This 260.2-mile drive from Anson, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes. You'll spend about 95% of your time on highways, with the longest stretch covering 232 miles on I 94. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $41, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. This route focuses on efficient travel, getting you between these two Wisconsin points with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.1 miles from Anson, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
232 mi
4h 9m
US 53
15.3 mi
17m
County Highway S
3.3 mi
5m
County Highway O
2.8 mi
6m
County Highway S South
1.7 mi
3m
West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi
2m
Zoo Freeway
0.5 mi
<1m
County Road S
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 232 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anson, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on 190th Street
72 ft·5 sec·190th Street
2
Turn right onto CTH O
2.8 mi·6 min·County Highway O
3
Turn left onto CTH S
0.4 mi·42 sec·County Road S
4
Continue on CTH S
1.7 mi·3 min·County Highway S South
5
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
127 ft·2 sec·County Highway S
6
Continue on CTH S
1.2 mi·2 min·County Highway S
7
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
140 ft·2 sec·County Highway S
8
Continue on CTH S
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway S
9
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
145 ft·3 sec·County Highway S
10
Continue on CTH S
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway S
11
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 53 South: Eau Claire
12
Merge onto US 53
15 mi·17 min·US 53
13
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
14
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft·5 sec·US 53
15
Continue on US 53
441 ft·8 sec·US 53
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
17
Merge onto I 94
168 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 305BToward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
0.5 mi·44 sec·Zoo Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 40A-BToward Watertown Plank RoadUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Exit 40AToward Watertown Plank Road EastUse the right lane.
24
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi·2 min·West Watertown Plank Road
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on Harwood Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Harwood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto WI 181
0.2 mi·32 sec·Harmonee Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
498 ft·21 sec·West Menomonee River Parkway
28
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 53-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Wauwatosa. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in planning your break; perhaps around the 2-hour mark would be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on I 94 is a considerable 232 miles, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $41 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting your trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.1 miles from Anson, WI, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.1 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wauwatosa, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anson, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anson, WI
This is one driving day of about 260.2 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Anson, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 232 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 192.3 and 258.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
192.3 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
256.5 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
9
257.1 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 305B
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
7
258.4 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward Watertown Plank Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40A-B
Toward Watertown Plank Road
9
258.6 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Watertown Plank Road East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 40A
Toward Watertown Plank Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.68 one way
$81.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.66
$89.33
premium
$4.89
$50.07
$100.15
diesel
$5.61
$57.45
$114.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.1
0
$27.32
$12.49
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.77
$10.41
EV Truck/SUV
104.1
1
$36.43
$16.65
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Anson, WI
Late night
in Anson on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Late night
in Wauwatosa on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Adams, WI
130 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 53m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 134.6
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the most part, with 95% of your journey on major roadways like I 94 and US 53. The bulk of your travel, a continuous 232 miles, will be on I 94, offering a consistent pace. County Highway S will feature briefly as you approach your destination, offering a slight change in scenery from the interstate. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes covering distance efficiently over winding scenic byways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 192.3 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 260.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 192.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 260.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Wauwatosa, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 192.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Wauwatosa, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
