Connecting Denmark to Wauwatosa is a straightforward 103.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 3 minutes. Because this trip is well within the range of a comfortable day excursion, you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel makes this an economical choice for a quick trip across the Midwest. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, making this a highly efficient transit route. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the lack of required stops allows for a flexible schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.6 miles from Denmark, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
97.4 mi
1h 47m
West State Street
2.7 mi
7m
West Highland Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Depere Road
0.7 mi
1m
West Highland Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Main Street
0.1 mi
<1m
WI 96
0.1 mi
<1m
North 35th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 97.4 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denmark, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on this road
63 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto CTH KB
0.1 mi·24 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on CTH KB
0.5 mi·1 min·Depere Road
4
Enter roundabout onto CTH KB
133 ft·7 sec·Depere Road
5
Continue on CTH KB
0.1 mi·15 sec·Depere Road
6
Continue on WI 96
0.1 mi·20 sec·WI 96
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·41 sec
8
Merge onto I 43
97 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 72EToward Highland Avenue, 11th StreetUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto US 18
1.1 mi·2 min·West Highland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 18
0.5 mi·1 min·West Highland Boulevard
12
Turn left onto US 18
276 ft·8 sec·North 35th Street
13
Turn right onto West Linden Place
120 ft·4 sec·West Linden Place
14
Turn straight onto West State Street
2.7 mi·7 min·West State Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Aim to avoid peak traffic hours when transitioning from the open highway onto West State Street and West Highland Avenue to ensure a smooth arrival. You likely won't need a formal stop given the 2-hour duration, but keeping your fuel budget of $16 in mind for a quick refill before departure is a smart move. Because the longest stretch of 97.4 miles takes place on I-43, make sure your vehicle is prepared for sustained interstate speeds. Taking advantage of the route's direct nature allows you to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.6 miles from Denmark, WI, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.6 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
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 Denmark, 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 Denmark, WI
This is one driving day of about 103.3 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Denmark, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 97.4 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 99 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CTH KB / Main Street
Turn left onto CTH KB / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|CTH KB / Depere Road
Enter roundabout onto CTH KB / Depere Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|I 43
Merge onto I 43
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
98.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward Highland Avenue, 11th Street
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 72E
Toward Highland Avenue, 11th Street
6
99 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 18 / West Highland Avenue
Turn right onto US 18 / West Highland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.15 one way
$32.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.73
$35.46
premium
$4.89
$19.88
$39.76
diesel
$5.61
$22.81
$45.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31
0
$10.85
$4.96
Efficient EV
25.8
0
$9.04
$4.13
EV Truck/SUV
41.3
0
$14.46
$6.61
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Denmark, WI
Afternoon
in Denmark on Sunday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Afternoon
in Wauwatosa on Sunday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Cedar Grove, WI
52 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
4 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 3m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 94% of your travel occurs on main roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-43, which accounts for a 97.4-mile stretch of the journey. This creates a consistent rhythm, allowing you to maintain a steady pace for nearly the entire trip. As you move toward the destination, the route transitions from the open interstate onto West State Street and West Highland Avenue. While the interstate portion is defined by high-speed efficiency, the final local segments offer a change of pace as you reach the Wauwatosa area.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.4 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and West State Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CTH KB / Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 3m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CTH KB / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (CTH KB / Depere Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.3 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 103.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 97.4 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CTH KB / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (CTH KB / Depere Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.3 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wauwatosa, WI before heading back.
