Oak Creek to Bellevue is 119.2 miles and takes about 2h 22m via I 43, with a fuel budget near $19 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, highway-focused drive that's easy to complete in a single day. The route is mostly on major freeways, making it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient journey. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal need for complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Oak Creek, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
84.4 mi
1h 30m
North-South Freeway
20.8 mi
25m
John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
4.1 mi
6m
Nicholson Avenue
2.5 mi
6m
Lake Freeway
2.3 mi
3m
South Pennsylvania Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
East Forest Hill Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
South Chicago Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 84.4 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Creek, WI and Bellevue, WI.
1
Start on East Puetz Road
109 ft·9 sec·East Puetz Road
2
Turn left onto WI 32
0.5 mi·1 min·South Chicago Road
3
Turn left onto East Forest Hill Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·East Forest Hill Avenue
4
Turn right onto Nicholson Avenue
2.5 mi·6 min·Nicholson Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on WI 794
1.5 mi·3 min·South Pennsylvania Avenue
6
Turn left onto WI 794
4.1 mi·6 min·John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on I 794
2.3 mi·3 min·Lake Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 794
0.4 mi·33 sec·East-West Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 1B-CToward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 1CToward I 43 North: Green BayUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 43
21 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 43; WI 57
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·I 43; WI 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 178Toward US 141, WI 29, CTH MM: Bellevue, Kewaunee
14
Keep slight right at fork
158 ft·3 sec
15
Turn straight onto US 141
0.2 mi·23 sec·Elm View Road
16
Turn left onto US 141
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
17
Turn right onto WI 29
0.2 mi·13 sec·Kewaunee Road
18
Arrive at destination
WI 29
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this is a perfect same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You could easily leave in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, or depart in the afternoon and be at your destination before dinner. There are no recommended stops, so you can push through or pull over as needed, but it's wise to fuel up before you leave Oak Creek given the $19 estimated fuel cost. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 84.4-mile stretch on I 43, to avoid any unexpected detours for gas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.6 miles from Oak Creek, WI, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.4 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 26 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellevue, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek, WI
This is one driving day of about 119.2 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Oak Creek, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 84.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 118.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|Nicholson Avenue
Turn right onto Nicholson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
5.5 mi into trip|~12m in|WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
Turn left onto WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
12.3 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1B-C
Toward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
8
12.6 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 43 North: Green Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1C
Toward I 43 North: Green Bay
6
118.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 141, WI 29, CTH MM: Bellevue, Kewaunee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 178
Toward US 141, WI 29, CTH MM: Bellevue, Kewaune...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.64 one way
$37.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.46
$40.92
premium
$4.89
$22.94
$45.88
diesel
$5.61
$26.32
$52.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.52
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
EV Truck/SUV
47.7
0
$16.69
$7.63
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Oak Creek, WI
Late night
in Oak Creek on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bellevue, WI
Late night
in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Port Washington, WI
60 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
14 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
2h 22m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 94% of the journey utilizing major freeways. You'll be on I 43 for the longest uninterrupted stretch, covering 84.4 miles on this main artery. The North-South Freeway and John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway are also part of the main roads you'll use. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, as the majority of the route is designed for higher speeds and direct travel. The road character remains largely highway-like throughout your drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.4 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near Nicholson Avenue.
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 11 significant decision points across 119.2 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 1.5 miles (Nicholson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Oak Creek, WI to Bellevue, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Green Bay along the way.
Green Bay
12.3 mi in|~22m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m 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 84.4 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Bellevue, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (Nicholson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bellevue, WI before heading back.
