U.S. Route 18 in Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
, U.S. Route 18
(normally called U.S. Highway 18, Highway 18 or US 18) runs east–west across the southern part of the state. The highway serves as major connecting route between Madison
and the southwest corner of the state. East of Madison, the route parallels Interstate 94
and serves as a local connection route to the communities along the interstate. US 18 enters Wisconsin at Prairie du Chien
and ends in downtown Milwaukee at Lincoln Memorial Drive, across from the Milwaukee Art Museum
.
using the Marquette-Joliet Bridge
just west of Prairie du Chien. WIS 60 begins at the state line and runs concurrent with US 18 east from there. The two highways turn south at the along with Wisconsin Highway 35 downtown and head southeast out of the city. WIS 60 branches northeast from US 18 at Bridgeport
. US 18 and WIS 35 continue southeast into Grant County
The two highways split at Patch Grove
with WIS 35 continuing southeastward along with WIS 133 south, while US 18 turns eastward along with WIS 133 north. WIS 133 branches north at Mount Hope
. US 18 and US 61 junction in downtown Fennimore
. and WIS 80 north joins the highway in Montfort
, on the Iowa County
line.
WIS 80 turns north at Cobb
while US 18 continues east through Dodgeville
, crossing WIS 23 and joining US 151 North. The two U.S. routes share a common expressway
and bypass Ridgeway
and Barneveld
on the way east into Dane County
. in Dane Conty, US 18 and US 151 bypass Mount Horeb
, crossing WIS 78 and WIS 92, and Verona
and enter the Madison area, first passing through Fitchburg
. Upon entering Madison, US 18 and US 151 join US 12
and US 14
east along the West Beltline Highway. US 151 and US 14 turn off the beltline three miles (5 km) east and US 12 and US 18 continue east, crossing US 51
and I-39
/ I-90
southeast of Madison. Four miles east of the Interstates, US 12/US 18 becomes a two lane surface road again and passes through Cambridge
, where US 12 splits southeast at the Jefferson County
line.
US 18 crosses WIS 89 and WIS 26 in Jefferson
and passes through Sullivan. Entering Waukesha County, Wisconsin
, US 18 passes north of Dousman
at WIS 67, south of the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit
and north of Wales
at WIS 83. US 18 then enters Waukesha
along Summit Avenue. US 18 turns onto Delafield Street heading south, then takes a very sharp turn northeast - with the eastbound traffic following St. Paul Avenue and westbound traffic following North Street. The two streets merge and US 18 turns east onto Moreland Boulevard, WIS 164 joins US 18 from Les Paul Parkway south and follows it to the interchange with I-94
. WIS 164 turns west onto I-94, and US 18 continues east into Brookfield
along Blue Mound Road. US 18 continues through Brookfield and Elm Grove
along Blue Mound Road, and enter Milwaukee County and Wauwatosa
. US 18 crosses WIS 100 and US 45
near the Milwaukee County Zoo
and continues east into Milwaukee. At US 41
, the highway shifts onto Wisconsin Ave. US 18 turns north onto North 35th street and east on to West Highland Ave, then south onto North 17th Avenue. The route splits onto one-way streets following State Street and Wells street just west of I-43
and join WIS 32 at North Broadway (southbound) and North Milwaukee Street (Northbound). Both directions turn east onto East Michigan Street as WIS 32 continues south. US 18 reaches its eastern terminus, the junction of Michigan Street and Lincoln Memorial Drive five blocks east of WIS 32, and one block north of I-794
.
The eastern terminus was an originally stated in official DOT documentation to be the junction of East Michigan Street and North Harbor Drive. This matched what commercial street maps were showing after many years of inaccuracies.
Between 1980 and 1990, 38 miles (61.2 km) of US 18/US 151 was upgraded to expressway standards, with the section around Verona being the final piece to be completed in 1995. US 12/US 18 was upgraded to expressway standards between I-39/I-90 to North Star Road, west of Cambridge. The remainder wasn't expanded, but straightened out to eliminate sharp curves.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 18 is an east–west U.S. highway in the Midwestern United States. The western terminus is in Orin, Wyoming at an interchange with Interstate 25. Its eastern terminus of US 18 is in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, US 18 runs concurrent with other U.S...
(normally called U.S. Highway 18, Highway 18 or US 18) runs east–west across the southern part of the state. The highway serves as major connecting route between Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
and the southwest corner of the state. East of Madison, the route parallels Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
and serves as a local connection route to the communities along the interstate. US 18 enters Wisconsin at Prairie du Chien
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
and ends in downtown Milwaukee at Lincoln Memorial Drive, across from the Milwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum is located on Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Beginning around 1872, multiple organizations were founded in order to bring an art gallery to Milwaukee, as the city was still a growing port town with little or no facilities to hold major art exhibitions...
