Rice Lake Family Restaurant
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17154341037
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 9m
Distance
367.3 mi
591 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Allis, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Lind, WI
Gundula Vogel
West Allis to Lind is 367.3 miles and takes about 7h 9m via I 94 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a route that's almost entirely on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With just two planned stops and a substantial longest stretch of 105.2 miles, this is a good option if you're looking for a direct path between these two points.
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
183.6 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 105.2 mi | 1h 52m |
| US 53 | 80.6 mi | 1h 29m |
| East-West Freeway | 63.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| 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 |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 82 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,873 veh/hr typical · worst 3,397
Quietest
2 AM
~159 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Lind, WI.
Start on WI 59
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 53
Take the exit
Turn left onto WI 70
Continue on WI 70
Continue on WI 70
Enter roundabout onto WI 35; WI 70
Continue on WI 35; WI 70
Turn right onto WI 70
Turn left onto West River Road
Continue on West River Road
Continue on Anderson Road
Turn right onto Fish Lake Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from West Allis to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only two stops factored in and a long 105.2-mile stretch on I 94, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longest stretch, and aim to refuel before you hit the 100-mile mark. The estimated fuel cost of $57 is a helpful budget point, but always factor in potential price variations. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but starting early ensures a relaxed pace.
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.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.6 miles or 3h 20m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lind, WI than in the middle of the route.
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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Allis, WI
This is one driving day of about 367.3 miles and 7h 9m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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.
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 183.6 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best coffee break
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+14149888018
Vendetta Coffee Bar
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Lake House Cafe
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17154341037
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+14149888018
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+12623543109
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Greenfield, Wisconsin
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+14142824220
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$54.24 one way
$108.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $59.88 | $119.76 |
| premium | $4.72 | $68.20 | $136.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $69.35 | $138.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.2 | 1 | $38.57 | $17.63 |
| Efficient EV | 91.8 | 1 | $32.14 | $14.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.9 | 1 | $51.42 | $23.51 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in West Allis on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:55AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Evening in Lind on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Areas Of Smoke
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:55AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
81°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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 98% of the 367.3 miles on major roads like I 94 and US 53. You'll encounter one stretch of 105.2 miles on I 94 without a need to exit. The transition to surface roads will occur very late in the trip, meaning most of your time will be spent navigating at higher speeds with relatively fewer intersections. Be prepared for the typical density of exits and traffic merging associated with interstate travel for the vast majority of this route.
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 1.6 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 367.3 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
735 ft
Total Descent
565 ft
Highest Point
1,264 ft
~314.8 mi in
Elevation Range
535 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Allis, WI and Lind, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Superior and Stone Lake.
Eau Claire
Saint Paul
Superior
Stone Lake
West Allis is a city in Southeast Wisconsin.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 367.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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