Origin
Manitowoc Rapids, WI
Night in Manitowoc Rapids on Wednesday
Local time
10:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manitowoc Rapids, WI to Wauwatosa, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
82.6 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manitowoc Rapids, WI
Tom Fisk
Wauwatosa, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are heading south from Manitowoc Rapids to Wauwatosa, you are looking at a straightforward 82.6-mile journey through Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 41 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Since the drive is relatively short and contained within the Midwest, you won't need to worry about splitting it into multiple days. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire trip. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing major transit corridors to get you to your destination without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
41.3 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your travel time spent on major routes like I-43. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 75.5 miles of interstate driving. Transitioning from the regional roads of Manitowoc Rapids onto the interstate provides a consistent, high-speed experience for the bulk of your commute. As you approach Wauwatosa, the route shifts from open highway segments to local navigation via North Rapids Road and West State Street. You can expect a predictable, efficient experience that favors speed over winding secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Calumet Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Manitowoc Rapids, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is easy. At 1h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Manitowoc Rapids, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Calumet Avenue | — | — |
| Highland Avenue | — | — |
| West Highland Avenue | — | — |
| West Highland Boulevard | — | — |
| North 35th Street | — | — |
| West Linden Place | — | — |
| West State Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Calumet Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manitowoc Rapids, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on North Rapids Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Rapids Road
2
Turn right onto Calumet Avenue
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Calumet Avenue
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
4
Merge slight left
76 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward Highland Avenue, 11th Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Highland Avenue, 11th Street
6
Turn right onto West Highland Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Highland Avenue
7
Continue on West Highland Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Highland Boulevard
8
Turn left onto North 35th Street
276 ft
·
10 sec
·
North 35th Street
9
Turn right onto West Linden Place
121 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Linden Place
10
Turn straight onto West State Street
2.7 mi
·
7 min
·
West State Street
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a compact trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule without needing to plan for overnight stops. Since you will be spending the vast majority of your time on I-43, keep a close eye on traffic patterns as you near the Wauwatosa area, where highway volume can fluctuate. There are no mandatory stops required for a drive of this duration, allowing you to complete the trip in one continuous push. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider filling your tank before leaving Manitowoc Rapids to avoid mid-trip fuel stops. Use the 1-hour and 41-minute window to your advantage by checking real-time traffic updates before you pull out of your driveway.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.3 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI, or about 50m into the drive.
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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 50m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wauwatosa, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manitowoc Rapids, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Manitowoc Rapids, WI
This is one driving day of about 82.6 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.3 mi from Manitowoc Rapids, WI · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wauwatosa, WI
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.91 one way
$25.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.18 | $28.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.90 | $31.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.24 | $36.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.67 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.23 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.56 | $5.29 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Night in Wauwatosa on Wednesday
Local time
10:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Port Washington, WI
41 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 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
1h 41m 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 Manitowoc Rapids, WI to Wauwatosa, WI covers 82.6 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Calumet Avenue, Highland Avenue, West Highland Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.3 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.91 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.
The drive from Manitowoc Rapids, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is easy. At 1h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Manitowoc Rapids, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Manitowoc Rapids, WI to Wauwatosa, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Wauwatosa, WI
More from Manitowoc Rapids, WI
More trips to Wauwatosa, WI
Explore more options from Manitowoc Rapids, WI or browse trips ending in Wauwatosa, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for Manitowoc Rapids, WI or Wauwatosa, WI on MapSof.net.