Cities Near Appleton
Cities near Appleton, Wisconsin: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Oshkosh, Green Bay, Waukesha. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Appleton, Wisconsin is Oshkosh, about 18 mi (28 km) away — roughly 34 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh | 18 mi / 28 km | 34 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Green Bay | 26 mi / 43 km | 51 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Waukesha | 87 mi / 140 km | 2 hr 1 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Milwaukee | 88 mi / 142 km | 2 hr 3 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Madison | 96 mi / 154 km | 2 hr 14 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Racine | 111 mi / 178 km | 2 hr 34 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Janesville | 113 mi / 182 km | 2 hr 38 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Kenosha | 120 mi / 193 km | 2 hr 47 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Waukegan | 134 mi / 216 km | 3 hr 7 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Rockford | 142 mi / 228 km | 3 hr 18 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from Appleton
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Oshkosh, Green Bay, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Madison. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Appleton
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Racine, Janesville, Kenosha, Waukegan, Rockford. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Appleton include Oshkosh, Green Bay, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Madison. The closest is Oshkosh, about 18 miles (28 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.