Wauwatosa, WI to Lake Tomahawk, WI is 248.8 miles and takes about 4h 54m via US 51 and I 41, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Wisconsin, making it a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, which generally means efficient travel. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
124.4 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
64.6 mi
1h 18m
I 41
61.6 mi
1h 6m
US Highway 10
46.6 mi
54m
I 39
23.3 mi
25m
Zoo Freeway
18.2 mi
21m
US 45
15.2 mi
17m
County Road D
7.6 mi
12m
US 10
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 64.6 mi, about 1h 18m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,368 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,880
Quietest
1 AM
~138 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.2×
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 Wauwatosa, WI and Lake Tomahawk, 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
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 45
15 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
47 mi·54 min·US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
14
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
15
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi·7 min·US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
16
Continue on I 39; US 51
23 mi·25 min·I 39; US 51
17
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
48 mi·55 min·US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 51
17 mi·22 min·US 51
19
Turn right onto CTH D
7.6 mi·12 min·County Road D
20
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH D
0.8 mi·1 min·Bradley Street
21
Turn left onto Violet Drive
172 ft·9 sec·Violet Drive
22
Turn right onto Lilly Street
89 ft·3 sec·Lilly Street
23
Arrive at destination
Lilly Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 54m drive, consider leaving Wauwatosa in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. The 248.8-mile route is easily manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could split it with an overnight stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 64.6-mile stretch on US 51, as services can be more spread out in some rural sections. The estimated fuel cost of $44 should help you budget for at least one or two fill-ups.
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 124.4 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Tomahawk, 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 248.8 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 US 51 for about 64.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 82 — 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
7
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
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.
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
82 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 45 North: New London
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.74 one way
$73.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.56
$81.12
premium
$4.72
$46.19
$92.39
diesel
$4.80
$46.98
$93.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.12
$11.94
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
EV Truck/SUV
99.5
1
$34.83
$15.92
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Wauwatosa, WI
Late night
in Wauwatosa on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Lake Tomahawk, WI
Late night
in Lake Tomahawk on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Smoke
NNW 8 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
8 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
4h 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 248.8 miles on major roads like I 41 and US 51. You'll encounter the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving for 64.6 miles on US 51. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final moments of your trip. Expect a consistent flow of traffic with a moderate number of exits as you head north.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.6 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 41. 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 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 17 significant decision points across 248.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,639 ft662 ft
Total Climb
1,247 ft
Total Descent
270 ft
Highest Point
1,639 ft
~248.8 mi in
Elevation Range
977 ft
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 Lake Tomahawk, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 248.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m 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 64.6 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Lake Tomahawk, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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 Lake Tomahawk, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
