West Allis to Townsend is 181.3 miles and takes about 3h 57m via I 41 and State Highway 32/47, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. Most of the drive is on interstates, making for a straightforward trip. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a travel day with plenty of time left on either end.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.7 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
79.4 mi
1h 25m
State Highway 32
27.1 mi
40m
State Highway 47
20.6 mi
30m
Zoo Freeway
20.4 mi
24m
County Road R
12.3 mi
17m
County Road A
5.9 mi
10m
State Highway 117
4.7 mi
8m
North Lynndale Drive
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Townsend, 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
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 139Toward CTH 00, WIS 15: New LondonUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
233 ft·7 sec
Toward CTH 00
8
Turn straight onto CTH OO
0.9 mi·1 min·West Northland Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto CTH A
2.0 mi·3 min·North Lynndale Drive
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto CTH A
117 ft·2 sec·North Lynndale Drive
11
Continue on CTH A
1.0 mi·1 min·North Lynndale Drive
12
Continue on CTH A
5.9 mi·10 min·County Road A
13
At end of road, turn left onto WI 47; CTH A
3.5 mi·4 min·State Highway 47
14
Continue on WI 47
1.1 mi·1 min·South Main Street
15
Continue on WI 47
17 mi·25 min·State Highway 47
16
Continue on WI 117
0.8 mi·2 min·South Cecil Street
17
Continue on WI 117
4.7 mi·8 min·State Highway 117
18
Turn right onto WI 22
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 22
19
Turn left onto CTH H; CTH R
12 mi·17 min·County Road R
20
At end of road, turn right onto CTH M; CTH R
1.6 mi·2 min·County Road M
21
Turn left onto CTH R
0.4 mi·32 sec·Red Banks Road
22
Turn left onto WI 32
27 mi·40 min·State Highway 32
23
Turn left onto Elm Street
75 ft·3 sec·Elm Street
24
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 57m drive, consider leaving in the morning to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for that one recommended stop will break up the 181.3 miles nicely. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 79.4-mile stretch on I 41, as services can be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated around $28, so factor that into your budget.
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 90.7 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 40 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.7 miles or 1h 42m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Townsend, 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 181.3 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 79.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 101.8 — 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
8
101.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward CTH 00, WIS 15: New London
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 139
Toward CTH 00, WIS 15: New London
6
101.8 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CTH 00
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CTH 00
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.34 one way
$56.69 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.12
$62.24
premium
$4.89
$34.89
$69.78
diesel
$5.61
$40.03
$80.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.4
0
$19.04
$8.70
Efficient EV
45.3
0
$15.86
$7.25
EV Truck/SUV
72.5
0
$25.38
$11.60
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 20, 2026
Origin
West Allis, WI
Late night
in West Allis on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Townsend, WI
Late night
in Townsend on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
22 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
3h 57m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 84% of the 181.3 miles on major roads like I 41. You'll experience a long stretch of 79.4 miles on I 41 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a more rural cruising feel as you move away from the interstate, with fewer exits and a different pace.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 32. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 181.3 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 (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.
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 Townsend, WI, road signs point toward Appleton, Cth 00 and Wis 15: New London.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 181.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Townsend, 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 9 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Townsend, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
