If you are planning a trip from Wauwatosa to Combined Locks, expect a straightforward journey covering 105.2 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 2 hours and 2 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel should cover your transit across the Wisconsin landscape. Because the trip is relatively short, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations or complex logistics. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects two points in the Midwest without requiring extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.6 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
74.4 mi
1h 19m
Zoo Freeway
18.2 mi
21m
Tri-County Expressway
6.5 mi
7m
West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi
2m
West Kennedy Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
County Road CE
0.6 mi
<1m
Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
0.5 mi
<1m
Wallace Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa, WI and Combined Locks, 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
0.3 mi·39 sec·Harwood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi·2 min·West Watertown Plank Road
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 41 South, US 45 South: Milwaukee, Beloit, Madison, AppletonUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 41, US 45 North: Fond du LacUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
18 mi·21 min·Zoo Freeway
Toward Appleton, Green BayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·19 sec
Exit 134AToward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens PointUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 134AToward US 10 East, WI 441 North
12
Merge onto US 10; WI 441
0.5 mi·34 sec·Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
13
Continue on US 10; WI 441
6.5 mi·7 min·Tri-County Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward CTH CE: College AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft·12 sec
16
Turn straight onto CTH CE
0.3 mi·27 sec·County Road CE
17
Enter roundabout onto CTH CE
160 ft·2 sec·County Road CE
18
Continue on CTH CE
0.3 mi·27 sec·County Road CE
19
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·24 sec
20
Turn left onto Railroad Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Railroad Street
21
Enter roundabout onto Marcella Street
14 ft·0 sec·Marcella Street
22
Continue on Marcella Street
101 ft·2 sec·Marcella Street
23
Continue on West Kennedy Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·West Kennedy Avenue
24
Turn left onto CTH N
0.3 mi·53 sec·South Washington Street
25
Turn right onto Wallace Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Wallace Street
26
Arrive at destination
Wallace Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the entire route is highway-centric, consider checking traffic reports for I-41 before you head out to avoid potential congestion on the interstates. You likely won't need to plan formal stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise even with the modest $16 estimated cost. Because this is a direct, high-speed route, try to time your departure to miss peak commuting hours to ensure a smoother experience behind the wheel.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.6 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.6 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Combined Locks, 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 105.2 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Wauwatosa, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 74.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 94.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, 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 left lane.
Toward I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
7
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in|I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway toward Appleton, Green Bay
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Appleton, Green Bay
8
20.2 mi into trip|~26m 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
8
94.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point
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.
Exit 134A
Toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point
7
94.9 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 10 East, WI 441 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 134A
Toward US 10 East, WI 441 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.45 one way
$32.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.06
$36.12
premium
$4.89
$20.24
$40.49
diesel
$5.61
$23.23
$46.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.6
0
$11.05
$5.05
Efficient EV
26.3
0
$9.21
$4.21
EV Truck/SUV
42.1
0
$14.73
$6.73
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Late night
in Wauwatosa on Sunday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Combined Locks, WI
Late night
in Combined Locks on Sunday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
2 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
2h 2m 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 highway-focused drive relies heavily on major thoroughfares, with 94% of your journey taking place on interstate or expressway systems. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via I-41, the Zoo Freeway, and the Tri-County Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 74.4 miles on I-41, which defines the core personality of the trip. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding roads. Staying focused is key during these long, continuous highway segments.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and Zoo Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 105.2 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 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Wauwatosa, WI to Combined Locks, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
20.2 mi in|~26m|via I 41; US 41
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 105.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m 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 74.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Combined Locks, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Combined Locks, WI before heading back.
