How far is Milwaukee, WI from Ladysmith, WI?

The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Ladysmith, WI is about 291 miles (468.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 230.4 miles (370.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 37m 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
290.99 mi
05h 48m
Flight
230.39 mi
370.77 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
230.39 mi
Kilometers
370.77 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
290.99 mi
Kilometers
468.3 km
Drive Time
05h 48m

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 05h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ladysmith
Thu, Apr 23, 7:31 AM CDT
Return by in Milwaukee
Thu, Apr 23, 1:20 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Milwaukee
2026-04-23T01:42
Arrive Ladysmith
Thu, Apr 23, 7:31 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:49 AM to 1:49 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
5:22 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
New Lisbon
WI

City in Juneau County, Wisconsin

From Milwaukee
145.3 mi
02h 54m
To Ladysmith
145.6 mi
02h 54m

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
73°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    58.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta

    1354 ft · 33 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    60 m · 5 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto 10th Street

    1 km · 1 min · 10th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on US Highway 10

    1.4 km · 1 min · US Highway 10

  15. 15

    Turn left onto County Road R

    2667 ft · 53 sec · County Road R

  16. 16

    Continue on County Highway R

    6.8 mi · 12 min · County Highway R

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto State Highway 27

    34.6 mi · 51 min · State Highway 27

  19. 19

    Continue on South 3rd Street

    2958 ft · 50 sec · South 3rd Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Bridge Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Bridge Street

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 27

    20.6 mi · 31 min · State Highway 27

  22. 22

    Continue on West 9th Street South

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West 9th Street South

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Miner Avenue West

    1663 ft · 1 min · Miner Avenue West

  24. 24

    Turn right

    135 m · 33 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right

    11 m · 3 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
92.6 mi · 32%
East-West Freeway
70.9 mi · 24%
I 94 West
58.5 mi · 20%
State Highway 27
55.2 mi · 19%
County Highway R
6.76 mi · 2%
West 9th Street South
1.11 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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
05h 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+60.6 mi
230.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Lisbon
02h 54m from Milwaukee
Leave By
5:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 291 miles (468.3 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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?

New Lisbon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.3 miles from Milwaukee and 145.6 miles from Ladysmith.

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

The direct path is about 230.4 miles (370.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.6 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 5:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.73 one way or $77.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.3 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 Ladysmith.

Stop Ideas Near New Lisbon

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

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

RAIL

Tomah

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

Wisconsin Dells

42 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.
BUS

Westfield, WI

55 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

63 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Ladysmith. Straight-line distance: 230.39 mi (370.77 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
Ladysmith

#2 Ladysmith

City in and county seat of Rusk County, Wisconsin, United States

Population3,054
Coordinates45.4630200, -91.1040400
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Start: Milwaukee (-87.90647, 43.0389)
End: Ladysmith (-91.10404, 45.46302)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 468 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.27 gal
38.87 L · about $38.73
Round trip
$77.46
20.54 gal · 77.74 L
Estimated CO2
91.3 kg one way
Round trip: 182.5 kg / 402 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.73 $77.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.68 $87.36
Premium $4.65 $47.80 $95.59
Diesel $5.30 $54.47 $108.94

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 Ladysmith. The current time is 01:42:28.

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.