Poynette Rest Area 12
0 mi from route
Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Boyceville, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 12m
Distance
277.6 mi
447 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 59m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 19m
3 PM
5h 23m
5 PM
5h 38m
8 PM
5h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wauwatosa, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Boyceville, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Wauwatosa to Boyceville is 277.6 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest's more populated areas toward the state's western side. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the trip, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s a solid option for a quick getaway or a transit day, especially if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. The fuel cost is estimated at $43, which is helpful for budgeting.
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
138.8 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 134 mi | 2h 23m |
| East-West Freeway | 64.3 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| 370th Street | 9.2 mi | 16m |
| US 12 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| North Glenview Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 134 mi, about 2h 23m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,520 veh/hr typical · worst 3,104
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Wauwatosa, WI and Boyceville, WI.
1
Start on West State Street
137 ft
·
6 sec
·
West State Street
2
Continue on West Menomonee River Parkway
360 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Menomonee River Parkway
3
Turn left onto WI 181
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Harmonee Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn slight right onto WI 181
520 ft
·
15 sec
·
Harwood Avenue
5
Turn left onto WI 181
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Glenview Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on WI 181
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
South 84th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 94 West
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 94 West: Madison
9
Merge onto I 94
11 mi
·
12 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
105 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 41
Toward WI 25: Menomonie, Barron
15
Keep slight left at fork
112 ft
·
4 sec
16
Turn left onto WI 25; CTH J
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Broadway Street
17
Turn right onto Oak Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 12
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US 12
19
Turn right onto WI 79
9.2 mi
·
16 min
·
370th Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto WI 79; WI 170
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
21
Turn left onto CTH K
31 ft
·
0 sec
·
Center Street
22
Arrive at destination
CTH K
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Wauwatosa to avoid potential traffic, especially around Milwaukee. The route is designed for a single day, so you can comfortably complete it without an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major town is 134 miles on I 94. Planning your fuel stops strategically will prevent any unnecessary delays, and the estimated $43 fuel cost can help you budget for this.
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 138.8 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.8 miles or 2h 33m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boyceville, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa, WI
This is one driving day of about 277.6 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Wauwatosa, 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 134 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.8 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134 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.
Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Menomonie Eastbound Rest Area 61
0.1 mi from route
Menomonie Westbound Rest Area 62
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Johnson Creek Rest Area 14
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Millston Rest Area 53
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Black River Falls Rest Area 54
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 159.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue
Turn left onto WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
13.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 94 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
96.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
159.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.04 one way
$86.08 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $47.19 | $94.38 |
| premium | $4.93 | $53.86 | $107.72 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $61.19 | $122.38 |
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: 97.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.3 | 1 | $29.15 | $13.32 |
| Efficient EV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.29 | $11.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111 | 1 | $38.86 | $17.77 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Morning in Wauwatosa on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 25 at 7:05AM CDT until August 25 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 25 at 2:38AM CDT until August 26 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Boyceville, WI
Morning in Boyceville on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 10 to 15 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 25 at 7:05AM CDT until August 25 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 25 at 2:38AM CDT until August 26 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
82°F
Lodi, WI
139 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
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 12m 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 124.5
Caution: Use Caution — Tisch Mills Segment
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with a 95% highway share. You'll be on I 94 and I 90 for the vast majority of the 277.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 134 miles on I 94. Expect a lot of cruising on these interstates, with frequent exits and merges as you pass through various towns and cities. Surface roads will only come into play for the final few miles as you reach Boyceville.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 277.6 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 0.1 miles (WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,009 ft
662 ft
Total Climb
807 ft
Total Descent
521 ft
Highest Point
1,009 ft
~218.1 mi in
Elevation Range
347 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.
Between Wauwatosa, WI and Boyceville, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and Saint Paul.
Eau Claire
67 mi in
|
~1h 16m
|
via I 94
Saint Paul
159.6 mi in
|
~2h 56m
|
via I 94
About the Cities
Starting in Wauwatosa, WI
Full guide →Wauwatosa is in Southeast Wisconsin.
Top landmarks
- • Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church — church building in Wauwatosa, United States of America
- • Lowell Damon House — historic house in Wisconsin, United States
- • Thomas B. Hart House — historic house in 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 12m. Total distance: 277.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m 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 134 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Boyceville, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 94): 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Boyceville, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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