How far is Milwaukee, WI from Rio, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Rio, WI is about 92.1 miles (148.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 56m 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 58m.
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 Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States of America
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 Rio.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Rio.
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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
26.8 mi · 29 min · East-West Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward WI 26: Watertown, Johnson Creek
1094 ft · 27 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on WI 26 North: Watertown
100 m · 10 sec
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10
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
16.8 mi · 20 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward WI 16 West, WI 60: ColumbusHustisford
1819 ft · 50 sec
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13
Turn left onto State Highway 60
611 ft · 15 sec · State Highway 60
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14
Continue on Highway 16 & 60
13.8 mi · 19 min · Highway 16 & 60
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15
Continue on Lowell Street
1528 ft · 43 sec · Lowell Street
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16
Continue on East James Street
1.7 mi · 5 min · East James Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 16
12.5 mi · 17 min · State Highway 16
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18
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
1835 ft · 56 sec · Lincoln Avenue
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19
Turn left onto West Harvey Street
55 m · 8 sec · West Harvey Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Harvey Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Rio.
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
26.8 mi · 00h 29m
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 Rio.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Rio?
The road trip is about 92.1 miles (148.3 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Johnson Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46 miles from Milwaukee and 46.2 miles from Rio.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.8 miles (117.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 2:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.26 one way or $24.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Milwaukee and Mostly Sunny near Rio.
Stop Ideas Near Johnson Creek
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 Johnson Creek.
Columbus
Beaver Dam, WI
Janesville, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Rio. Straight-line distance: 72.81 mi (117.18 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 Rio
Village in Columbia County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,047 |
| Coordinates | 43.4477600, -89.2398400 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rio (-89.23984, 43.44776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 148 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.26 | $24.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.82 | $27.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.13 | $30.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.24 | $34.48 |
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.