How far is Milwaukee, WI from Waterford, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Waterford, WI is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.6 miles (39.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Third-class city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Waterford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Waterford.
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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
Take the exit slight right toward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
1464 ft · 36 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 43 South, I 94: Chicago
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
4.7 mi · 7 min · North-South Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 41, I 43, I 894, US 41: Beloit
2.3 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward WI 36 South: Loomis Road
1588 ft · 54 sec
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11
Turn straight onto West Loomis Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · West Loomis Road
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12
Continue on West Loomis Road
10.1 mi · 15 min · West Loomis Road
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13
Continue on State Highway 36
6.5 mi · 9 min · State Highway 36
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14
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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15
Turn left onto South River Street
16 m · 2 sec · South River Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South River Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Waterford.
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.
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.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Milwaukee and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Waterford?
The road trip is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Franklin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from Milwaukee and 14.4 miles from Waterford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.6 miles (39.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.81 one way or $7.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Milwaukee and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterford.
Stop Ideas Near Franklin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Milwaukee City Hall
West Allis City Hall
City Hall Square Apartments
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Franklin.
Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Sturtevant station
Janesville, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 24.61 mi (39.61 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 Waterford
Village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 6,497 |
| Coordinates | 42.7630700, -88.2142600 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterford (-88.21426, 42.76307)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.81 | $7.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.30 | $8.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.70 | $9.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.36 | $10.71 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.