How far is Milwaukee, WI from Ottawa, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Ottawa, WI is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.8 miles (44.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 00h 46m.
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 and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Ottawa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Ottawa.
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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
6.6 mi · 7 min · East-West Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward WI 83: Hartland, Wales
1558 ft · 30 sec
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9
Turn left onto State Highway 83
2.6 mi · 5 min · State Highway 83
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10
Continue on North Wales Road
2004 ft · 1 min · North Wales Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Wales Road
41 m · 8 sec · North Wales Road
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12
Exit the roundabout onto North Wales Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Wales Road
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13
Turn right onto Brandybrook Road
2529 ft · 48 sec · Brandybrook Road
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14
Continue on County Highway G
1.8 mi · 3 min · County Highway G
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15
Continue on County Highway C
1.5 mi · 3 min · County Highway C
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16
Turn right onto County Highway D
35 m · 3 sec · County Highway D
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Highway D
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Ottawa.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East-West Freeway
Continue on East-West Freeway
17.1 mi · 00h 22m
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 Mostly Sunny near Ottawa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Ottawa?
The road trip is about 32.7 miles (52.6 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Waukesha is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.3 miles from Milwaukee and 16.3 miles from Ottawa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.8 miles (44.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 4:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.34 one way or $8.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Milwaukee and Mostly Sunny near Ottawa.
Stop Ideas Near Waukesha
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 Waukesha.
Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Sturtevant station
Beaver Dam, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Ottawa. Straight-line distance: 27.79 mi (44.73 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 Ottawa
Town in Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 3,937 |
| Coordinates | 42.9761200, -88.4498200 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ottawa (-88.44982, 42.97612)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.34 | $8.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.89 | $9.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.35 | $10.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.10 | $12.20 |
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.