If you are heading south from Manitowoc Rapids to Wauwatosa, you are looking at a straightforward 82.6-mile journey through Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 41 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Since the drive is relatively short and contained within the Midwest, you won't need to worry about splitting it into multiple days. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire trip. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing major transit corridors to get you to your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.3 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
75.5 mi
1h 24m
West State Street
2.7 mi
7m
North Rapids Road
1.8 mi
3m
West Highland Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
West Highland Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Calumet Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North 35th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
West Linden Place
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 75.5 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manitowoc Rapids, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on CTH R
1.8 mi·3 min·North Rapids Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto WI 42
0.3 mi·49 sec·Calumet Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 43
76 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 72EToward Highland Avenue, 11th StreetUse the slight right lane.
6
Turn right onto US 18
1.1 mi·2 min·West Highland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 18
0.5 mi·1 min·West Highland Boulevard
8
Turn left onto US 18
276 ft·8 sec·North 35th Street
9
Turn right onto West Linden Place
120 ft·4 sec·West Linden Place
10
Turn straight onto West State Street
2.7 mi·7 min·West State Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a compact trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule without needing to plan for overnight stops. Since you will be spending the vast majority of your time on I-43, keep a close eye on traffic patterns as you near the Wauwatosa area, where highway volume can fluctuate. There are no mandatory stops required for a drive of this duration, allowing you to complete the trip in one continuous push. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider filling your tank before leaving Manitowoc Rapids to avoid mid-trip fuel stops. Use the 1-hour and 41-minute window to your advantage by checking real-time traffic updates before you pull out of your driveway.
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 41.3 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.5 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 48m 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 20m
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 Manitowoc Rapids, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Manitowoc Rapids, WI
This is one driving day of about 82.6 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 75.5 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 78.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CTH R / North Rapids Road
Depart onto CTH R / North Rapids Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|I 43
Merge onto I 43
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
78 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 29m 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
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.18
$28.36
premium
$4.89
$15.90
$31.79
diesel
$5.61
$18.24
$36.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.8
0
$8.67
$3.96
Efficient EV
20.7
0
$7.23
$3.30
EV Truck/SUV
33
0
$11.56
$5.29
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Manitowoc Rapids, WI
Late night
in Manitowoc Rapids on Sunday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Late night
in Wauwatosa on Sunday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Port Washington, WI
41 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
13 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
1h 41m 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 drive is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your travel time spent on major routes like I-43. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 75.5 miles of interstate driving. Transitioning from the regional roads of Manitowoc Rapids onto the interstate provides a consistent, high-speed experience for the bulk of your commute. As you approach Wauwatosa, the route shifts from open highway segments to local navigation via North Rapids Road and West State Street. You can expect a predictable, efficient experience that favors speed over winding secondary roads.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.5 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 R / North Rapids Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 41m 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 R / North Rapids Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 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 1h 41m. Total distance: 82.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 75.5 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (CTH R / North Rapids Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 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.
