If you are planning a quick transition from Lodi to Wauwatosa, you are looking at a straightforward 90-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 43 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily complete the drive in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel for the trip, making it a very budget-friendly way to navigate between these two Wisconsin locations. Because the route stays entirely within the Midwest, you will find the transition between these two areas familiar and easy to manage. It is an efficient path for travelers who value a direct, no-fuss connection over a long-distance scenic tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45 miles from Lodi, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
I 39
17.7 mi
18m
State Highway 60
3.8 mi
5m
West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi
2m
Zoo Freeway
0.5 mi
<1m
Portage Street
0.4 mi
1m
Harwood Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Harmonee Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lodi, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on WI 113
34 ft·5 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto WI 60
0.4 mi·1 min·Portage Street
3
Continue on WI 60
3.8 mi·5 min·State Highway 60
4
Enter roundabout
46 ft·2 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
18 mi·18 min·I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
0.5 mi·44 sec·Zoo Freeway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 40A-BToward Watertown Plank RoadUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Exit 40AToward Watertown Plank Road EastUse the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi·2 min·West Watertown Plank Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Harwood Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Harwood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto WI 181
0.2 mi·32 sec·Harmonee Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
498 ft·21 sec·West Menomonee River Parkway
17
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the interstates is always a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops included in this 90-mile run, you can comfortably push through to your destination without feeling the need to break up the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-94, as that long 64.2-mile stretch is where you will spend the bulk of your time. If you find yourself needing a rest, remember that the high percentage of highway travel means exits are generally frequent and easy to access. Prioritize steady pacing during the interstate portions to ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival in Wauwatosa.
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 45 miles from Lodi, WI, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45 miles or 50m 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 22m
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 Lodi, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lodi, WI
This is one driving day of about 90 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Lodi, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 64.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 88.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.2 mi into trip|~26m 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
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
88.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
$14.07 one way
$28.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.45
$30.90
premium
$4.89
$17.32
$34.64
diesel
$5.61
$19.87
$39.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27
0
$9.45
$4.32
Efficient EV
22.5
0
$7.87
$3.60
EV Truck/SUV
36
0
$12.60
$5.76
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (65% 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
Lodi, WI
Afternoon
in Lodi on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Afternoon
in Wauwatosa on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Farmington, WI
45 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 43m 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?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 96% of your time spent on major thoroughfares including I-94, I-39, and State Highway 60. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience rather than a winding backroad cruise. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on the interstate, highlighted by a significant 64.2-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-94. Because the route relies so heavily on these primary arteries, the drive feels utilitarian and fast-paced. You will spend very little time navigating local streets, meaning you can maintain a steady momentum from start to finish.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90 miles you will encounter 13 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 22.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.9 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 1h 43m. Total distance: 90 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 miles on I 94. 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 Wauwatosa, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wauwatosa, WI before heading back.