.
Route description
US 18 enters Crawford County from Iowa, crossing the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
using the Marquette-Joliet Bridge
Marquette-Joliet Bridge
The Marquette–Joliet Bridge is a bridge crossing the Mississippi River, connecting Marquette, Iowa and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Local residents refer to the bridge as the Prairie Bridge or the Marquette Bridge; both terms are used equally....
just west of Prairie du Chien. WIS 60 begins at the state line and runs concurrent with US 18 east from there. The two highways turn south at the along with Wisconsin Highway 35 downtown and head southeast out of the city. WIS 60 branches northeast from US 18 at Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Wisconsin
Bridgeport is a town in Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 946 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.3 square miles , of which, 20.3 square miles of it is land and 3.0 square miles of...
. US 18 and WIS 35 continue southeast into Grant County
Grant County, Wisconsin
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 49,597. Its county seat is Lancaster. Estimates for 2008 show a population of 49,238...
The two highways split at Patch Grove
Patch Grove, Wisconsin
Patch Grove is a village in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 166 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Patch Grove.-Geography:Patch Grove is located at ....
with WIS 35 continuing southeastward along with WIS 133 south, while US 18 turns eastward along with WIS 133 north. WIS 133 branches north at Mount Hope
Mount Hope, Wisconsin
Mount Hope is a village in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 186 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Mount Hope.-Geography:Mount Hope is located at ....
. US 18 and US 61 junction in downtown Fennimore
Fennimore, Wisconsin
Fennimore is a city in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,387 at the 2000 census. The city's area was separated from the town of Fennimore, which remains as an adjacent rural area.-Geography:...
. and WIS 80 north joins the highway in Montfort
Montfort, Wisconsin
Montfort is a village in Grant and Iowa Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 663 at the 2000 census.The Iowa County portion of Montfort is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Grant County portion is part of the Platteville Micropolitan Statistical...
, on the Iowa County
Iowa County, Wisconsin
Iowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 22,780. Its county seat and largest city is Dodgeville.Iowa County is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
line.
WIS 80 turns north at Cobb
Cobb, Wisconsin
Cobb is a village in Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 442 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Cobb is located at ....
while US 18 continues east through Dodgeville
Dodgeville, Wisconsin
Dodgeville is the most populous city and county seat of Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,698 at the 2010 census, making it the 9th largest city within the Madison metropolitan area. The Greater Dodgeville Area however had a population of 6,529...
, crossing WIS 23 and joining US 151 North. The two U.S. routes share a common expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
and bypass Ridgeway
Ridgeway, Wisconsin
Ridgeway is a village in Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States. It is the fourth most populous community in Iowa County. The population was 689 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Ridgeway...
and Barneveld
Barneveld, Wisconsin
Barneveld is a village in Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States. It is the fourth most populous community in Iowa County, while the second largest village, and largest village located fully within the county. The population was 1,088 at the 2000 census...
on the way east into Dane County
Dane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
. in Dane Conty, US 18 and US 151 bypass Mount Horeb
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Mount Horeb is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,009 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, crossing WIS 78 and WIS 92, and Verona
Verona, Wisconsin
Verona is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, in the United States and is a suburb of Madison. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,052. With an estimated 2009 population of 11,486, Verona is among the fastest growing municipalities in the state. The city is located ten miles southwest of...
and enter the Madison area, first passing through Fitchburg
Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Fitchburg is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 25,260 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is a suburb of Madison and is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Upon entering Madison, US 18 and US 151 join US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 12 runs east–west across the western to southeast portions of the state...
and US 14
U.S. Route 14 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 14 runs northwest-southeast across the western to southwest portions of the state. It links La Crosse and the southwestern portion of the state with Madison and Janesville...
east along the West Beltline Highway. US 151 and US 14 turn off the beltline three miles (5 km) east and US 12 and US 18 continue east, crossing US 51
U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 51 runs north–south down the central part of the state...
and I-39
Interstate 39
Interstate 39 is a highway in the midwestern United States. I-39 runs from Normal, Illinois at Interstate 55 to Highway 29 in Rothschild, Wisconsin, approximately six miles south of Wausau. I-39 was designed to replace US Highway 51, which in the early 1980s was one of the busiest two-lane...
/ I-90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
southeast of Madison. Four miles east of the Interstates, US 12/US 18 becomes a two lane surface road again and passes through Cambridge
Cambridge, Wisconsin
Cambridge is a village located in Dane and Jefferson Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,100 at the 2000 census.The Dane County portion of Cambridge is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Jefferson County portion is part of the...
