^US Route 45 continues north beyond the western end of Wisconsin Highway 15 in New London, February 2022.

In Wisconsin, US Route 45 runs north-south across through the middle of the state's eastern half. As opposed to US Route 41 and Interstate 43, which both also run north-south in eastern Wisconsin, US Route 45 is more of a surface route that doesn't allow the highest vehicle speeds.  US Route 45 enters Wisconsin a few miles northeast of Antioch, Illinois, crossing the state line on a rural two-lane road. US Route 45 stays rural until it enters the Milwaukee area at Franklin. US Route 45 cuts northward across western portions of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. It joins the north-south portion of Interstate 894 and Interstate 41, passing through suburbs like Menomonee Falls. North of there, US Route 45 splits from Interstate 41, and it serves as a sort of freeway spur to West Bend. Beyond West Bend, US Route 45 shrinks back down to a rural highway, making its way through Kewaskum to Fond du Lac. From Fond du Lac to Oshkosh, US Route 45 serves as a surface alternate to Interstate 41, which also graces both cities. At Oshkosh, US Route 45 crosses to the west side of Interstate 41, and it gets another chance to use a freeway until it reaches US Route 10. US Route 45 joins US Route 10 westward for a short while, until it exits toward the north on a two-lane road. That two lane road takes travelers to New London. Here, US Route 45 becomes a four-lane bypass around the east side of New London. The route continues north to Clintonville, then northwest to Wittenburg. Next, US Route 45 sets out for Antigo, straight north of Wittenburg. Northward beyond Antigo, US Route 45 continues to Pelican Lake, Eagle River, and Three Lakes. Finally, at Land O' Lakes, US Route 45 exits Wisconsin by crossing into the western reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

My photo of a route marker for US Route 45 in Wisconsin comes from the intersection of US Route 45 and Wisconsin Highway 142, south of Union Grove. This intersection is in Kenosha County. Westbound travelers on Wisconsin Highway 142 use this sign to decide how they wish to navigate the intersection. This photo was taken in July 2018 as I was doing a single-day drive around southeastern Wisconsin.
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