Origin
Anson, WI
Afternoon in Anson on Wednesday
Local time
2:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
260.2 mi
419 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anson, WI
Tom Fisk
Wauwatosa, WI
Wikimedia Commons
This 260.2-mile drive from Anson, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes. You'll spend about 95% of your time on highways, with the longest stretch covering 232 miles on I 94. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $41, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. This route focuses on efficient travel, getting you between these two Wisconsin points with minimal fuss.
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
130.1 miles from Anson, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
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Expect a highway-focused drive for the most part, with 95% of your journey on major roadways like I 94 and US 53. The bulk of your travel, a continuous 232 miles, will be on I 94, offering a consistent pace. County Highway S will feature briefly as you approach your destination, offering a slight change in scenery from the interstate. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes covering distance efficiently over winding scenic byways.
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 192.3 miles in near I 94.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 260.2 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 192.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Watertown Plank Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Watertown Plank Road East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 232 mi | 4h 9m |
| US 53 | 15.3 mi | 17m |
| County Highway S | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| County Highway O | 2.8 mi | 6m |
| County Highway S South | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Watertown Plank Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Zoo Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| County Road S | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Anson, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
Start on 190th Street
Turn right onto CTH O
Turn left onto CTH S
Continue on CTH S
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
Continue on CTH S
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
Continue on CTH S
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
Continue on CTH S
Turn left
Merge onto US 53
Turn straight onto US 53
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Continue on US 53
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
Continue on Harwood Avenue
Turn left onto WI 181
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 4-hour and 53-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Wauwatosa. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in planning your break; perhaps around the 2-hour mark would be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on I 94 is a considerable 232 miles, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $41 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting your trip.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.1 miles or 2h 29m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wauwatosa, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Anson, 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 Anson, WI
This is one driving day of about 260.2 miles and 4h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.1 mi from Anson, WI · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 130.1 miles from Anson, 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 232 miles.
The final approach into Wauwatosa, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Wauwatosa, WI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$40.68 one way
$81.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $44.66 | $89.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $50.07 | $100.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.45 | $114.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.32 | $12.49 |
| Efficient EV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.77 | $10.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.1 | 1 | $36.43 | $16.65 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Anson on Wednesday
Local time
2:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Wauwatosa on Wednesday
Local time
2:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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