How far is Milwaukee, WI from Prairie du Chien, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Prairie du Chien, WI is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 43m 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 03h 51m.
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.
Civil town in Dane County, Wisconsin
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 Prairie du Chien.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien.
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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
8.2 mi · 11 min · South Beltline Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
38.1 mi · 46 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West: Dodgeville, Prairie du Chien
1.4 km · 1 min
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Dodgeville Expressway
41 m · 6 sec · Dodgeville Expressway
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Dodgeville Expressway
2 mi · 3 min · Dodgeville Expressway
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17
Continue on US Highway 18
8.4 mi · 12 min · US Highway 18
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18
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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19
Continue on US Highway 18
15.6 mi · 22 min · US Highway 18
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20
Continue on 12th Street
2495 ft · 1 min · 12th Street
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21
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
2700 ft · 2 min · Lincoln Avenue
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22
Turn left onto 4th Street
1990 ft · 57 sec · 4th Street
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23
Continue on Great River Road
27.2 mi · 39 min · Great River Road
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24
Continue on South Marquette Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · South Marquette Road
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Marquette Road
36 m · 3 sec · South Marquette Road
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26
Exit the roundabout onto South Marquette Road
112 m · 9 sec · South Marquette Road
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Marquette Road
35 m · 3 sec · South Marquette Road
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28
Exit the roundabout onto South Marquette Road
141 m · 11 sec · South Marquette Road
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward South Marquette Road
112 m · 9 sec · South Marquette Road
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30
Exit the roundabout onto South Marquette Road
16 m · 1 sec · South Marquette Road
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Marquette Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien.
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 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 Prairie du Chien.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Prairie du Chien?
The road trip is about 181.1 miles (291.5 km) and usually takes 03h 51m 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?
Verona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.3 miles from Milwaukee and 90.8 miles from Prairie du Chien.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 9:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.10 one way or $48.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 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 Prairie du Chien.
Stop Ideas Near Verona
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 Verona.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Janesville, Wisconsin
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien. Straight-line distance: 163.33 mi (262.85 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 Prairie du Chien
County seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 1,010 |
| Coordinates | 43.0516500, -91.1412400 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prairie du Chien (-91.14124, 43.05165)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.10 | $48.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.18 | $54.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.89 | $67.79 |
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.