Origin
Big Flats, WI
Afternoon in Big Flats on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Flats, WI to West Allis, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
156.4 mi
252 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Flats, WI
Noland Live
West Allis, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Big Flats, WI to West Allis, WI is 156.4 miles and takes about 2h 58m via I 39 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that should feel familiar to anyone who's driven in the region. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily fit this into your schedule without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.2 miles from Big Flats, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 39 | 68.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 94 | 65.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| State Highway 21 | 14.6 mi | 20m |
| State Highway 13 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| South 84th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Greenfield Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| CTH C | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 68.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Flats, WI and West Allis, WI.
1
Start on CTH C
19 ft
·
5 sec
·
CTH C
2
Turn left onto WI 13
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 13
3
Turn left onto WI 21
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 21
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward Portage
5
Merge onto I 39; US 51
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 39; US 51
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 306
Toward WI 181: 84th Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft
·
4 sec
Toward WI 181 South: 84th Street South, Milwaukee Mile Speedway, Pettit National Ice Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto WI 181
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 84th Street
11
Turn left onto WI 59
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Greenfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
WI 59
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving in the morning will get you to West Allis with plenty of the day left. Plan for one stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a break is over 68 miles. Since this is a single-day drive, you can adapt your schedule easily based on traffic or personal needs.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.2 miles from Big Flats, WI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.2 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.2 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Allis, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Big Flats, 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 Big Flats, WI
This is one driving day of about 156.4 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Big Flats, 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 39 for about 68.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.2 miles from Big Flats, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 39 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 20.6 and 155.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
20.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward Portage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Portage
6
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
I 39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
89.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m 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
7
154.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward WI 181: 84th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 306
Toward WI 181: 84th Street
8
155.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 181 South: 84th Street South, Milwaukee Mile Speedway, Pettit National Ice Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WI 181 South: 84th Street South, Milwauk...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.45 one way
$48.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.85 | $53.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.10 | $60.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.53 | $69.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.42 | $7.51 |
| Efficient EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.90 | $10.01 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
West Allis, WI
Afternoon in West Allis on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
2h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 98% of your drive on major roadways like I 39 and I 94. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 68.2 miles on I 39, so settle in for some consistent driving. This profile means you'll likely experience a steady pace with limited need for navigation changes. The character is straightforward, designed for efficient travel between your starting point and destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.2 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and I 94. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.4 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.5 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Big Flats, WI to West Allis, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Portage along the way.
Portage
20.6 mi in
|
~28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 156.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.2 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 West Allis, 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 20.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.5 miles (I 39): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Allis, WI before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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