How far is Rochester, WI from Milwaukee, WI?

The driving distance from Rochester, WI to Milwaukee, WI is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.1 miles (42 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
29.86 mi
00h 37m
Flight
26.1 mi
42.01 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rochester.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
29.86 mi
Kilometers
48.05 km
Drive Time
00h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Milwaukee
Sat, Apr 18, 10:33 AM CDT
Return by in Rochester
Sat, Apr 18, 11:10 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rochester
2026-04-18T09:56
Arrive Milwaukee
Sat, Apr 18, 10:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:37 AM to 7:37 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Rochester
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

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 Rochester
14.7 mi
00h 18m
To Milwaukee
15.1 mi
00h 18m

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 Rochester and Milwaukee.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    1575 ft · 43 sec · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Washington Avenue

    766 ft · 28 sec · Washington Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Milwaukee Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · Milwaukee Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 36

    7.3 mi · 10 min · State Highway 36

  5. 5

    Continue on Loomis Road

    10.1 mi · 15 min · Loomis Road

  6. 6

    Continue on West Loomis Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · West Loomis Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 43 North, I 894 East, I 41 South

    1339 ft · 35 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Airport Freeway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Airport Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 43, I 94: Milwaukee

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway

    5 mi · 7 min · North-South Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 794 East: Lakefront

    1303 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Plankington Avenue

    2299 ft · 52 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Plankinton Avenue

    1591 ft · 39 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on North Plankinton Avenue

    812 ft · 29 sec · North Plankinton Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Michigan Street

    1288 ft · 48 sec · West Michigan Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Milwaukee Street

    153 m · 19 sec · North Milwaukee Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Milwaukee Street

Car Route Details

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

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
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
56.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Loomis Road
10.1 mi · 34%
State Highway 36
7.3 mi · 24%
North-South Freeway
4.97 mi · 17%
West Loomis Road
2.16 mi · 7%
I 43
1.1 mi · 4%
Milwaukee Avenue
0.9 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Loomis Road

Continue on 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 short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 37m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.8 mi
26.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Franklin
00h 18m from Rochester
Leave By
7:16 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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 14.7 miles from Rochester and 15.1 miles from Milwaukee.

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 3.8 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 7:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.96 one way or $7.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 12.4 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 8.9 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 12.3 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 Rochester and Milwaukee. Straight-line distance: 26.1 mi (42.01 km).

Rochester

#1 Rochester

Village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States

Population3,880
Coordinates42.7414100, -88.2242600
Altitude234
CountryUnited States
Milwaukee

#2 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
Start: West Main Street (-88.224257, 42.741255)
End: North Milwaukee Street (-87.906566, 43.038895)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 48 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 29m
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
1.05 gal
3.99 L · about $3.96
Round trip
$7.92
2.1 gal · 7.98 L
Estimated CO2
9.3 kg one way
Round trip: 18.7 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $3.96 $7.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.47 $8.93
Premium $4.65 $4.89 $9.77
Diesel $5.30 $5.57 $11.14

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 Rochester and Milwaukee. The current time is 09:56:12.

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.