Tainter Lake, WI to New Berlin, WI is 266.8 miles and takes about 4h 55m via I 94 and County Road B, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. Given that the route is mostly highway, expect a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, you can easily make this drive without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option if you need to get from the Tainter Lake area to New Berlin efficiently.
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
133.4 miles from Tainter Lake, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
253.8 mi
4h 32m
County Road B
3.8 mi
5m
South Moorland Road
3.2 mi
6m
County Road D
3 mi
5m
County Road BB
1 mi
1m
County Road G
0.8 mi
1m
622nd Street
0.2 mi
1m
848th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 253.8 mi, about 4h 32m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 74 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,972 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,453
Quietest
2 AM
~128 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
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 Tainter Lake, WI and New Berlin, WI.
1
Start on 848th Avenue
183 ft·8 sec·848th Avenue
2
Continue on 622nd Street
0.2 mi·1 min·622nd Street
3
Turn left onto CTH D
3.0 mi·5 min·County Road D
4
Turn left onto CTH G
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road G
5
Turn left onto CTH BB
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road BB
6
At end of road, turn right onto CTH B
3.8 mi·5 min·County Road B
7
Turn left
0.4 mi·48 sec
8
Merge onto I 94
193 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 301A-BToward I 94 East Alternate: Moorland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
183 ft·4 sec
Toward I 94 Alternate East: New BerlinUse the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto CTH O
3.2 mi·6 min·South Moorland Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Arrive at destination
West National Avenue
Trip Plan
Consider departing early in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight hours for this 4h 55m drive. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 253.8 miles on I 94, so plan a mid-drive stop for fuel or a break. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, it's a budget-friendly trip. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, be aware of the dense exits on I 94 as you get closer to urban areas, which can slow down your progress.
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 133.4 miles from Tainter Lake, WI, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.8 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.4 miles or 2h 29m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Berlin, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tainter Lake, 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 Tainter Lake, WI
This is one driving day of about 266.8 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Tainter Lake, 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 253.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 263.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|CTH B / County Road B
At end of road, turn right onto CTH B / County Road B
Navigation decision point
5
9.3 mi into trip|~16m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
202.2 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
7
263.1 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East Alternate: Moorland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 301A-B
Toward I 94 East Alternate: Moorland Road
7
263.5 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 Alternate East: New Berlin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 94 Alternate East: New Berlin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.40 one way
$78.80 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.50
$86.99
premium
$4.72
$49.54
$99.07
diesel
$4.80
$50.38
$100.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$28.01
$12.81
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.35
$10.67
EV Truck/SUV
106.7
1
$37.35
$17.08
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Tainter Lake, WI
Late night
in Tainter Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
NNW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:25AM CDT until July 18 at 1:45AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:46AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
New Berlin, WI
Late night
in New Berlin on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 1:25AM CDT until July 18 at 1:45AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:46AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
60°F
Lodi, WI
133 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m 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.
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 147.2
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 266.8 miles on major freeways like I 94. You'll experience a long stretch of 253.8 miles on I 94, which means plenty of consistent cruising. County Road B and South Moorland Road mark the final stretch of surface roads as you approach New Berlin. Expect frequent exits on I 94 for much of the drive.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and County Road B. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near CTH B / County Road B.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (CTH B / County Road B): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 266.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.8 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (CTH B / County Road B): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at New Berlin, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
