains, WI is about 98.8 miles (159 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Cross Plains.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Cross Plains.
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1
Start on North Milwaukee Street
14 m · 9 sec · North Milwaukee Street
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2
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue
671 ft · 25 sec · East Wisconsin Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
894 ft · 29 sec · North Jackson Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 794 West
1550 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto East-West Freeway
1269 ft · 22 sec · East-West Freeway
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6
Continue on East-West Freeway
17.1 mi · 22 min · East-West Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
1264 ft · 15 sec
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
1377 ft · 23 sec
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10
Merge slight right
3.2 mi · 3 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
1.4 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto South Beltline Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · South Beltline Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Greenway Boulevard
1374 ft · 36 sec
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14
Turn left onto Greenway Boulevard
1216 ft · 48 sec · Greenway Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto John Q Hammons Drive
1354 ft · 40 sec · John Q Hammons Drive
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Deming Way
6 m · 1 sec · Deming Way
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Deming Way
1320 ft · 39 sec · Deming Way
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18
Turn left onto University Avenue
6.4 mi · 9 min · University Avenue
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19
Continue on Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Cross Plains.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Milwaukee and Sunny near Cross Plains.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Cross Plains?
The road trip is about 98.8 miles (159 km) and usually takes 02h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Milford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.3 miles from Milwaukee and 49.5 miles from Cross Plains.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.16 one way or $26.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Milwaukee and Sunny near Cross Plains.
Stop Ideas Near Milford
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 Milford.
Columbus
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Beaver Dam, WI
Janesville, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Cross Plains. Straight-line distance: 88.43 mi (142.32 km).
#1 Milwaukee
The thirtieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
| Population | 589,067 |
| Coordinates | 43.0389000, -87.9064700 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cross Plains
Town in Texas, United States
| Population | 1,506 |
| Coordinates | 43.1144400, -89.6556800 |
| Altitude | 263 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cross Plains (-89.65568, 43.11444)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.16 | $26.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.84 | $29.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.24 | $32.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.51 | $37.02 |
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.