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Trip from Medina, WI to West Allis, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 1m

Distance

102.7 mi

165 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 53m ★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m

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

Downtown Medina, WI, WI

Medina, WI

JIMMY Art

city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA

West Allis, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Medina, WI to West Allis, WI is 102.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m via I 41, US 45, and County Road M, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that’s perfect for a single-day journey. With a relatively short duration and a clear route, you won't need to worry about extensive planning or overnight stays.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.3 miles from Medina, WI

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major roads like I 41 and US 45. You'll experience an uninterrupted stretch of 80.8 miles on I 41, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the majority of the journey is on these faster highways, the inclusion of County Road M at the end suggests a slight shift towards more local roads as you approach your destination. Expect a predominantly consistent driving experience with minimal complex intersections for most of the trip.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 10 significant decision points across 102.7 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 6.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

6
6.8 mi into trip | ~11m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
100.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m 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
100.4 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
101.1 mi into trip | ~1h 57m 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
101.4 mi into trip | ~1h 58m 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 45 11 mi 12m
County Road M 5.4 mi 7m
County Road II 1.4 mi 3m
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 Medina, WI and West Allis, WI.

1

Start on CTH M

5.4 mi · 7 min · County Road M
2

At end of road, turn right onto CTH II; CTH M

1.4 mi · 3 min · County Road II
3

Turn left

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto US 45

11 mi · 12 min · US 45
5

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
6

Merge onto I 41; US 41

81 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

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.
8

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.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 306 Toward WI 181: 84th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

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.
11

Turn right onto WI 181

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 84th Street
12

Turn left onto WI 59

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Greenfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
13

Arrive at destination

WI 59

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 1m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day, making it easy to be flexible with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. While the drive is short, remember the longest stretch without a major road change is over 80 miles on I 41, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $16, and it's always wise to fill up before embarking on a drive with fewer services along the way.

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 51.3 miles from Medina, WI, or about 1h 1m 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 23 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 51.3 miles or 1h 1m 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 37m

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 Medina, 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 Medina, WI

This is one driving day of about 102.7 miles and 2h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Medina, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 51.3 mi from Medina, WI · 1h 1m into the drive

Downtown Fond du Lac, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fond du Lac, WI

51 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

Oshkosh, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fond du Lac, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.3 miles from Medina, 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

$16.06 one way

$32.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.63 $35.26
premium $4.89 $19.76 $39.53
diesel $5.61 $22.67 $45.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.8 0 $10.78 $4.93
Efficient EV 25.7 0 $8.99 $4.11
EV Truck/SUV 41.1 0 $14.38 $6.57

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 18, 2026

Origin

Medina, WI

Morning in Medina on Saturday

Local time

10:45 AM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

West Allis, WI

Morning in West Allis on Saturday

Local time

10:45 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Partly Sunny

W 15 to 20 mph 4% chance 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

5 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 1m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Medina, WI to West Allis, WI covers 102.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

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

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 51.3 miles from Medina, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.06 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.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 102.7 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 6.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Medina, 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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