Lomira Rest Area 63
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Oak Creek, WI to Rhinelander, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
256.9 mi
413 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 53m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Creek, WI
Tom Fisk
Rhinelander, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Oak Creek to Rhinelander is 256.9 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I 41 and US Highway 10, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward and efficient option for getting from point A to point B. It’s a good choice if you want to cover ground quickly without a lot of complex navigation.
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
128.4 miles from Oak Creek, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 87.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| US Highway 10 | 46.6 mi | 54m |
| US 51 | 46.5 mi | 53m |
| I 39 | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| US 45 | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| US 8 | 14.3 mi | 20m |
| US 10 | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,046 veh/hr typical · worst 3,595
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Oak Creek, WI and Rhinelander, WI.
1
Start on East Puetz Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Puetz Road
2
Turn right onto WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Howell Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Drexel Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
5
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North-South Freeway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 41; I 94; US 41
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 41; US 41
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
25 mi
·
30 min
·
I 41; I 894; US 41
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New London
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 45
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
47 mi
·
54 min
·
US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
15
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
16
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
17
Continue on I 39; US 51
23 mi
·
25 min
·
I 39; US 51
18
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
47 mi
·
53 min
·
US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
20
Keep slight right at fork
278 ft
·
9 sec
Toward US 8: Rhinelander
21
Turn right onto US 8
14 mi
·
20 min
·
US 8
Use the straight lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto CTH P
139 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Kemp Street
23
Continue on CTH P
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Kemp Street
24
Turn left onto Arbutus Street
476 ft
·
13 sec
·
Arbutus Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on South Petham Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Petham Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn slight left onto South Stevens Street
356 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Stevens Street
27
Turn left onto West King Street
200 ft
·
8 sec
·
West King Street
28
Arrive at destination
West King Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Oak Creek in the morning is ideal to arrive in Rhinelander with plenty of daylight. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and perhaps grab a bite. With the longest stretch on I 41 being 87.9 miles, consider stopping around the halfway point or slightly after to break up the highway driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Rhinelander, as services might become less frequent on the final stretch.
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 128.4 miles from Oak Creek, WI, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.9 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 57 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.4 miles or 2h 32m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhinelander, 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 256.9 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Oak Creek, 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 41 for about 87.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.4 miles from Oak Creek, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Theresa Rest Area 64
0.1 mi from route
64
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 100.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
7.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 41; I 94; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Ma...
8
13.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 41; I 894; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US...
8
38.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
100 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
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.
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
100.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 45 North: New London
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.71 one way
$85.42 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $46.53 | $93.05 |
| premium | $5.18 | $52.42 | $104.84 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $54.11 | $108.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.97 | $12.33 |
| Efficient EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.97 | $16.44 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Oak Creek, WI
Afternoon in Oak Creek on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Isolated Rain Showers
N 5 mph
21% chance
Live 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
Rhinelander, WI
Afternoon in Rhinelander on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live 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
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
1 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
5h 6m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 87.9 miles on I 41. You'll transition to surface roads for the final few miles as you approach Rhinelander. Expect a lot of relatively uninterrupted cruising on well-maintained roads for the majority of the drive.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.9 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in near I 41; I 94; US 41.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 256.9 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 7.6 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.4 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,549 ft
701 ft
Total Climb
1,073 ft
Total Descent
225 ft
Highest Point
1,549 ft
~256.9 mi in
Elevation Range
848 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Rhinelander, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
38.4 mi in
|
~53m
|
via I 41; US 41
About the Cities
Starting in Oak Creek, WI
Full guide →Arriving in Rhinelander, WI
Full guide →Rhinelander is a town in North Central Wisconsin that is a commercial, industrial, and recreation hub for the Northwoods area of Wisconsin. Because of the forests, lakes, and trails in the area, it is both a summer and winter vacation destination. Its population was 8,300 in 2020.
Top landmarks
- • Oneida County Courthouse — county courthouse in Rhinelander, Wisconsin
- • First National Bank — historic bank building in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 256.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.9 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Rhinelander, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.4 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rhinelander, WI before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More from Oak Creek, WI
More trips to Rhinelander, WI
Explore more options from Oak Creek, WI or browse trips ending in Rhinelander, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.