Traveling from New Berlin to Ettrick, Wisconsin, covers 210.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it without an overnight stay, leaving you plenty of time at your destination. You should budget approximately $32 for fuel to cover the trip. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-94 and I-90, making it a straightforward trek across the Midwest. It is a highly practical drive if you value efficiency and a direct path between these two Wisconsin locations.
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
105.4 miles from New Berlin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
80.4 mi
1h 26m
East-West Freeway
60.2 mi
1h 4m
I 94
29.1 mi
31m
County Highway D
8.3 mi
14m
State Highway 27
8 mi
11m
State Highway 71
7.6 mi
11m
County Road D
6.4 mi
11m
South Moorland Road
3.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 80.4 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Berlin, WI and Ettrick, 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 left at fork onto I 90
17 mi·18 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 28Toward WI 16: Sparta
10
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·4 sec
11
Turn straight onto WI 16
1.0 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
12
Enter roundabout onto WI 16; WI 71
116 ft·6 sec·State Highway 16
13
Continue on WI 16; WI 71
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 16
14
Continue on WI 16; WI 71
0.6 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
15
Turn right onto East Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Avenue
16
Turn left onto East Oak Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·East Oak Street
17
Turn right onto WI 21
0.4 mi·46 sec·South Water Street
18
Turn left onto West Montgomery Street
0.5 mi·56 sec·West Montgomery Street
19
Turn right onto WI 27; WI 71
0.3 mi·26 sec·North Black River Street
20
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
8.0 mi·11 min·State Highway 27
21
Turn left onto WI 71
7.6 mi·11 min·State Highway 71
22
Turn right onto WI 108
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 108
23
Continue on WI 108
0.3 mi·31 sec·Sparta Street
24
Continue on WI 54
0.9 mi·1 min·North Washington Street
25
Continue on WI 54
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Highway 54
26
Turn left onto CTH D
8.3 mi·14 min·County Highway D
27
Continue on CTH D
6.4 mi·11 min·County Road D
28
Continue on CTH D
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
CTH D
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 9-minute trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the interstate monotony. Since the route is efficient, you have the flexibility to depart early in the morning to beat potential traffic or leave later in the day without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 80.4-mile stretch on I-90, as services can occasionally be spaced further apart. Given the high highway percentage, ensure your cruise control is ready to help you maintain a steady, comfortable speed for the majority of the 210.8-mile journey.
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 105.4 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.4 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.4 miles or 1h 56m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ettrick, 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 210.8 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 90 for about 80.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 156.7 — 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.
7
156.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.96 one way
$65.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.18
$72.37
premium
$4.89
$40.57
$81.13
diesel
$5.61
$46.54
$93.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.45
$8.43
EV Truck/SUV
84.3
1
$29.51
$13.49
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 20, 2026
Origin
New Berlin, WI
Late night
in New Berlin on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ettrick, WI
Late night
in Ettrick on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
19 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 9m 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 123.6
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of your travel occurs on major interstates including the East-West Freeway. You will spend a significant portion of the trip on high-speed roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch reaching 80.4 miles on I-90. The drive maintains a consistent pace, transitioning from the busier corridors near New Berlin to the more open stretches leading toward Ettrick. Behind the wheel, you will find this to be a predictable, interstate-heavy route that prioritizes speed and directness over winding local backroads.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East-West Freeway. You will hit about 18 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 Effort6/10
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 210.8 miles you will encounter 18 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.
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 Ettrick, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and La Crosse.
Eau Claire
64.1 mi in|~1h 12m|via I 94
La Crosse
156.7 mi in|~2h 51m|via I 90
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 210.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.4 miles on I 90. 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 Ettrick, 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.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Ettrick, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
