Altoona, WI Road Trips
Sitting in the Midwest, Altoona, WI is a local road trip base with 5 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 245-mile quick runs to 279-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Altoona, WI head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
279.3 mi
Kenosha, WI
Quickest Drive
4h 25m
Wauwatosa, WI
Plan Around Altoona, WI
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Altoona, WI is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Altoona, WI
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Altoona, WI
Driving from Altoona, WI
On average, trips departing from Altoona, WI run 257 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 48m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 279 miles (5h 16m), while the shortest is just 245 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Altoona, WI include Kenosha, WI (279.3 mi, 5h 16m), Franklin, WI (247.6 mi, 4h 36m), and Milwaukee, WI (244.9 mi, 4h 30m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 257-mile drive from Altoona, WI, expect to burn about 10.1 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 3 mapped routes leaving Altoona, WI and 2 routes heading into Altoona, WI, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 245 to 279 miles.
The longest mapped route from Altoona, WI covers 279 miles and takes approximately 5h 16m. Shorter options start at just 245 miles.
The average route from Altoona, WI runs about 257 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 48m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Altoona, WI include Kenosha, WI, Franklin, WI and Milwaukee, WI. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Altoona, WI by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
8,750
Median Income
$80,126
Median Home Value
$220,900
Median Age
36.4
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Altoona, WI at a Glance
Founded
1881
Elevation
896 ft
Area
5 mi²
Notable People from Altoona, WI
A sampling of people born in Altoona, WI.
Fred Thurston
1933–2014
American football player (1933-2014)
City data from Wikidata (Q444199), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Altoona, WI
Altoona is a city with a population of nearly 7,900 (2019) people, in Eau Claire County in Wisconsin. Altoona is well known for its focus on outdoor recreation. It attracts fishers on the lake and bikers on its trails to enjoy the fresh air.
Tourist information. (updated Aug 2020)
Ski Sprites Water Ski Team, Lake Altoona County Park (River Prairie Drive to 10 St. W. to Lake Road). Free water ski shows on Lake Altoona, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Donations accepted. Daily county park fee required. 1 Hobbs Observatory (at Beaver Creek Reserve), Cty. Hwy. K (take Hwy SS (9 Mile Creek Road) east out of Altoona, turn left on Hwy K, the observatory will be on your left), ☏ +1 715 877-2212. Hours of darkness.
Cinder City Days, Cinder City Park. Altoona's annual city festival, organized by the Lion's Club. Carnival, parade, softball tournament, live music, beer garden, Doll & Pet Parade. Fourth of July Fireworks, Cinder City Park, Spooner Ave.. An annual event, on the 4th. Fireworks provided by the Altoona Lion's Club. Fireworks presentation done by the Altoona Fire Department. Beaver Creek Reserve, Cty Hwy K (Hwy SS east of town to north on Hwy K), [email protected]. Nature center, butterfly house, trails (hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski), various programs through the year to promote nature and science. Donation. Dick's Divots Golf Driving Range, Mayer Rd (east of Altoona, take Hwy 12 to right on Mayer Rd, Dick's is on the left after the mini storage). Open until sundown. Drive from mats or the grass. Beer and soda available. Four bucket sizes to choose from. Large bucket $5. Bike Trails (trails throughout the city). A bike trail along Lake Road connects the 10th Street trail to the Lake Altoona County Park. River Prairie trail connects to trails in Eau Claire and provide access to the Chippewa River State Trail. Free. Lake Altoona County Park (River Prairie Drive to 10th St. West to Lake Road). Boat landing, swimming beach, boating, water ski shows, playground, shelter, nature trail, horseshoe pits. Daily/annual park pass required. Eau Claire Off Leash Dog Park Recreation Area, 4503 House Rd (Gateway Drive (past Sam's Club) to House road). Open year-round until dusk. Several acre fenced area for dogs to run and frolic off-leash.
Altoona Family Restaurant, 2000 N Hillcrest Pkwy (just north of Hwy 12), ☏ +1 715 830-5000. American/family. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Draganetti's Ristorante, Hillcrest Pkwy at Otter Rd (Hwy 12 and Hwy 53 interchange), ☏ +1 715 834-9234. Open daily at 4PM, closed Mondays during the summer. Italian restaurant. Patio dining available. Entrees $12-19. Subway (at Mega Express), Hillcrest Pkwy at 3rd St E.
Happy Hallow Tavern, 1628 N Hillcrest Pkwy, ☏ +1 715 832-2826. Large bar, food available, several TVs, DJ on some nights. Golden Spike Bar & Grill, 228 Division St (across from the Post Office), ☏ +1 715 552-5526. Renovated with a strikingly appealing exterior. 400 Club, 1411 Spooner Ave, ☏ +1 715 834-6226. Rolly's Coach Club, 2239 Spooner Ave (Across from Hobbs Arena), ☏ +1 715 832-4120.
Otter Creek Inn, 2536 Hwy 12 (from US Hwy 53, take Hwy 12 exit, go east, Inn is immediately on north side of Hwy 12), ☏ +1 715 832-2945, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Bed & Breakfast
From Interstate 94, take exit 70, Altoona has 2 exits off of US Hwy 53. Just east of the City of Eau Claire. Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Starr Avenue, Eau Claire (US Hwy 53 to Melby St. exit). Delta Connection (Mesaba Airlines) from Minneapolis St. Paul and charter service. Rental cars available.
Eau Claire Transit. The City of Eau Claire bus has hourly service to Altoona. Adult fare is $1.50.
Travel tips adapted from Altoona (Wisconsin) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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