How far is Sun Prairie, WI from Madison, WI?
The driving distance from Sun Prairie, WI to Madison, WI is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.2 miles (19.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m 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 26m.
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.
Town in Dane 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 Sun Prairie and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sun Prairie and Madison.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Bristol Street
38 m · 8 sec · North Bristol Street
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3
Turn right onto West Main Street
2 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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4
Turn left onto US 151 South: Madison
8.5 mi · 15 min
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5
Turn right onto North Baldwin Street
1057 ft · 40 sec · North Baldwin Street
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6
Turn left onto East Gorham Street
1.7 mi · 5 min · East Gorham Street
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7
Continue on University Avenue
1949 ft · 1 min · University Avenue
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8
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sun Prairie and Madison.
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.
US 151 South
Turn left onto US 151 South: Madison
8.5 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.
Sunny leaving Sun Prairie and Sunny near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sun Prairie to Madison?
The road trip is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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?
Burke is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.4 miles from Sun Prairie and 6.4 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.2 miles (19.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.6 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 7:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.70 one way or $3.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sun Prairie and Sunny near Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Burke
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 Burke.
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Columbus
Portage
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sun Prairie and Madison. Straight-line distance: 12.15 mi (19.56 km).
#1 Sun Prairie
Third-class city in Dane County, Wisconsin
| Population | 2,473 |
| Coordinates | 43.1836000, -89.2137300 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-89.40123, 43.07305)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.70 | $3.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.91 | $3.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.09 | $4.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.39 | $4.77 |
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.