How far is Milwaukee, WI from Waunakee, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Waunakee, WI is about 84.6 miles (136.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.9 miles (126.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m 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 38m.
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.
Town in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Waunakee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Waunakee.
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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 right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
6.9 mi · 7 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
1277 ft · 31 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on WI 19 West: Waunakee
138 m · 14 sec
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11
Continue on State Highway 19
1.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 19
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 7 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout
2.4 mi · 3 min
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 19
37 m · 7 sec · State Highway 19
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15
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 19
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 19
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16
Continue on East Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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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 Waunakee.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Milwaukee and Sunny near Waunakee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Waunakee?
The road trip is about 84.6 miles (136.2 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?
Farmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.2 miles from Milwaukee and 42.4 miles from Waunakee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.9 miles (126.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.28 one way or $22.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Milwaukee and Sunny near Waunakee.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington
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 Farmington.
Columbus
Beaver Dam, WI
Janesville, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Waunakee. Straight-line distance: 78.85 mi (126.89 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 Waunakee
Village in Dane County, Wisconsin
| Population | 14,188 |
| Coordinates | 43.1919400, -89.4556700 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waunakee (-89.45567, 43.19194)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 136 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.28 | $22.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.72 | $25.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.92 | $27.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.86 | $31.72 |
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.