How far is Milwaukee, WI from Rochester, WI?

The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Rochester, WI is about 30.1 miles (48.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.1 miles (42 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
30.14 mi
00h 46m
Flight
26.1 mi
42.01 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Milwaukee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.1 mi
Kilometers
42.01 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.14 mi
Kilometers
48.5 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rochester
Sat, Apr 18, 12:11 PM CDT
Return by in Milwaukee
Sat, Apr 18, 12:57 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Milwaukee
2026-04-18T11:24
Arrive Rochester
Sat, Apr 18, 12:11 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Milwaukee
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Franklin
WI

Third-class city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

From Milwaukee
15 mi
00h 23m
To Rochester
15.1 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W
Destination
59°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Rochester.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Rochester.

  1. 1

    Start on North Milwaukee Street

    14 m · 9 sec · North Milwaukee Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue

    671 ft · 25 sec · East Wisconsin Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Jackson Street

    894 ft · 29 sec · North Jackson Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 794 West

    1550 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight right onto East-West Freeway

    1269 ft · 22 sec · East-West Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay

    1464 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 43 South, I 94: Chicago

    1.2 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway

    4.7 mi · 7 min · North-South Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 41, I 43, I 894, US 41: Beloit

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 36 South: Loomis Road

    1588 ft · 54 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto West Loomis Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · West Loomis Road

  12. 12

    Continue on West Loomis Road

    10.1 mi · 15 min · West Loomis Road

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 36

    7.3 mi · 10 min · State Highway 36

  14. 14

    Continue on Milwaukee Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · Milwaukee Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue

    687 ft · 19 sec · Washington Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on East Main Street

    1575 ft · 43 sec · East Main Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Rochester.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
56.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Loomis Road
12.3 mi · 41%
State Highway 36
7.29 mi · 24%
North-South Freeway
4.74 mi · 16%
I 41
2.28 mi · 8%
Milwaukee Avenue
0.91 mi · 3%
I 43 South
0.72 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

West Loomis Road

Continue on West Loomis Road

10.1 mi · 00h 15m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4 mi
26.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Franklin
00h 23m from Milwaukee
Leave By
4:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Milwaukee and Showers And Thunderstorms near Rochester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Rochester?

The road trip is about 30.1 miles (48.5 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?

Franklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15 miles from Milwaukee and 15.1 miles from Rochester.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 26.1 miles (42 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 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 $4.00 one way or $7.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Milwaukee and Showers And Thunderstorms near Rochester.

Stop Ideas Near Franklin

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Franklin and the surrounding midpoint area.
Milwaukee City Hall
Scenic stop 12 mi away

Milwaukee City Hall

Milwaukee , WI
200 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, United States
Rating 4.4/5 84 reviews Tourist attraction,City or town hall
West Allis City Hall
Meeting point 8.6 mi away

West Allis City Hall

West Allis , WI
7525 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis, WI 53214
Rating 4.1/5 38 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Square Apartments
Nearby stop 11.9 mi away

City Hall Square Apartments

Milwaukee , WI
104 E Mason St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Rating 3.0/5 28 reviews Apartment building,Property management company

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Franklin.

RAIL

Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station

11 mi away
5601 South 6th Street
RAIL

Milwaukee Intermodal Station

19 mi away
433 West St. Paul Ave.
RAIL

Sturtevant station

22 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court
BUS

Janesville, Wisconsin

80 mi away
3120 North Pontiac Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Rochester. Straight-line distance: 26.1 mi (42.01 km).

Milwaukee

#1 Milwaukee

The thirtieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Population589,067
Coordinates43.0389000, -87.9064700
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Rochester

#2 Rochester

Village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States

Population3,880
Coordinates42.7414100, -88.2242600
Altitude234
CountryUnited States
Start: Milwaukee (-87.90647, 43.0389)
End: Rochester (-88.22426, 42.74141)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 49 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.06 gal
4.03 L · about $4.00
Round trip
$7.99
2.12 gal · 8.06 L
Estimated CO2
9.4 kg one way
Round trip: 18.8 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.00 $7.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.51 $9.02
Premium $4.65 $4.93 $9.87
Diesel $5.30 $5.62 $11.24

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Milwaukee and Rochester. The current time is 11:24:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.