New Berlin, WI to Clayton, WI is 305.3 miles and takes about 5h 48m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Wisconsin route stays within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward trip. With over 90% of the drive on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. Plan for a single day of driving, as the duration is well within typical limits for a day trip.
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
152.7 miles from New Berlin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
147.5 mi
2h 38m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
East-West Freeway
60.2 mi
1h 4m
State Highway 128
14.8 mi
23m
County Highway P
6.7 mi
11m
20th Street
5.9 mi
10m
South Moorland Road
3.3 mi
6m
US 63
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 147.5 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 78 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,910 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,409
Quietest
2 AM
~129 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.8×
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 New Berlin, WI and Clayton, WI.
1
Start on West National Avenue
69 ft·1 sec·West National Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto CTH O
3.3 mi·6 min·South Moorland Road
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto I 94
6.7 mi·7 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
118 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto 28
0.1 mi·18 sec·28
Toward WI 128: Spring Valley, Glenwood City
10
Keep slight right at fork
310 ft·8 sec
Toward WI 128: Glenwood City
11
Turn right onto WI 128
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 128
12
Continue on WI 128
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Oak Street
13
Turn left onto WI 128
0.4 mi·46 sec·1st Street
14
Continue on WI 128
5.7 mi·10 min·State Highway 128
15
Continue on CTH P
5.0 mi·8 min·County Highway P
16
Continue on CTH P
5.9 mi·10 min·20th Street
17
Continue on CTH P
1.6 mi·2 min·County Highway P
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 63
1.7 mi·2 min·US 63
19
Turn right onto CTH D
0.1 mi·19 sec·County Highway D
20
Turn left onto East Clayton Avenue
232 ft·10 sec·East Clayton Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East Clayton Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 48m estimated drive time, leaving New Berlin in the morning should allow you to reach Clayton with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest stretch without an exit is 147.5 miles on I 94, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. While the fuel cost is estimated at $54, it's always wise to carry a little extra. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially before tackling the longer interstate portion.
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 152.7 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.5 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 67 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.7 miles or 2h 47m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clayton, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Berlin, 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 New Berlin, WI
This is one driving day of about 305.3 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from New Berlin, 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 147.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.6 and 275.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.6 mi into trip|~14m 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
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
93.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
156.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
6
275.3 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 128: Glenwood City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward WI 128: Glenwood City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.09 one way
$90.17 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$49.77
$99.55
premium
$4.72
$56.68
$113.37
diesel
$4.80
$57.65
$115.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.6
1
$32.06
$14.65
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.71
$12.21
EV Truck/SUV
122.1
1
$42.74
$19.54
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
New Berlin, WI
Late night
in New Berlin on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:54AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Destination
Clayton, WI
Late night
in Clayton on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:54AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 48m 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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 126.3
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?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 305.3 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 147.5 miles on I 94 without needing to exit. Expect a consistent highway feel for most of the drive, with the transition to surface roads likely occurring closer to your destination in Clayton, WI. The dense network of exits on the interstates means frequent opportunities to get off if needed.
94% 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: 147.5 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 10.6 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.
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 14 significant decision points across 305.3 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 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,205 ft799 ft
Total Climb
926 ft
Total Descent
642 ft
Highest Point
1,205 ft
~305.3 mi in
Elevation Range
406 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Berlin, WI and Clayton, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul and Glenwood City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 305.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 147.5 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Clayton, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.2 miles (I 90; I 94): 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clayton, WI before the return drive.
