Lomira Rest Area 63
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Townsend, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
179.4 mi
289 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wauwatosa, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Townsend, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Wauwatosa to Townsend is 179.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 55 minutes via I 41 and State Highway 32, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You can expect a direct path north with minimal complexity, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to reach your destination.
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
89.7 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 79.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| State Highway 32 | 27.1 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 47 | 20.6 mi | 30m |
| Zoo Freeway | 18.2 mi | 21m |
| County Road R | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| County Road A | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 117 | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| North Lynndale Drive | 3.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa, WI and Townsend, 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, Appleton
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Toward Appleton, Green Bay
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 139
Toward CTH 00, WIS 15: New London
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
233 ft
·
7 sec
Toward CTH 00
12
Turn straight onto CTH OO
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Northland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto CTH A
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lynndale Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto CTH A
117 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Lynndale Drive
15
Continue on CTH A
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lynndale Drive
16
Continue on CTH A
5.9 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road A
17
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH A
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 47
18
Continue on WI 47
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
19
Continue on WI 47
17 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 47
20
Continue on WI 117
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cecil Street
21
Continue on WI 117
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 117
22
Turn right onto WI 22
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 22
23
Turn left onto CTH H; CTH R
12 mi
·
17 min
·
County Road R
24
At end of road, turn right onto CTH M; CTH R
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road M
25
Turn left onto CTH R
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Red Banks Road
26
Turn left onto WI 32
27 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 32
27
Turn left onto Elm Street
75 ft
·
3 sec
·
Elm Street
28
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 55 minute drive time, departing Wauwatosa in the morning allows ample time to reach Townsend before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $28, this is a manageable one-day trip. The longest stretch without a major road change is 79.4 miles on I 41, so plan your breaks accordingly. Consider a brief stop before this segment to ensure you have everything you need for the longer highway portion.
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 89.7 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.7 miles or 1h 41m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Townsend, 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 179.4 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 79.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.7 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 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Theresa Rest Area 64
0.1 mi from route
Speedway
0.1 mi from route
64
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 99.7 — 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.
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
99.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward CTH 00, WIS 15: New London
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 139
Toward CTH 00, WIS 15: New London
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.05 one way
$56.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.79 | $61.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.52 | $69.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.61 | $79.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.84 | $8.61 |
| Efficient EV | 44.9 | 0 | $15.70 | $7.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.12 | $11.48 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Morning in Wauwatosa on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Townsend, WI
Morning in Townsend on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
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
3h 55m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 84% of the 179.4 miles on interstates and state highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 79.4 miles on I 41 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect highway cruising for the majority of the trip, with a shift to more local roads as you approach Townsend.
84% 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: 79.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 32. 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 17 significant decision points across 179.4 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 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.
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 Townsend, WI, road signs point toward Appleton, Cth 00 and Wis 15: New London.
Appleton
20.2 mi in
|
~26m
|
via I 41; US 41
Cth 00
99.7 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Wis 15: New London
99.7 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 179.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Townsend, 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 9 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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Townsend, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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