If you are planning a trip from West Allis to Ettrick, expect a straightforward journey spanning 213.1 miles across the Wisconsin landscape. This drive typically takes about 4 hours and 12 minutes, making it a manageable excursion that fits comfortably into a single day of travel. You will primarily navigate via the East-West Freeway, I-94, and I-90, keeping your transit efficient and focused. Budgeting around $32 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trek. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest, the trip maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. It is an ideal route if you prefer a direct, highway-oriented path over winding backroads.
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
106.5 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
80.4 mi
1h 26m
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
I 94
29.1 mi
31m
County Highway D
8.3 mi
14m
State Highway 27
8 mi
11m
State Highway 71
7.6 mi
11m
County Road D
6.4 mi
11m
East Wisconsin Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 80.4 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Ettrick, 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 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.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
17 mi·18 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 28Toward WI 16: Sparta
14
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·4 sec
15
Turn straight onto WI 16
1.0 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
16
Enter roundabout onto WI 16; WI 71
116 ft·6 sec·State Highway 16
17
Continue on WI 16; WI 71
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 16
18
Continue on WI 16; WI 71
0.6 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
19
Turn right onto East Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Avenue
20
Turn left onto East Oak Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·East Oak Street
21
Turn right onto WI 21
0.4 mi·46 sec·South Water Street
22
Turn left onto West Montgomery Street
0.5 mi·56 sec·West Montgomery Street
23
Turn right onto WI 27; WI 71
0.3 mi·26 sec·North Black River Street
24
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
8.0 mi·11 min·State Highway 27
25
Turn left onto WI 71
7.6 mi·11 min·State Highway 71
26
Turn right onto WI 108
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 108
27
Continue on WI 108
0.3 mi·31 sec·Sparta Street
28
Continue on WI 54
0.9 mi·1 min·North Washington Street
29
Continue on WI 54
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Highway 54
30
Turn left onto CTH D
8.3 mi·14 min·County Highway D
31
Continue on CTH D
6.4 mi·11 min·County Road D
32
Continue on CTH D
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Main Street
33
Arrive at destination
CTH D
Trip Plan
For a smooth experience, plan for one dedicated stop to break up the 4-hour and 12-minute duration. Since this is a single-day trip, leaving early in the morning allows you to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier stretches of I-94 and the East-West Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 80.4-mile segment on I-90 to ensure you remain within your $32 budget without needing to hunt for stations in remote areas. Use the flexibility of this shorter route to time your break around the midpoint of your drive. Being prepared for high-speed interstate travel will make this transition across Wisconsin much more enjoyable.
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 106.5 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.4 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.5 miles or 1h 58m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ettrick, 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.
+
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 West Allis, WI
This is one driving day of about 213.1 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from West Allis, 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 90 for about 80.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 159 — 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
9
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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...
7
159 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.32 one way
$66.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.58
$73.16
premium
$4.89
$41.01
$82.02
diesel
$5.61
$47.05
$94.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.9
0
$22.38
$10.23
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.65
$8.52
EV Truck/SUV
85.2
1
$29.83
$13.64
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 15, 2026
Origin
West Allis, WI
Night
in West Allis on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ettrick, WI
Night
in Ettrick on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 12m 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 trip is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You can settle in for a steady pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.4 miles while cruising along I-90. Expect the road to feel consistent as you transition between the East-West Freeway and the interstate system. Because the majority of your time is spent on high-speed thoroughfares, the route offers a very predictable environment for the driver. You will find that the lack of technical local roads allows for a focused, efficient commute between the two Wisconsin locales.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East-West Freeway. 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 23 significant decision points across 213.1 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Allis, WI and Ettrick, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and La Crosse.
Eau Claire
66.4 mi in|~1h 15m|via I 94
La Crosse
159 mi in|~2h 54m|via I 90
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 213.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.4 miles on I 90. 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 Ettrick, 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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Ettrick, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
