How far is Prairie du Chien, WI from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance from Prairie du Chien, WI to Milwaukee, WI is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 03h 04m.
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.
Civil town in Dane County, Wisconsin
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 Prairie du Chien and Milwaukee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie du Chien and Milwaukee.
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1
Start on South Marquette Road
124 m · 10 sec · South Marquette Road
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Marquette Road
43 m · 3 sec · South Marquette Road
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3
Exit the roundabout onto South Marquette Road
104 m · 8 sec · South Marquette Road
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Marquette Road
37 m · 3 sec · South Marquette Road
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5
Exit the roundabout onto South Marquette Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · South Marquette Road
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6
Continue on Great River Road
12.3 mi · 17 min · Great River Road
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7
Continue straight
15.3 mi · 21 min
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8
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue
2685 ft · 2 min · Lincoln Avenue
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9
Turn left onto 12th Street
2616 ft · 1 min · 12th Street
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10
Continue on US Highway 18
15.6 mi · 22 min · US Highway 18
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11
Continue on West Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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12
Continue on US Highway 18
8.4 mi · 12 min · US Highway 18
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13
Continue on Dodgeville Expressway
2 mi · 3 min · Dodgeville Expressway
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Dodgeville Expressway
45 m · 6 sec · Dodgeville Expressway
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Dodgeville Expressway
1699 ft · 26 sec · Dodgeville Expressway
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16
Keep slight left
38.2 mi · 46 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East, US 14 East, US 18 East, US 151 North
2419 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto West Beltline Highway
8.8 mi · 12 min · West Beltline Highway
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19
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
1.3 km · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left
3.1 mi · 3 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
1805 ft · 22 sec
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22
Merge slight left
969 ft · 12 sec
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23
Merge slight left
69.8 mi · 1 hr 18 min
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24
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · East-West Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight left toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
1312 ft · 25 sec
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26
Turn slight right onto Jackson Street South
94 m · 15 sec
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27
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
671 ft · 24 sec · East Saint Paul Avenue
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28
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Street
1381 ft · 47 sec · North Milwaukee Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Milwaukee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prairie du Chien and Milwaukee.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 94 East
Merge slight left
69.8 mi · 01h 18m
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.
Sunny leaving Prairie du Chien and Sunny near Milwaukee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prairie du Chien to Milwaukee?
The road trip is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Verona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.5 miles from Prairie du Chien and 90.8 miles from Milwaukee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 10:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.13 one way or $48.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Prairie du Chien and Sunny near Milwaukee.
Stop Ideas Near Verona
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 Verona.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Janesville, Wisconsin
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prairie du Chien and Milwaukee. Straight-line distance: 163.33 mi (262.85 km).
#1 Prairie du Chien
County seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 1,010 |
| Coordinates | 43.0516500, -91.1412400 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: North Milwaukee Street (-87.906566, 43.038895)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 292 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.22 | $54.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.79 | $59.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.95 | $67.89 |
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.