If you are planning a trip from West Allis to Cross Plains, you are looking at a manageable 93.8-mile drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes. This Midwestern route is ideal for a one-day excursion, as the distance is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating this path involves transitioning from the East-West Freeway onto the South Beltline Highway and finally University Avenue. Because the drive is straightforward and efficient, it serves as a reliable connection between these two Wisconsin locations without requiring complex logistics.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
South Beltline Highway
14.5 mi
19m
University Avenue
6.4 mi
9m
I 39
3.2 mi
3m
West Greenfield Avenue
1.4 mi
3m
Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
John Q Hammons Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Deming Way
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 63.8 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Cross Plains, WI.
1
Start on WI 59
1.4 mi·3 min·West Greenfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 894 West, US 45 North
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 94: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight left lane.
4
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
19 ft·0 sec·Zoo Freeway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1B-AToward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·56 sec
Exit 1BToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
8
Merge onto I 94
10 mi·11 min·East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30
0.2 mi·15 sec·WI 30
Exit 240Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 240AToward I 39 South, I 90 East: JanesvilleUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 39; I 90
3.2 mi·3 min·I 39; I 90
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
14
Merge onto US 12; US 18
14 mi·19 min·South Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 252Toward Greenway BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto Greenway Boulevard
0.2 mi·48 sec·Greenway Boulevard
17
Turn right onto John Q Hammons Drive
0.3 mi·39 sec·John Q Hammons Drive
Use the right lane.
18
Enter roundabout onto Deming Way
20 ft·0 sec·Deming Way
19
Continue on Deming Way
0.2 mi·38 sec·Deming Way
20
Turn left onto US 14
6.4 mi·9 min·University Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 14
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 14
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without needing to worry about mid-route overnight stops. However, keep in mind that the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, so plan your fuel stops before you hit the road to keep your $14 budget on track. Because you will be utilizing a mix of freeways and local arterial roads like University Avenue, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the final stretch of your drive. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive at your destination in Cross Plains refreshed. Remember that since you have no planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is ready for the full 93.8-mile haul before leaving West Allis.
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 46.9 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 54m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cross Plains, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Allis, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Allis, WI
This is one driving day of about 93.8 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from West Allis, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 63.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 66.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
1.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
9
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
7
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|WI 30
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30 toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 240
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janes...
9
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 240A
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.66 one way
$29.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.10
$32.20
premium
$4.89
$18.05
$36.10
diesel
$5.61
$20.71
$41.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.85
$4.50
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.21
$3.75
EV Truck/SUV
37.5
0
$13.13
$6.00
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
West Allis, WI
Late night
in West Allis on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cross Plains, WI
Late night
in Cross Plains on Sunday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Cottage Grove, WI
47 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
1h 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 72% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face your longest uninterrupted segment early on, covering 63.8 miles along the East-West Freeway. As you transition toward the South Beltline Highway and eventually University Avenue, the character of the road shifts from high-speed interstate driving to more localized traffic patterns. Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. Staying alert is key during those long freeway stretches where the pace remains steady and predictable for the majority of the trip.
72% 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: 63.8 mi on East-West Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and South Beltline Highway. 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.8 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,010 ft729 ft
Total Climb
549 ft
Total Descent
413 ft
Highest Point
1,010 ft
~80.4 mi in
Elevation Range
282 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 West Allis, WI to Cross Plains, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
66.4 mi in|~1h 15m|via WI 30
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 93.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.8 miles on East-West Freeway. 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 Cross Plains, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cross Plains, WI before heading back.
