Lake House Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+12623543109
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
89.5 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
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
Lodi, WI
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick getaway from West Allis to Lodi, this 89.5-mile journey is an ideal day trip. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 42 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of roughly $14 for the round trip. The route stays entirely within the Wisconsin Midwest, offering a straightforward transition between these two points. Because the trip is relatively short and efficient, it provides plenty of flexibility to explore your destination upon arrival. This is a practical, no-nonsense drive perfect for those who prioritize efficiency over a long, meandering road trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.7 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 63.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 94 | 18.2 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 60 | 4 mi | 5m |
| West Greenfield Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Portage Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Zoo Freeway | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Lodi, 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
Take the exit
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
Continue on WI 60
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
Continue on WI 60
Continue on WI 60
Turn left onto WI 113
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 1-hour and 42-minute drive, you have the advantage of total departure flexibility throughout the day. You won't need to plan for mid-trip stops, as the entire 89.5-mile stretch is easily completed in one go. Keep in mind that since the route is dominated by high-speed freeways, staying alert during the long 63.8-mile stretch on the East-West Freeway is essential. Ensure your tank is ready for the $14 fuel expense before you head out from West Allis. A great tip for this specific drive is to monitor traffic patterns on I-94 before you leave, as this primary artery can see fluctuations that might impact your arrival time in Lodi.
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.
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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.7 miles or 51m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lodi, WI than in the middle of the route.
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 89.5 miles and 1h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 44.7 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 East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 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 meal stop · early in the drive
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+12623543109
Best coffee break
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+14149888018
Vendetta Coffee Bar
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Early in the drive, short detour
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm
+12623543109
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 websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Hartland, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–5 pm
+12625631034
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 66.4 — 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 left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
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
Regular Gas
$13.99 one way
$27.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.36 | $30.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.22 | $34.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.76 | $39.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.40 | $4.30 |
| Efficient EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in West Allis on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Lodi on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
43°F
Farmington, WI
45 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
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.
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive that covers 96% of the trip on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the East-West Freeway and I-94, which account for a significant 63.8-mile stretch of the journey. As you transition onto State Highway 60, the pace remains consistent and predictable. Navigating this route feels like a standard interstate commute, providing a smooth experience without the need for technical maneuvering. The road's personality is defined by its speed and directness, allowing you to reach Lodi with minimal interruption.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.5 miles you will encounter 14 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from West Allis, WI to Lodi, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Eau Claire along the way.
Eau Claire
West Allis is a city in Southeast Wisconsin.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 89.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from West Allis, WI or browse trips ending in Lodi, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.