New Richmond, WI to Mequon, WI is 318.2 miles and takes about 6h 2m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, taking you through the Midwest region. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. You'll likely find it to be a functional route for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
159.1 miles from New Richmond, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
283.9 mi
5h 4m
State Highway 65
10.1 mi
14m
Capitol Drive
7.1 mi
10m
Zoo Freeway
4.4 mi
6m
Redford Boulevard
2.4 mi
4m
North Swan Road
1.8 mi
3m
South Knowles Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
WI 65
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 283.9 mi, about 5h 4m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,864 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,373
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
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 Richmond, WI and Mequon, WI.
1
Start on CTH K
259 ft·12 sec·East 1st Street
2
Turn left onto WI 65
1.3 mi·3 min·South Knowles Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on WI 65
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 65
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
127 ft·2 sec·State Highway 65
5
Continue on WI 65
5.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 65
6
Turn slight right onto WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·WI 65
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
231 ft·13 sec·State Highway 65
8
Continue on WI 65
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
110 ft·6 sec·State Highway 65
10
Continue on WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
11
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 65
12
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
94 ft·5 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
13
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·16 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
14
Enter roundabout
293 ft·17 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
15
Continue
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
16
Merge onto I 94
228 mi·4 hr 4 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
20
Turn left onto CTH F
2.4 mi·4 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right
0.3 mi·58 sec
22
Turn straight onto WI 190
7.1 mi·10 min·Capitol Drive
Use the left lane.
23
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·31 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
322 ft·21 sec
25
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 North, US 45 NorthUse the straight / left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
4.4 mi·6 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 48Toward WI 145Use the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft·4 sec
Toward WI 145 NorthUse the right lane.
29
Turn right onto WI 145
1.0 mi·1 min·North 124th Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto WI 100
1.0 mi·1 min·West Brown Deer Road
31
Turn left onto CTH F
1.0 mi·2 min·North 107th Street
32
Turn right onto West County Line Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West County Line Road
33
Turn left onto North Swan Road
1.8 mi·3 min·North Swan Road
34
Turn left
0.1 mi·41 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour estimated drive time, departing in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. The route is designed for a single day, so you can be flexible with your timing. Plan for one stop to break up the 283.9-mile stretch on I 94, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $49, and it's always wise to top off before heading into more rural stretches or busy urban areas.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.1 miles from New Richmond, WI, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.9 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 70 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.1 miles or 2h 57m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mequon, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Richmond, 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 Richmond, WI
This is one driving day of about 318.2 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from New Richmond, 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 283.9 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.4 and 312.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.4 mi into trip|~19m in
Enter roundabout toward Eau Claire, Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
8
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
296.8 mi into trip|~5h 25m in
Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
8
307.1 mi into trip|~5h 42m in
Take the ramp toward I 41 North, US 45 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North
8
312.3 mi into trip|~5h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 145 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward WI 145 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.90 one way
$105.81 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$57.63
$115.25
premium
$5.18
$64.93
$129.86
diesel
$5.35
$67.02
$134.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.5
1
$33.41
$15.27
Efficient EV
79.6
0
$27.84
$12.73
EV Truck/SUV
127.3
1
$44.55
$20.36
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
New Richmond, WI
Afternoon
in New Richmond on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 0 to 5 mph72% chanceLive 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
Mequon, WI
Afternoon
in Mequon on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Isolated Rain Showers
0 mph21% chanceLive 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
87°F
Lodi, WI
159 mi in
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
7 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
6h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 186.6
Park Closure: Janesville 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?
You'll spend about 94% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 283.9 miles on I 94. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near the end of your drive, as I 94 gives way to State Highway 65 and eventually Capitol Drive. Expect a consistent highway pace for the majority of the trip, with a notable increase in exits and potential for urban merging as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 318.2 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 12.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 296.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,196 ft735 ft
Total Climb
617 ft
Total Descent
863 ft
Highest Point
1,196 ft
~22.7 mi in
Elevation Range
461 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Richmond, WI and Mequon, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.
Cth F: Waukesha
296.8 mi in|~5h 25m
Sussex
296.8 mi in|~5h 25m
Cth F North: Waukesha
297.1 mi in|~5h 25m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 318.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 283.9 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Mequon, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 296.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mequon, WI before the return drive.
