The drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Lake Wazeecha, WI covers 159.8 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 41, US Highway 10, Zoo Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.6 miles on I 41.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.78 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
79.9 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
61.6 mi
1h 6m
US Highway 10
35.2 mi
40m
Zoo Freeway
18.2 mi
21m
US 45
15.2 mi
17m
Plover Road
12.3 mi
17m
County Road B
8.8 mi
15m
80th Street South
3.3 mi
4m
Kellner Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,361 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,914
Quietest
1 AM
~138 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Wazeecha, 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
35 mi·40 min·US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
14
Take the exit onto CTH B
0.2 mi·28 sec·CTH B
Toward CTH B West: Plover, Amherst
15
Turn left onto CTH B
8.8 mi·15 min·County Road B
16
Continue on CTH B
12 mi·17 min·Plover Road
17
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·34 sec
18
Continue on CTH U
3.3 mi·4 min·80th Street South
19
Turn right onto CTH W
1.6 mi·2 min·Kellner Road
20
Turn left onto 54th Street South
0.1 mi·27 sec·54th Street South
21
Turn right onto Baltic Drive
392 ft·17 sec·Baltic Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Baltic Drive
Trip Plan
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 79.9 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 30m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Wazeecha, 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 159.8 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 41 for about 61.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 79.9 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
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
$24.78 one way
$49.55 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$27.17
$54.33
premium
$4.93
$31.00
$62.01
diesel
$5.60
$35.23
$70.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.78
$7.67
Efficient EV
40
0
$13.98
$6.39
EV Truck/SUV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Aug 30, 2026
Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Morning
in Wauwatosa on Friday
Local time
11:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 3:02AM CDT until August 30 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 2:44AM CDT until August 30 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Lake Wazeecha, WI
Morning
in Lake Wazeecha on Friday
Local time
11:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 6 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 3:02AM CDT until August 30 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 30 at 2:44AM CDT until August 30 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
4 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 14m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 159.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
159.8 mi in 3h 14m, mostly highway — 61.6 mi of that is on I 41.
82% 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: 61.6 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 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 14 significant decision points across 159.8 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
Mostly flat terrain
1,143 ft662 ft
Total Climb
751 ft
Total Descent
378 ft
Highest Point
1,143 ft
~136.9 mi in
Elevation Range
481 ft
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 Lake Wazeecha, WI, road signs point toward Appleton, Cth B West: Plover and Amherst.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 159.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Wazeecha, 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. 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 — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Wazeecha, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
