Trip from Minocqua, WI to New Berlin, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h
Distance
253 mi
407 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Minocqua, WI
apertur 2.8
New Berlin, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Minocqua to New Berlin is 253 miles and takes about 5 hours via I 41 and US 10, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major roadways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll find the route to be mostly highway driving, so expect a consistent pace for most of the trip. This makes it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
126.5 miles from Minocqua, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 83.1 mi | 1h 32m |
| Oneida Street | 70.9 mi | 1h 28m |
| US 10 | 51.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 39 | 29.8 mi | 32m |
| US 45 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| West National Avenue | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| West Oklahoma Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Front Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,802 veh/hr typical · worst 3,336
Quietest
1 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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 Minocqua, WI and New Berlin, WI.
Start on West Front Street
Turn right onto US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 41; US 41
Take the exit
Turn right onto West National Avenue
Continue on West Oklahoma Avenue
Continue on West National Avenue
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, departing in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive with ample daylight. You'll only need one planned stop for this 253-mile drive, so consider a break around the halfway point. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 83.1 miles on I 41. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $39 for the trip. Since this is a single-day route, you have flexibility; however, being mindful of the 70% highway share means you'll want to be prepared for highway speeds and traffic patterns.
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.
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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 32m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Berlin, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Minocqua, 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 Minocqua, WI
This is one driving day of about 253 miles and 5h.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 126.5 miles from Minocqua, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 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.
Love's Travel Stop
Theresa Rest Area 64
64
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Rest Area
George Street Park
Early in the drive, right off the route
Rothschild, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+17153593660
Visit websiteLake Emily County Park
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Amherst Junction, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+17158243175
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 248.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 51 / Oneida Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward National Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.36 one way
$74.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $41.25 | $82.49 |
| premium | $4.72 | $46.97 | $93.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $47.77 | $95.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.57 | $12.14 |
| Efficient EV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.14 | $10.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.2 | 1 | $35.42 | $16.19 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Minocqua, WI
Late night in Minocqua on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Patchy Smoke
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
New Berlin, WI
Late night in New Berlin on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
9 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 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway-based, with about 70% of the drive on major roads like I 41 and US 10. You'll encounter a stretch of 83.1 miles on I 41, which is the longest continuous highway segment. Oneida Street will likely be your entry or exit point onto the surface roads near your destination. Expect a fairly constant cruising speed for the majority of the 5-hour drive, with fewer transitions between highway and local roads than you might anticipate.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and Oneida Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 51 / Oneida Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 253 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: near the start (US 51 / Oneida Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 71 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.2 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
444 ft
Total Descent
1,125 ft
Highest Point
1,602 ft
Elevation Range
826 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Minocqua, WI and New Berlin, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
Waupaca
Appleton
About the Cities
Starting in Minocqua, WI
Full guide →Arriving in New Berlin, WI
Full guide →Founded 1840
New Berlin is in Wisconsin.
Top landmarks
- • Freewill Baptist Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
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 5h. Total distance: 253 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From New Berlin, WI
More from Minocqua, WI
More trips to New Berlin, WI
Explore more options from Minocqua, WI or browse trips ending in New Berlin, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.