How far is Milwaukee, WI from Independence, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Independence, WI is about 232.1 miles (373.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Independence.
-
1
Start on North Milwaukee Street
14 m · 9 sec · North Milwaukee Street
-
2
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue
671 ft · 25 sec · East Wisconsin Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
894 ft · 29 sec · North Jackson Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 794 West
1550 ft · 28 sec
-
5
Merge slight right onto East-West Freeway
1269 ft · 22 sec · East-West Freeway
-
6
Continue on East-West Freeway
17.1 mi · 22 min · East-West Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
-
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
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
48.4 mi · 52 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward WI 121, I 94 Alternate: Alma Center, Pigeon Falls
963 ft · 24 sec
-
12
Keep slight left
38 m · 6 sec
-
13
Turn left onto State Highway 121
90 m · 6 sec · State Highway 121
-
14
Continue on WI 121
1.1 km · 1 min · WI 121
-
15
Continue on State Highway 121
5.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 121
-
16
Continue on East Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East Main Street
-
17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ekern Street
7.2 mi · 10 min · Ekern Street
-
18
Turn right onto Dewey Street
4.1 mi · 7 min · Dewey Street
-
19
Continue on Whitehall Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Whitehall Road
-
20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Osseo Road
2143 ft · 1 min · Osseo Road
-
21
Turn left onto 1st Street
21 m · 6 sec · 1st Street
-
22
Turn left onto Railroad Street
31 m · 4 sec · Railroad Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Independence.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 39 North
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 01h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Milwaukee and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Independence?
The road trip is about 232.1 miles (373.5 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?
Lake Delton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.9 miles from Milwaukee and 116.2 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.88 one way or $61.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.8 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 Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Delton
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 Lake Delton.
Wisconsin Dells
Portage
Westfield, WI
Madison, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Independence. Straight-line distance: 197.73 mi (318.21 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 Independence
City in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin United States
| Population | 1,291 |
| Coordinates | 44.3569100, -91.4204300 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
End: Independence (-91.42043, 44.35691)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 374 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.88 | $61.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.83 | $69.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.12 | $76.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.44 | $86.88 |
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.