How Long Does It Take to Drive from Appleton to Lake Mills?

There are several ways to get from Appleton, WI to Lake Mills, WI, all of which will be discussed below. While the distance between the two cities is not especially great, the time it takes to get from one to the other can vary depending on the route taken and the time of day. Here are some things to keep in mind.

The Fastest Route

The fastest route from Appleton to Lake Mills is, without question, via I-41 and I-94. This is a total distance of 109 miles and, under optimal traffic conditions, can be covered in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Of course, traffic is rarely optimal, particularly on such busy highways, so it's wise to expect some delays.

The Scenic Route

If you are in no particular hurry and would prefer a more scenic route, you might consider taking US-41 to Fond du Lac, then taking US-151 to Beaver Dam, before finally taking WI-89 into Lake Mills. This route is around the same distance as the I-41/I-94 route (109 miles) but will take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is due to the fact that this route is generally more rural and has more potential for traffic snarls.

The Slowest Route

Finally, if you are in no particular hurry and prefer to take the most leisurely route possible, you might consider taking Highway 26 all the way down to Lake Mills. This will take you through several small towns and requires only minimal use of the highway system. While this route is the shortest at 87 miles, it will take you around 2 hours and 30 minutes due to the number of stoplights and other potential slowdowns.

Time of Day Matters

Of course, the above estimates are only accurate under ideal traffic conditions. During peak travel times, such as weekday afternoons, it's likely that any of the above routes will take significantly longer. As a general rule, it's always a good idea to budget an extra 15-30 minutes just in case.

Summary

To summarize, the fastest route from Appleton, WI to Lake Mills, WI is via I-41 and I-94, taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes under ideal conditions. If you prefer a more scenic route with a slightly longer duration (around 2 hours and 15 minutes), consider US-41 to US-151 and WI-89. Finally, for those who like the leisurely route (but with a longer duration of around 2 hours and 30 minutes), Highway 26 is the best bet. Just be sure to budget a little extra time during peak traffic hours.