How far is Milwaukee, WI from Madison, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Madison, WI is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 75.5 miles (121.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 15m 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 01h 37m.
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.
Town in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Madison.
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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
3.1 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit straight toward US 151: East Washington Avenue
1024 ft · 25 sec
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10
Turn sharp right onto East Washington Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · East Washington Avenue
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11
Turn right onto North Baldwin Street
1057 ft · 40 sec · North Baldwin Street
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12
Turn left onto East Gorham Street
1.7 mi · 5 min · East Gorham Street
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13
Continue on University Avenue
1949 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Madison.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Milwaukee and Partly Sunny near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Madison?
The road trip is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?
Farmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.5 miles from Milwaukee and 39.6 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 75.5 miles (121.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.52 one way or $21.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Milwaukee and Partly Sunny near Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington
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 Farmington.
Columbus
Beaver Dam, WI
Janesville, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Madison. Straight-line distance: 75.5 mi (121.51 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 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-89.40123, 43.07305)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 127 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.52 | $21.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.87 | $23.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.98 | $25.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.80 | $29.60 |
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.