How far is Sparta, WI from Franklin, WI?

The driving distance from Sparta, WI to Franklin, WI is about 186.6 miles (300.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 157.1 miles (252.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
186.57 mi
03h 30m
Flight
157.18 mi
252.95 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sparta.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
157.18 mi
Kilometers
252.95 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
186.57 mi
Kilometers
300.26 km
Drive Time
03h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franklin
Fri, Apr 10, 4:40 PM CDT
Return by in Sparta
Fri, Apr 10, 8:11 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sparta
2026-04-10T13:09
Arrive Franklin
Fri, Apr 10, 4:40 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sparta
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Arlington
WI

Village in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States

From Sparta
93.1 mi
01h 45m
To Franklin
93.5 mi
01h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NW
Destination
48°F
Friday

Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sparta and Franklin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sparta and Franklin.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    31 m · 10 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Court Street

    108 m · 21 sec · South Court Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Oak Street

    1909 ft · 55 sec · West Oak Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Avenue

    1256 ft · 35 sec · East Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Wisconsin Street

    3163 ft · 1 min · East Wisconsin Street

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 16

    1286 ft · 24 sec · State Highway 16

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Wisconsin Street

    33 m · 6 sec · East Wisconsin Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto East Wisconsin Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · East Wisconsin Street

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 16

    1010 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 16

  10. 10

    Take the ramp left

    2456 ft · 60 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    108.4 mi · 1 hr 56 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee

    64.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac

    3167 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago

    1991 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago

    1477 ft · 30 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago

    1177 ft · 29 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit

    1.4 km · 1 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight left toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street

    934 ft · 22 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 100 South, US 45 South

    4.8 mi · 9 min

  21. 21

    Turn right

    26 m · 8 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right

    49 m · 12 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sparta and Franklin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 16
109 mi · 59%
I 94
64.2 mi · 34%
WI 100 South
4.82 mi · 3%
Zoo Freeway
3.5 mi · 2%
East Wisconsin Street
1.6 mi · 1%
I 43 South
0.84 mi
Longest Stretch

State Highway 16

Merge slight left

108 mi · 01h 56m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.5 mi
157.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Arlington
01h 45m from Sparta
Leave By
9:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sparta and Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy near Franklin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sparta to Franklin?

The road trip is about 186.6 miles (300.3 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?

Arlington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.1 miles from Sparta and 93.5 miles from Franklin.

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

The direct path is about 157.1 miles (252.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 9:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.81 one way or $49.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sparta and Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy near Franklin.

Stop Ideas Near Arlington

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Arlington, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Portage

24 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

29 mi away
800 Langdon St.
RAIL

Columbus

30 mi away
359 North Ludington Street
BUS

Madison (South), Wisconsin

33 mi away
Hwy 51 & East Broadway Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sparta and Franklin. Straight-line distance: 157.18 mi (252.95 km).

Sparta

#1 Sparta

City in and county seat of Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States

Population3,290
Coordinates43.9441300, -90.8129100
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Franklin

#2 Franklin

Third-class city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Population36,222
Coordinates42.8886300, -88.0384200
Altitude244
CountryUnited States
Start: Sparta (-90.81291, 43.94413)
End: Franklin (-88.03842, 42.88863)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 300 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.58 gal
24.92 L · about $24.81
Round trip
$49.63
13.16 gal · 49.84 L
Estimated CO2
58.5 kg one way
Round trip: 117 kg / 258 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.81 $49.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.98 $55.97
Premium $4.65 $30.62 $61.25
Diesel $5.30 $34.90 $69.80

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 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Sparta and Franklin. The current time is 13:09:25.

Distance to Other Cities

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