This 357.2-mile journey from Randall to Wauwatosa takes you across the Wisconsin landscape in approximately 7 hours and 8 minutes. Designed as a highway-focused drive, it relies heavily on I-94, US-53, and 300th Avenue to bridge the distance. Because you are looking at a full day behind the wheel, it is best planned as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with the duration, though budget around $54 for fuel to cover the mileage. Since both your start and end points are located within the Midwest, the drive offers a consistent regional feel throughout. It is a practical, straightforward route that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads, making it a solid choice for those needing to travel 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.6 miles from Randall, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
232 mi
4h 9m
US 53
58.8 mi
1h 5m
300th Avenue
14.2 mi
20m
State Highway 48
12.4 mi
18m
County Road O
11.3 mi
25m
22 1/2 Avenue
7.9 mi
11m
Knapp Avenue
5.8 mi
7m
10th Street
4.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 232 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Randall, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·30 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Pleasant Prairie Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Pleasant Prairie Road
3
Turn left onto CTH O
11 mi·24 min·County Road O
4
Continue on CTH O
0.1 mi·10 sec·County Highway O
5
Turn slight right onto CTH O
0.2 mi·20 sec·County Road O
6
Turn straight onto WI 48
5.1 mi·7 min·State Highway 48
7
Continue on WI 48
3.2 mi·5 min·Oak Street West
8
Turn right onto WI 35; WI 48; CTH W
1.3 mi·2 min·South Wisconsin Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto CTH W
14 mi·20 min·300th Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
At end of road, turn right onto CTH E
4.7 mi·8 min·10th Street
11
Turn left onto WI 48
7.3 mi·10 min·State Highway 48
12
Turn left onto US 63; WI 48
1.0 mi·2 min·22 1/2 Avenue
13
Continue on Elm Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Elm Street
14
Continue on WI 48
6.9 mi·9 min·22 1/2 Avenue
15
Continue on WI 48
5.8 mi·7 min·Knapp Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto WI 48
125 ft·1 sec·Knapp Avenue
17
Continue on WI 48
200 ft·3 sec·Knapp Avenue
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
19
Merge onto US 53
58 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 53
20
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
21
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft·5 sec·US 53
22
Continue on US 53
441 ft·8 sec·US 53
23
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
24
Merge onto I 94
168 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 305BToward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
0.5 mi·44 sec·Zoo Freeway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 40A-BToward Watertown Plank RoadUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Exit 40AToward Watertown Plank Road EastUse the right lane.
31
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi·2 min·West Watertown Plank Road
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on Harwood Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Harwood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto WI 181
0.2 mi·32 sec·Harmonee Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
34
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
498 ft·21 sec·West Menomonee River Parkway
35
Arrive at destination
West State Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour drive manageable, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is concentrated on major arteries, try to avoid peak traffic hours to ensure your duration stays close to the estimated 7 hours and 8 minutes. Given the $54 fuel estimate, check your vehicle's range before hitting that 232-mile stretch on I-94 to avoid unnecessary fuel anxiety in more remote segments. Because this is a single-day trip, your greatest advantage is flexibility; starting early in the morning allows you to arrive in Wauwatosa well before evening traffic sets in. Use your two planned stops to break up the monotony of the highway segments, ensuring you remain alert for the duration of the trip.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.6 miles from Randall, WI, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232 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 79 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.6 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wauwatosa, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Randall, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Randall, WI
This is one driving day of about 357.2 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Randall, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 232 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 289.4 and 355.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
289.4 mi into trip|~5h 50m 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
353.5 mi into trip|~7h in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
9
354.1 mi into trip|~7h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 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.
Exit 305B
Toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
7
355.5 mi into trip|~7h 3m in
Take the exit toward Watertown Plank Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40A-B
Toward Watertown Plank Road
9
355.6 mi into trip|~7h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Watertown Plank Road East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 40A
Toward Watertown Plank Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.84 one way
$111.69 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$61.31
$122.63
premium
$4.89
$68.74
$137.48
diesel
$5.61
$78.87
$157.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Efficient EV
89.3
1
$31.25
$14.29
EV Truck/SUV
142.9
1
$50.01
$22.86
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Randall, WI
Evening
in Randall on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Evening
in Wauwatosa on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
23 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
7h 8m 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 234
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, with 85% of your travel occurring on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time focused on the road, particularly during the 232-mile stretch on I-94 which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. While the route begins with local transitions on 300th Avenue, the character of the drive shifts quickly into an interstate-heavy rhythm. This is a consistent, highway-focused experience that keeps you moving toward your destination without the frequent distractions of slower, technical backroads. Prepare for a steady, focused drive that requires sustained attention during those long miles on the interstate.
85% 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: 232 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 289.4 miles in near I 94.
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 21 significant decision points across 357.2 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 289.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 353.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 357.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Wauwatosa, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 289.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 353.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.1 miles: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wauwatosa, WI before the return drive.
