Stevens Point, WI to Oak Creek, WI is 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 21m via I 41 and US Highway 10, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Wisconsin, traveling from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a good option for a quick trip between these two Wisconsin locations. You can expect a fairly direct path with minimal complexity, suitable for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.4 miles from Stevens Point, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
87.4 mi
1h 38m
US Highway 10
49.3 mi
57m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
North-South Freeway
3.2 mi
4m
Main Street
2.8 mi
5m
East Puetz Road
2.5 mi
5m
West Drexel Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stevens Point, WI and Oak Creek, WI.
1
Start on WI 66
64 ft·9 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 51 BUS
394 ft·15 sec·Division Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn left onto WI 66
1.0 mi·2 min·Clark Street
4
Continue on WI 66
2.8 mi·5 min·Main Street
5
Continue on US 10
49 mi·57 min·US Highway 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
8
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
3.2 mi·4 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 321Toward Drexel AvenueUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Drexel Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·South Howell Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto East Puetz Road
2.5 mi·5 min·East Puetz Road
16
Arrive at destination
East Puetz Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 21m estimated drive time, departing Stevens Point in the morning should allow ample time to reach Oak Creek before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $26, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. To make the most of the drive, consider starting your trip after the morning rush hour to minimize potential delays on I 41. The longest stretch on I 41 is over 87 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment.
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 83.4 miles from Stevens Point, WI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Creek, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stevens Point, 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 Stevens Point, WI
This is one driving day of about 166.7 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Stevens Point, 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 87.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 163.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 51 BUS / Division Street
Turn left onto US 51 BUS / Division Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
53.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
157.1 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
7
161.6 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward Drexel Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 321
Toward Drexel Avenue
6
163.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|WI 38 / South Howell Avenue
Turn right onto WI 38 / South Howell Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.06 one way
$52.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.61
$57.23
premium
$4.89
$32.08
$64.16
diesel
$5.61
$36.81
$73.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
Efficient EV
41.7
0
$14.59
$6.67
EV Truck/SUV
66.7
0
$23.34
$10.67
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Stevens Point, WI
Morning
in Stevens Point on Tuesday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oak Creek, WI
Morning
in Oak Creek on Tuesday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
5 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
3h 21m 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 heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the route on interstates and major roads. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway, 87.4 miles on I 41, before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a substantial amount of time on I 41, which features frequent exits and merges as you approach more populated areas. The initial portion of the drive allows for steady cruising.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near US 51 BUS / Division Street.
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 12 significant decision points across 166.7 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: near the start (US 51 BUS / Division Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.1 miles (I 41; US 41): 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 3h 21m. Total distance: 166.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m 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 87.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Oak Creek, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 51 BUS / Division Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Oak Creek, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
