Origin
Mequon, WI
Morning in Mequon on Saturday
Local time
11:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mequon, WI to Altoona, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 43m
Distance
249.2 mi
401 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 30m
★
6 AM
4h 44m
8 AM
5h 11m
10 AM
4h 53m
12 PM
4h 50m
3 PM
4h 55m
5 PM
5h 9m
8 PM
4h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mequon, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Altoona, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mequon, WI to Altoona, WI covers 249.2 miles and takes about 4h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Swan Road, West County Line Road, North 107th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.96 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
124.6 miles from Mequon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 249.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 43m drive with frequent turns across 249.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Swan Road 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 43m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Mequon, WI to Altoona, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Swan Road | — | — |
| West County Line Road | — | — |
| North 107th Street | — | — |
| West Brown Deer Road | — | — |
| North 124th Street | — | — |
| I 41 South | — | — |
| Zoo Freeway | — | — |
| I 94 West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Swan Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mequon, WI and Altoona, WI.
1
Start on the route
0.1 mi
·
44 sec
·
the route
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Swan Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Swan Road
3
Turn right onto West County Line Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West County Line Road
4
Turn left onto North 107th Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 107th Street
5
Turn right onto West Brown Deer Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Brown Deer Road
6
Turn left onto North 124th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North 124th Street
7
Take the ramp left toward I 41 South, US 45
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 41 South, US 45
8
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Zoo Freeway
9
Take the exit slight right toward WI 190, I 94 West Alternate: Capitol Drive
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
WI 190, I 94 West Alternate: Capitol Drive
10
Keep slight right to continue on WI 190 East
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
WI 190 East
11
Turn straight onto West Capitol Drive
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
West Capitol Drive
12
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
13
Keep slight left
207 ft
·
10 sec
14
Turn left onto Redford Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Redford Boulevard
15
Take the ramp slight right
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
16
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East-West Freeway
17
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
18
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
19
Keep slight left
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
20
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
21
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
22
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
23
Merge slight left
1.6 mi
·
1 min
24
Take the exit slight right toward US 12: Clairemont Avenue
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 12: Clairemont Avenue
25
Keep slight right to continue on US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
26
Keep slight right to continue on US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
443 ft
·
11 sec
·
US 12: East Clairemont Avenue
27
Turn straight onto US 12
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 12
28
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
29
Turn left onto 10th Street West
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street West
30
Turn right onto Bartlett Avenue
522 ft
·
28 sec
·
Bartlett Avenue
31
Turn left onto 9th Street West
341 ft
·
17 sec
·
9th Street West
32
Turn right onto Garfield Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Garfield Avenue
33
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 124.6 miles from Mequon, WI, or about 2h 21m 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.6 miles or 2h 21m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altoona, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mequon, 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 Mequon, WI
This is one driving day of about 249.2 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Mequon, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.6 mi from Mequon, WI · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.6 miles from Mequon, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Altoona, WI
The final approach into Altoona, 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 Altoona, 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
$38.96 one way
$77.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.78 | $85.55 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.96 | $95.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.02 | $110.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.8 | 0 | $26.17 | $11.96 |
| Efficient EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.80 | $9.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.7 | 1 | $34.89 | $15.95 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Altoona, WI
Morning in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
11:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°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
26 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
4h 43m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mequon, WI to Altoona, WI covers 249.2 miles and takes about 4h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Swan Road, West County Line Road, North 107th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.6 miles from Mequon, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 43m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Mequon, WI to Altoona, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Mequon, WI to Altoona, 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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