Hudson, WI to West Allis, WI is 306.7 miles and takes about 5h 34m via I 94, I 90, and Second Street, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points within Wisconsin. With 99% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently. It's a single-day trip, perfect for getting from point A to point B 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
153.3 miles from Hudson, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
242 mi
4h 20m
I 90
61.2 mi
1h 5m
Second Street
0.7 mi
1m
South 84th Street
0.7 mi
1m
West Greenfield Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
WI 35
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 242 mi, about 4h 20m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 126 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,485 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,031
Quietest
2 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hudson, WI and West Allis, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi·1 min·Second Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 35
0.5 mi·1 min·WI 35
Toward Eau Claire, River FallsUse the slight left lane.
3
Merge onto I 94; US 12; WI 35
177 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 94; US 12; WI 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 90; I 94
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 306Toward WI 181: 84th StreetUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft·4 sec
Toward WI 181 South: 84th Street South, Milwaukee Mile Speedway, Pettit National Ice CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto WI 181
0.7 mi·1 min·South 84th Street
9
Turn left onto WI 59
0.5 mi·1 min·West Greenfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Arrive at destination
WI 59
Trip Plan
Given the 5.5-hour estimated drive time, starting in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. You can complete this route in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. The longest stretch without a major change is 242 miles on I 94; plan for a fuel and rest stop before or during this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you near the end of the long interstate portion, to avoid any last-minute searches for a gas station.
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 153.3 miles from Hudson, WI, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 242 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 67 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.3 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, WI
This is one driving day of about 306.7 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Hudson, 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 242 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 305.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|WI 35
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 35 toward Eau Claire, River Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Eau Claire, River Falls
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 94; US 12; WI 35
Merge onto I 94; US 12; WI 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
239.4 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
304.5 mi into trip|~5h 28m 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
305.4 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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
$45.29 one way
$90.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.00
$100.00
premium
$4.72
$56.94
$113.89
diesel
$4.80
$57.91
$115.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.20
$14.72
Efficient EV
76.7
0
$26.84
$12.27
EV Truck/SUV
122.7
1
$42.94
$19.63
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Hudson, WI
Late night
in Hudson on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Smoke
SE 0 to 5 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Destination
West Allis, WI
Late night
in West Allis on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Areas Of Smoke
SE 0 to 5 mph5% chanceLive 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
1 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
5h 34m 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 179.8
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the 306.7 miles on major interstates like I 94 and I 90. You'll encounter a long stretch of 242 miles on I 94 before transitioning to surface roads like Second Street. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with the potential for more frequent exits and slower speeds as you approach your destination in West Allis.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 242 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near WI 35.
Driving Effort6/10
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 306.7 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.7 miles (WI 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 94; US 12; WI 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Hudson is a city in the St. Croix Valley of northwestern Wisconsin. It sits along the St. Croix River, which is also the Minnesota border, and is adjacent to and sometimes considered a part of that state's Twin Cities region.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 306.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 242 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (WI 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 94; US 12; WI 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Allis, WI before the return drive.
