West Allis to Phillips is 269.4 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I 41 and US Highway 10, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Wisconsin for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of this drive, making it a straightforward transit between two points. It’s a good option if you need to get from the Milwaukee area up towards central Wisconsin efficiently. The total travel time is manageable for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling overly rushed.
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
134.7 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
61.6 mi
1h 6m
US Highway 10
46.6 mi
54m
US 51
46.5 mi
53m
US 8
32.2 mi
45m
I 39
23.3 mi
25m
Zoo Freeway
20.4 mi
24m
US 45
15.2 mi
17m
State Highway 13
10.8 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,802 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,336
Quietest
1 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Phillips, 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
20 mi·24 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto US 45
15 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
47 mi·54 min·US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
10
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
11
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi·7 min·US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
12
Continue on I 39; US 51
23 mi·25 min·I 39; US 51
13
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
47 mi·53 min·US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward US 8: Prentice, Rhinelander
15
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·12 sec
Toward US 8: Prentice
16
Merge onto US 8
32 mi·45 min·US 8
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right
0.2 mi·41 sec
Use the right lane.
18
Turn straight onto WI 13
11 mi·14 min·State Highway 13
19
Continue on WI 13
0.9 mi·2 min·South Lake Avenue
20
Turn right onto CTH H
0.4 mi·1 min·County Highway H
21
Turn left onto Beach Road
0.1 mi·30 sec·Beach Road
22
Arrive at destination
Beach Road
Trip Plan
For this 5h 23m drive, leaving West Allis in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Phillips. Given the relatively short duration, you can easily complete this in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider a mid-day departure to break up the driving. You'll encounter very few stops along the way, so plan to refuel before you leave or during the first half of your trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get further north on US-51, where services can be more spread out. Aim to fill up when you see a station, rather than waiting until you’re low.
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 134.7 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.7 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phillips, 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 269.4 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 41 for about 61.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 83.9 — 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
5
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.1 mi into trip|~29m 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
7
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
83.9 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 45 North: New London
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.78 one way
$79.57 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.92
$87.84
premium
$4.72
$50.02
$100.04
diesel
$4.80
$50.87
$101.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.8
0
$28.29
$12.93
Efficient EV
67.4
0
$23.57
$10.78
EV Truck/SUV
107.8
1
$37.72
$17.24
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
West Allis, WI
Late night
in West Allis on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
W 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:52PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Phillips, WI
Late night
in Phillips on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:52PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
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
11 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
5h 23m 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 route is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 269.4 miles spent on major roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 61.6 miles on I 41. You'll experience a good amount of rural cruising as you move north, with exits becoming less frequent after you transition off I 41. The bulk of your time will be spent on expressways and interstates before eventually reaching US-51 for the final leg.
98% 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: 61.6 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. 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
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 17 significant decision points across 269.4 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 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,664 ft729 ft
Total Climb
1,137 ft
Total Descent
419 ft
Highest Point
1,664 ft
~250.1 mi in
Elevation Range
935 ft
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 Phillips, WI, road signs point toward Appleton and Rhinelander.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 269.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Phillips, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 (I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Phillips, WI before the return drive.