, where US 12 splits southeast at the Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 74,021. Its county seat is Jefferson.-Geography:According to the U.S...
line.
US 18 crosses WIS 89 and WIS 26 in Jefferson
Jefferson, Wisconsin
Jefferson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, and is its county seat. It is located at the confluence of the Rock and Crawfish Rivers. The population was 7,338 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Jefferson.-History:...
and passes through Sullivan. Entering Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the...
, US 18 passes north of Dousman
Dousman, Wisconsin
Dousman is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,584 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dousman is located at ....
at WIS 67, south of the Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit
Kettle Moraine State Forest
The Kettle Moraine State Forest is a state forest in southeastern Wisconsin, USA. The chief feature of the reserve is the Kettle Moraine, a highly glaciated area. The area contains very hilly terrain and glacial landforms, such as kettles, kames and eskers...
and north of Wales
Wales, Wisconsin
Wales is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States, first settled by Welsh immigrants. The population was 2,523 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wales is located at ....
at WIS 83. US 18 then enters Waukesha
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
along Summit Avenue. US 18 turns onto Delafield Street heading south, then takes a very sharp turn northeast - with the eastbound traffic following St. Paul Avenue and westbound traffic following North Street. The two streets merge and US 18 turns east onto Moreland Boulevard, WIS 164 joins US 18 from Les Paul Parkway south and follows it to the interchange with I-94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
. WIS 164 turns west onto I-94, and US 18 continues east into Brookfield
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Brookfield is a city located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 37,920 in the 2010 census. Brookfield is the second largest city in Waukesha County, and the leading commercial suburb of Milwaukee. The City of Brookfield was formed in 1954 from the Town of...
along Blue Mound Road. US 18 continues through Brookfield and Elm Grove
Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Elm Grove is a village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6,249 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elm Grove is located at ....
along Blue Mound Road, and enter Milwaukee County and Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Wauwatosa is a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States, and was incorporated on May 27, 1897. As of the 2006 census estimate, the city's population was 44,798. Wauwatosa is located immediately west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area...
. US 18 crosses WIS 100 and US 45
U.S. Route 45 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 45 runs north–south through the eastern and northern portions of the state.-Route description:...
near the Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoo
The Milwaukee County Zoo is a zoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operated by the Milwaukee County Parks Commission. The zoo houses 1,800 animals and covers an area of . It is noted for the first birth of polar bears and siamangs in captivity...
and continues east into Milwaukee. At US 41
U.S. Route 41 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Highway 41 runs north–south the eastern side of the state. It enters from Illinois at Pleasant Prairie, and runs north to its northern terminus at the Michigan border at Marinette, WI.-Route description:US-41 is a freeway for nearly 70% of its route...
, the highway shifts onto Wisconsin Ave. US 18 turns north onto North 35th street and east on to West Highland Ave, then south onto North 17th Avenue. The route splits onto one-way streets following State Street and Wells street just west of I-43
Interstate 43
Interstate 43 is a intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Wisconsin, connecting Interstate 39 and Interstate 90 in Beloit with Milwaukee and U.S. Route 41 and U.S. Route 141 in Green Bay. I-43 is the 5th longest intrastate Interstate Highway of the Interstate...
and join WIS 32 at North Broadway (southbound) and North Milwaukee Street (Northbound). Both directions turn east onto East Michigan Street as WIS 32 continues south. US 18 reaches its eastern terminus, the junction of Michigan Street and Lincoln Memorial Drive five blocks east of WIS 32, and one block north of I-794
Interstate 794
Interstate 794 is Interstate Highway spur route in Milwaukee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is one of two auxiliary Interstates in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and serves the lakefront, the Port of Milwaukee and connects downtown with the southeastern suburbs of St...
.
History
Prior to 1926, the route that US 18 follows today was designated as WIS 19. By 1923, the WIS 19 extended from Prairie du Chien to Milwaukee. Shortly after US 18 was signed, it was rerouted along WIS 30 and WIS 19 - the present route within Milwaukee. The remainder of the route was relocated to its current alignment in 1932.The eastern terminus was an originally stated in official DOT documentation to be the junction of East Michigan Street and North Harbor Drive. This matched what commercial street maps were showing after many years of inaccuracies.
Between 1980 and 1990, 38 miles (61.2 km) of US 18/US 151 was upgraded to expressway standards, with the section around Verona being the final piece to be completed in 1995. US 12/US 18 was upgraded to expressway standards between I-39/I-90 to North Star Road, west of Cambridge. The remainder wasn't expanded, but straightened out to eliminate sharp curves.