Wauwatosa, WI to Lind, WI is 367.8 miles and takes about 7h 11m via I 94 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive with minimal detours. You'll cover a significant distance, so plan for a solid day of driving to reach your destination.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183.9 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
105.2 mi
1h 52m
US 53
80.6 mi
1h 29m
East-West Freeway
64.3 mi
1h 10m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
State Highway 70
42.9 mi
1h
State Highway 35
2.5 mi
4m
West River Road
1.7 mi
6m
East Maple Street
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 164 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,887 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,478
Quietest
2 AM
~160 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Lind, 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 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse 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
76 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
16
Merge onto US 53
81 mi·1 hr 29 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward WI 70: Spooner, Stone Lake
18
Turn left onto WI 70
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 70
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on WI 70
1.6 mi·3 min·East Maple Street
20
Continue on WI 70
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 70
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 35; WI 70
151 ft·8 sec·State Highway 35
22
Continue on WI 35; WI 70
2.5 mi·4 min·State Highway 35
23
Turn right onto WI 70
19 mi·27 min·State Highway 70
24
Turn left onto West River Road
1.0 mi·3 min·West River Road
25
Continue on West River Road
0.7 mi·2 min·West River Road
26
Continue on Anderson Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Anderson Road
27
Turn right onto Fish Lake Road
1.4 mi·5 min·Fish Lake Road
28
Arrive at destination
Fish Lake Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 367.8-mile drive, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight. With a duration of 7h 11m, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip, but you have flexibility if you prefer to break it up. Plan for your two recommended stops to include fuel and a break, especially since you'll be covering 105.2 miles on I 94 at one point. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $58, and it's wise to top off before longer highway stretches.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.9 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 81 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.9 miles or 3h 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 5h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lind, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wauwatosa, WI
This is one driving day of about 367.8 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Wauwatosa, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 105.2 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 18
5 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
$61.35 one way
$122.71 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$66.94
$133.88
premium
$5.25
$76.07
$152.13
diesel
$6.28
$90.88
$181.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.3
1
$38.62
$17.65
Efficient EV
92
1
$32.18
$14.71
EV Truck/SUV
147.1
1
$51.49
$23.54
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Afternoon
in Wauwatosa on Thursday
Local time
1:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lind, WI
Afternoon
in Lind on Thursday
Local time
1:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
53°F
Blair, WI
184 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
10 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
7h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 126.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with a 98% highway share. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on interstates and major freeways. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 105.2 miles on I 94. Expect a dense sequence of exits and merges as you navigate these high-speed corridors for most of the 7h 11m trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 53. 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 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 18 significant decision points across 367.8 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 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
1,272 ft662 ft
Total Climb
834 ft
Total Descent
597 ft
Highest Point
1,272 ft
~315.3 mi in
Elevation Range
610 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 Lind, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Superior and Stone Lake.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 11m. Total distance: 367.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Lind, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lind, WI before the return drive.
