How far is Milwaukee, WI from Rhinelander, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Rhinelander, WI is about 245.3 miles (394.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 194.3 miles (312.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m 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 48m.
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.
City in and county seat of Waupaca County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Rhinelander.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Rhinelander.
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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
5.8 mi · 8 min · East-West Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, US 45, I 894: Fond du Lac, Chicago
1066 ft · 26 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
2458 ft · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
19.5 mi · 24 min · Zoo Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
61.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
929 ft · 23 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 45 North: New London
1.3 km · 58 sec
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13
Merge slight left
15.2 mi · 18 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US Highway 10
46.6 mi · 55 min · US Highway 10
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15
Continue on Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
6.6 mi · 8 min
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17
Continue straight
23.3 mi · 25 min
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18
Merge slight right
46.5 mi · 54 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
1980 ft · 48 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on US 8: Rhinelander
85 m · 10 sec
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21
Turn right
14.3 mi · 20 min
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Kemp Street
42 m · 8 sec · West Kemp Street
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23
Exit the roundabout onto West Kemp Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Kemp Street
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24
Turn left onto Arbutus Street
145 m · 13 sec · Arbutus Street
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25
Continue on South Petham Street
1319 ft · 41 sec · South Petham Street
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26
Turn slight left onto South Stevens Street
109 m · 11 sec · South Stevens Street
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27
Turn left onto West King Street
61 m · 9 sec · West King Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West King Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Rhinelander.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 41 North
Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
61.6 mi · 01h 06m
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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rhinelander.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Rhinelander?
The road trip is about 245.3 miles (394.8 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Waupaca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.6 miles from Milwaukee and 122.7 miles from Rhinelander.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 194.3 miles (312.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 51 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 7:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.66 one way or $65.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Milwaukee and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rhinelander.
Stop Ideas Near Waupaca
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 Waupaca.
Waupaca, Wisconsin
Stevens Point, WI
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Wittenberg, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Rhinelander. Straight-line distance: 194.28 mi (312.67 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 Rhinelander
City in and county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin
| Population | 7,637 |
| Coordinates | 45.6366200, -89.4120800 |
| Altitude | 472 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rhinelander (-89.41208, 45.63662)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.66 | $65.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.30 | $80.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.93 | $91.87 |
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.