Mequon, WI to New Richmond, WI is 318.2 miles and takes about 6h 1m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest drive stays within Wisconsin, offering a straightforward trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day transit.
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
159.1 miles from Mequon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
165.7 mi
2h 57m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
East-West Freeway
54.8 mi
58m
State Highway 65
9.9 mi
14m
West Capitol Drive
7.1 mi
10m
Zoo Freeway
4.5 mi
6m
Redford Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
North Swan Road
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 165.7 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 152 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,868 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,433
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Mequon, WI and New Richmond, WI.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·43 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto North Swan Road
1.8 mi·3 min·North Swan Road
3
Turn right onto West County Line Road
1.0 mi·1 min·West County Line Road
4
Turn left onto CTH F
0.9 mi·1 min·North 107th Street
5
Turn right onto WI 100
1.0 mi·1 min·West Brown Deer Road
6
Turn left onto WI 145
1.3 mi·2 min·North 124th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 41 South, US 45Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45; WI 100
4.5 mi·6 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 44Toward WI 190, I 94 West Alternate: Capitol DriveUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·39 sec
Toward WI 190 EastUse the right lane.
11
Turn straight onto WI 190
7.1 mi·10 min·West Capitol Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·51 sec
13
Keep slight left at fork
208 ft·9 sec
14
Turn left onto CTH F
2.5 mi·4 min·Redford Boulevard
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
16
Merge onto I 94; WI 164
1.3 mi·1 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
137 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
21
Take the exit onto Exit 10
0.3 mi·32 sec·Exit 10
Exit 10Toward WI 65: River Falls, New Richmond
22
Keep slight right at fork
257 ft·6 sec
Toward WI 65 NORTH
23
Turn straight onto WI 65
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
Toward Roberts, New Richmond
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
114 ft·6 sec·State Highway 65
25
Continue on WI 65
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto US 12; WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·US-12 & WI-65
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
204 ft·11 sec·State Highway 65
28
Continue on WI 65
5.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 65
29
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
139 ft·2 sec·State Highway 65
30
Continue on WI 65
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 65
31
Continue on WI 65
0.2 mi·28 sec·State Highway 65
32
Continue on WI 65
1.3 mi·3 min·South Knowles Avenue
33
Turn right onto CTH K
259 ft·8 sec·East 1st Street
34
Arrive at destination
CTH K
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. While you can complete this in a single day, the option for a stop makes it more relaxed. Plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 165.7-mile stretch on I 94. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach New Richmond, and note the estimated $49 fuel cost. This route's interstate nature means rest areas are generally frequent.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.1 miles from Mequon, WI, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.7 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 70 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.1 miles or 3h 3m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Richmond, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mequon, 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 Mequon, WI
This is one driving day of about 318.2 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Mequon, 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 165.7 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 169 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward I 41 South, US 45
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 41 South, US 45
8
11 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward WI 190, I 94 West Alternate: Capitol Drive
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 44
Toward WI 190, I 94 West Alternate: Capitol Dri...
8
11.1 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 190 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward WI 190 East
9
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
8
169 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.08 one way
$106.16 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$57.91
$115.83
premium
$5.25
$65.81
$131.61
diesel
$6.28
$78.62
$157.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.5
1
$33.41
$15.27
Efficient EV
79.6
0
$27.84
$12.73
EV Truck/SUV
127.3
1
$44.55
$20.36
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Mequon, WI
Late night
in Mequon on Thursday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New Richmond, WI
Late night
in New Richmond on Thursday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% 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
6h 1m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 131.7
Park Closure: Trail Segment Temporarily Inaccessible — Hartman Creek Segment
Park Closure: Cross Plains 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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 318.2 miles on interstates. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 165.7 miles on I 94 without needing to exit. The majority of the driving will be on established interstates like I 94 and I 90, meaning you can expect consistent cruising speeds and a high volume of exits. Surface roads will become more prevalent only in the final portions of the drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 318.2 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 6.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,214 ft735 ft
Total Climb
878 ft
Total Descent
633 ft
Highest Point
1,214 ft
~295.4 mi in
Elevation Range
478 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mequon, WI and New Richmond, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and Saint Paul.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 1m. Total distance: 318.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.7 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 New Richmond, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.1 miles: 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New Richmond, WI before the return drive.
