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Trip from Milwaukee, WI to Fall Creek, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 31m

Distance

239.6 mi

386 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 18m ★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of Milwaukee County, and largest city in State of Wisconsin, United States

Milwaukee, WI

Wikimedia Commons

village in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, United States

Fall Creek, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Milwaukee to Fall Creek is 239.6 miles and takes about 4h 31m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward drive. It's a solid option for a single-day road trip if you're looking for efficiency and minimal navigation.

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

119.8 miles from Milwaukee, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m 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
Lincoln Avenue 7.5 mi 10m
County Highway R 6.1 mi 10m
County Road AF 1 mi 2m
US Highway 10 0.8 mi 1m
10th Street 0.6 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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Fall Creek, 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 West Use 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 1A Toward I 94 West: Madison Use 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 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Use 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 Paul Use the straight lane.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 88 Toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta
12

Keep slight right at fork

197 ft · 5 sec
13

Merge onto US 10

0.6 mi · 1 min · 10th Street
14

Continue on US 10

0.8 mi · 1 min · US Highway 10
15

Turn left onto CTH R

0.5 mi · 53 sec · County Road R
16

Continue on CTH R

6.1 mi · 10 min · County Highway R
17

Turn left onto CTH O; CTH HH

438 ft · 13 sec · County Highway HH
18

Turn right onto CTH AF

1.0 mi · 2 min · County Road AF
19

Turn left onto US 12

7.5 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

US 12; CTH D

Trip Plan

Consider an early morning departure from Milwaukee to make the most of your driving day and arrive in Fall Creek with plenty of time. With a total duration of around 4.5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in one day, so you have flexibility with stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 87.6-mile stretch on I 94, as services can be more spread out. Budgeting around $42 for fuel should cover the 239.6 miles.

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 119.8 miles from Milwaukee, WI, or about 2h 12m 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 119.8 miles or 2h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fall Creek, 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 239.6 miles and 4h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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.

Downtown Dekorra, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dekorra, WI

120 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Fall River, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Baraboo, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.8 miles from Milwaukee, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break

Discourse Coffee | Downtown

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1 mi

Discourse Coffee | Downtown

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

Visit website

Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. | Bay View

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14144890765

Visit website

Valentine Coffee Roasters on Vliet Street

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14149888018

Visit website

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Poynette Rest Area 12

0 mi from route

Rest area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.1 mi from route

Portage Rest Area 11

0.1 mi from route

Lyndon Station Rest Area 9

0.1 mi from route

Johnson Creek Rest Area 14

0.1 mi from route

Millston Rest Area 53

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Mauston Rest Area 10

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Black River Falls Rest Area 54

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Rest Area

1.8 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

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

$39.84 one way

$79.67 round trip

$4.22/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $43.39 $86.78
premium $5.18 $48.89 $97.78
diesel $5.35 $50.47 $100.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.9 0 $25.16 $11.50
Efficient EV 59.9 0 $20.97 $9.58
EV Truck/SUV 95.8 1 $33.54 $15.33

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 1, 2026

Origin

Milwaukee, WI

Afternoon in Milwaukee on Wednesday

Local time

2:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Rain Showers

0 mph 80% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN

Destination

Fall Creek, WI

Afternoon in Fall Creek on Wednesday

Local time

2:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

0 mph 21% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN

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

4 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

4h 31m 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

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 132.2
Caution: Summit Moraine Segment — Timber Harvest Nearby
Park Closure: Sturgeon Bay Segment — Partial Trail Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is 93% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates like I 94 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 87.6 miles on I 94. You'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of the drive. Be prepared for frequent exits and entrances as you navigate through populated areas and then transition to more open cruising.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?

8/10

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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 239.6 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

Mostly flat terrain

1,001 ft 615 ft

Total Climb

688 ft

Total Descent

364 ft

Highest Point

1,001 ft

~68.5 mi in

Elevation Range

386 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 Fall Creek, 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

About the Cities

Starting in Milwaukee, WI

Full guide →

“Mil Town” · Founded 1846

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

Arriving in Fall Creek, WI

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 239.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 20 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 Fall Creek, 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 20 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Fall Creek, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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