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Trip from New Berlin, WI to Clifton, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h

Distance

151.1 mi

243 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 53m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

New Berlin, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Clifton, WI, WI

Clifton, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 151.1-mile drive from New Berlin, WI, to Clifton, WI, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 3 hours. Designed as a single-day adventure, it's perfect for those looking for an efficient journey within the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate via the East-West Freeway, I-90, and I-94, making it a highway-focused experience. Budget around $23 for fuel for this excursion. With only one recommended stop, this route prioritizes direct travel, offering a clear path for your travels.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

75.6 miles from New Berlin, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East-West Freeway 60.2 mi 1h 4m
I 90 47 mi 50m
I 94 29.1 mi 31m
County Road A 5.6 mi 13m
South Moorland Road 3.3 mi 6m
County Highway A 2.3 mi 5m
East Bridge Street 2 mi 4m
Main Street 0.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: East-West Freeway — 60.2 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Berlin, WI and Clifton, 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 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

47 mi · 50 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 61 Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
9

Keep slight left at fork

81 ft · 7 sec
10

Turn left onto WI 80

2.0 mi · 4 min · East Bridge Street
11

Continue on CTH A

3.9 mi · 9 min · County Road A
12

Continue on CTH A; CTH H

0.9 mi · 2 min · Main Street
13

Continue on CTH A

1.6 mi · 3 min · County Road A
14

Continue on CTH A

2.3 mi · 5 min · County Highway A
15

Arrive at destination

CTH A; CTH N

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration and 151.1-mile distance, this trip is best tackled as a single-day excursion, making it ideal for a spontaneous outing or a focused day trip. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, plan your fuel needs accordingly; the estimated fuel cost is $23. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for the East-West Freeway as it merges with I-90 and I-94 to ensure you stay on the most direct path to Clifton.

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 75.6 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.2 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 33 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.6 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, 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 151.1 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 East-West Freeway for about 60.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

76 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

Farmington, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madison, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.6 miles from New Berlin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.2 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21.6

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 140.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 94 / East-West Freeway

Merge onto I 94 / East-West Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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.
6
140.2 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in

Take the exit toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 61 Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.62 one way

$47.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.94 $51.87
premium $4.89 $29.08 $58.16
diesel $5.61 $33.36 $66.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.3 0 $15.87 $7.25
Efficient EV 37.8 0 $13.22 $6.04
EV Truck/SUV 60.4 0 $21.15 $9.67

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

New Berlin, WI

Morning in New Berlin on Sunday

Local time

9:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clifton, WI

Morning in Clifton on Sunday

Local time

9:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live 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

20 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

3h on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 151.1-mile journey, with 90% of the route utilizing major interstates like the East-West Freeway, I-90, and I-94. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 60.2 miles on the East-West Freeway, so prepare for extended periods of consistent speed. While primarily interstate, this route offers a predictable and efficient driving experience, allowing you to cover ground quickly as you travel between Wisconsin communities.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.2 mi on East-West Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 90. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,018 ft 802 ft

Total Climb

387 ft

Total Descent

348 ft

Highest Point

1,018 ft

~64.8 mi in

Elevation Range

216 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 Clifton, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and New Lisbon.

Eau Claire

64.1 mi in | ~1h 12m | via I 94

New Lisbon

140.2 mi in | ~2h 33m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 151.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 60.2 miles on East-West Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Clifton, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Clifton, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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