If you are planning to travel from Ettrick to Wauwatosa, you are looking at a straightforward 213.6-mile journey across Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $32, it is an economical choice for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, you can maintain a steady pace throughout the drive. You will stay entirely within the Midwest, transitioning from the western part of the state toward the eastern metropolitan area. Whether you are heading out for business or pleasure, this route offers a reliable and efficient connection between these two Wisconsin locations.
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
106.8 miles from Ettrick, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
108.4 mi
1h 56m
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
County Highway D
8.3 mi
14m
State Highway 27
8 mi
10m
State Highway 71
7.6 mi
11m
County Road D
6.4 mi
11m
East Wisconsin Street
1.6 mi
2m
State Highway 108
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 108.4 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ettrick, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on CTH D
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Main Street
2
Continue on CTH D
6.4 mi·11 min·County Road D
3
Continue on CTH D
8.3 mi·14 min·County Highway D
4
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
0.3 mi·22 sec·State Highway 54
5
Continue on WI 54
0.9 mi·1 min·North Washington Street
6
Turn straight onto WI 108
0.3 mi·31 sec·Sparta Street
7
Continue on WI 108
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 108
8
Turn left onto WI 71
7.6 mi·11 min·State Highway 71
9
At end of road, turn right onto WI 27; WI 71
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 27
10
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
0.3 mi·33 sec·Black River Street
11
Turn left onto West Montgomery Street
0.5 mi·56 sec·West Montgomery Street
12
Turn right onto WI 21
0.4 mi·47 sec·North Water Street
13
Turn left onto East Oak Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·East Oak Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto East Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Avenue
15
Turn left onto WI 16; WI 71
0.6 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
16
Continue on WI 16; WI 71
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 16
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 16
109 ft·6 sec·East Wisconsin Street
18
Continue on WI 16
1.0 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
19
Continue on WI 16
0.2 mi·17 sec·State Highway 16
20
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
21
Merge onto I 90
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 90
Use the straight lane.
22
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.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
0.5 mi·44 sec·Zoo Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 40A-BToward Watertown Plank RoadUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Exit 40AToward Watertown Plank Road EastUse the right lane.
28
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi·2 min·West Watertown Plank Road
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on Harwood Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Harwood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto WI 181
0.2 mi·32 sec·Harmonee Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
498 ft·21 sec·West Menomonee River Parkway
32
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 13-minute trip stress-free, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs. Since this route is highly efficient, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning or early afternoon without worrying about an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $32 estimate is a baseline; filling up before you hit the longest 108.4-mile stretch of I-90 is a smart way to avoid unnecessary pit stops. Pay close attention to traffic patterns as you approach the Wauwatosa area, as the highway density increases significantly near your destination. If possible, avoid peak commuter hours to ensure your total travel time remains as close to the four-hour mark as possible.
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 106.8 miles from Ettrick, WI, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.4 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 47 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 28m
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 Ettrick, 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 Ettrick, WI
This is one driving day of about 213.6 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Ettrick, 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 90 for about 108.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 145.8 and 212.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
145.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
210 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
210.6 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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
211.9 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
212.1 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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
$33.39 one way
$66.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.67
$73.33
premium
$4.89
$41.11
$82.21
diesel
$5.61
$47.16
$94.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.1
0
$22.43
$10.25
Efficient EV
53.4
0
$18.69
$8.54
EV Truck/SUV
85.4
1
$29.90
$13.67
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Ettrick, WI
Night
in Ettrick on Saturday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Night
in Wauwatosa on Saturday
Local time
11:27 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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 13m 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 88.4
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its efficiency, as 89% of your travel time will be spent on highways. You will primarily utilize I-90 and I-94 to cover the bulk of the distance, providing a predictable experience for the driver. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 108.4 miles on I-90, allowing you to settle into a rhythm once you merge onto the interstate. While the majority of your time is spent on high-speed roads, you will also utilize County Highway D to navigate between segments. The transition from the rural feel of the Ettrick area to the more developed surroundings of Wauwatosa happens gradually, keeping the driving style consistent and focused on the main transit corridors.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 145.8 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 20 significant decision points across 213.6 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 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 210 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 213.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.4 miles on I 90. 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 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 210 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.6 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Wauwatosa, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
