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Trip from Garfield, WI to West Allis, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

147 mi

237 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 45m ★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Garfield, WI, WI

Garfield, WI

Zeynep Kahraman

city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA

West Allis, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 147-mile drive from Garfield to West Allis, Wisconsin, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under 3 hours. Primarily utilizing I-41 and US Highway 10, this route boasts a 93% highway share, making it a very efficient journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion. The drive is focused on covering ground, making it ideal for those who want to get to their destination without significant detours. Both Garfield and West Allis are situated in the Midwest, so you won't encounter dramatic regional shifts, just a smooth transition within Wisconsin.

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

73.5 miles from Garfield, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 147 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 147-mile trip, with 93% of the drive on major roads like I-41 and US-45. You'll encounter one significant continuous stretch of 80.8 miles on I-41, which means long periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a drive geared towards efficiency rather than winding scenic byways. While the primary roads offer a smooth ride, the character remains consistently that of a functional, high-speed transit corridor across Wisconsin.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 50.2 miles in near US 45.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 147 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 50.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
50.2 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | US 45

Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 276 Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
8
144.5 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison

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 38A-B Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
9
144.7 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 38A Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwauk...
8
145.4 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in

Keep slight right at fork toward WI 181: 84th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 306 Toward WI 181: 84th Street
8
145.8 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Keep slight right at fork toward WI 181 South: 84th Street South, Milwaukee Mile Speedway, Pettit National Ice Center

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward WI 181 South: 84th Street South, Milwauk...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 41 80.8 mi 1h 29m
US Highway 10 42.2 mi 48m
US 45 12.3 mi 14m
County Road A 4 mi 9m
Loberg Road 1.7 mi 2m
State Highway 161 1.3 mi 1m
South 84th Street 0.7 mi 1m
West Greenfield Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 41 — 80.8 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Garfield, WI and West Allis, WI.

1

Start on CTH A

4.0 mi · 9 min · County Road A
2

At end of road, turn right onto WI 161

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 161
3

Continue on Loberg Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Loberg Road
4

Continue on this road

0.7 mi · 1 min · this road
5

Turn left onto Sky View Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Sky View Road
6

Turn left onto US 10

42 mi · 48 min · US Highway 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 45

12 mi · 14 min · US 45
Exit 276 Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
9

Merge onto I 41; US 41

81 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 38A-B Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 38A Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee Use the slight left lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 306 Toward WI 181: 84th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

192 ft · 4 sec
Toward WI 181 South: 84th Street South, Milwaukee Mile Speedway, Pettit National Ice Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn right onto WI 181

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 84th Street
15

Turn left onto WI 59

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Greenfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
16

Arrive at destination

WI 59

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour 56-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. The longest stretch without a break is over 80 miles, so plan for a fuel and rest stop about halfway through, perhaps around the time you transition between I-41 and US Highway 10. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, keeping an eye on your gas gauge is easy. Consider leaving Garfield in the morning to arrive in West Allis with plenty of daylight for any activities you have planned.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.5 miles from Garfield, WI, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 32 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.5 miles or 1h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Allis, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Garfield, 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 Garfield, WI

This is one driving day of about 147 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Garfield, 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 80.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.5 mi from Garfield, WI · 1h 31m into the drive

civil town in Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Black Wolf, WI

74 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Waupaca, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Black Wolf, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.5 miles from Garfield, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.

Arriving in West Allis, WI

The final approach into West Allis, 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 West Allis, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.98 one way

$45.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.23 $50.47
premium $4.89 $28.29 $56.58
diesel $5.61 $32.46 $64.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.1 0 $15.43 $7.06
Efficient EV 36.8 0 $12.86 $5.88
EV Truck/SUV 58.8 0 $20.58 $9.41

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 15, 2026

Origin

Garfield, WI

Morning in Garfield on Friday

Local time

10:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Allis, WI

Morning in West Allis on Friday

Local time

10:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

20 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

2h 56m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Garfield, WI to West Allis, WI covers 147 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 41, US Highway 10, US 45. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 73.5 miles from Garfield, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 147 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 50.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Garfield, WI to West Allis, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.

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