Milwaukee to Ellsworth is 292.1 miles and takes about 5h 45m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, entirely within Wisconsin, making it a straightforward trip. With 97% highway, expect a predominantly high-speed experience. Given its duration and highway focus, this route is best suited for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
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
146 miles from Milwaukee, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
87.6 mi
1h 34m
East-West Freeway
70.9 mi
1h 19m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 10
61.6 mi
1h 25m
East Main Street
3.7 mi
8m
10th Street
3.5 mi
6m
Mondovi Street East
0.4 mi
1m
North Jackson Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 87.6 mi, about 1h 34m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 128 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,415 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,985
Quietest
2 AM
~206 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Milwaukee, WI and Ellsworth, WI.
1
Start on US 18; WI 32
45 ft·8 sec·North Milwaukee Street
2
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·East Wisconsin Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·North Jackson Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 794 WestUse the straight / slight right / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 794
0.2 mi·21 sec·East-West Freeway
6
Continue on I 794
17 mi·21 min·East-West Freeway
Exit 1AToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 88Toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta
12
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft·6 sec
13
Turn left onto US 10
3.5 mi·6 min·10th Street
14
Continue on US 10
10 mi·13 min·US Highway 10
15
Continue on US 10
0.4 mi·1 min·Mondovi Street East
16
Continue on US 10
8.9 mi·12 min·US Highway 10
17
Continue on US 10
2.2 mi·4 min·East Main Street
18
Continue on US 10
42 mi·58 min·US Highway 10
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 10; US 63
0.3 mi·34 sec·US Highway 10
20
Continue on US 10; US 63
1.5 mi·4 min·East Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 10; US 63
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and minimize traffic, aim to depart from Milwaukee in the morning. Since this is a single-day drive, you can be flexible with your stops. The primary roads are I 94 and I 90, so keep an eye on typical highway conditions. With a fuel cost estimated around $46, plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially considering the longest stretch of highway is 87.6 miles. This route is manageable in one day, so you don't need to plan for an overnight stay.
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 146 miles from Milwaukee, WI, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.6 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146 miles or 2h 40m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellsworth, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI
This is one driving day of about 292.1 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Milwaukee, 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 87.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 164.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 794 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right / right lanes.
Toward I 794 West
6
18 mi into trip|~23m in|I 94 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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...
6
100.6 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
164.1 mi into trip|~3h 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
$51.04 one way
$102.07 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.80
$55.22
$110.45
premium
$5.37
$61.74
$123.49
diesel
$5.52
$63.51
$127.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-25.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.6
1
$30.67
$14.02
Efficient EV
73
0
$25.56
$11.68
EV Truck/SUV
116.8
1
$40.89
$18.69
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Milwaukee, WI
Afternoon
in Milwaukee on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 8:31AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Ellsworth, WI
Afternoon
in Ellsworth on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 8:31AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
63°F
Elroy, WI
146 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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 45m 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 130.9
Park Closure: Devil’s Lake Segment — Balanced Rock Trail Closed May 4–8
Park Closure: Lodi 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?
You'll be on the highway for 97% of this 292.1-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 87.6 miles, which occurs on I 94. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal transitions to surface roads. The route features a high density of exits for much of its length.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 292.1 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 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,209 ft615 ft
Total Climb
1,058 ft
Total Descent
464 ft
Highest Point
1,209 ft
~292.1 mi in
Elevation Range
594 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Milwaukee, WI and Ellsworth, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Cth R: Osseo and Augusta.
Eau Claire
71.5 mi in|~1h 21m|via I 94
Saint Paul
164.1 mi in|~3h|via I 94
Cth R: Osseo
222.6 mi in|~4h 3m
Augusta
222.6 mi in|~4h 3m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin, United States. The city celebrates its heritage as a major center for beer-brewing, and of it German and Polish communities. It is now known for its many festivals.
The city's population is about 600,000 with about 1.6 million in the metropolitan area (2019). It is in the southeastern portion of the state on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
Top landmarks
•Milwaukee Art Museum — art museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
•Milwaukee City Hall — municipal office in E. Wells St. Milwaukee, United States
•Basilica of St. Josaphat — church building in Milwaukee, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 292.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Ellsworth, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles (I 94): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ellsworth, WI before the return drive.
