Trip from Milwaukee, WI to Wausaukee, WI

Drive Time

3h 25m

Distance

177.9 mi

286 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

13 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m

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

Downtown Milwaukee, WI, WI

Milwaukee, WI

Blue Arauz

Downtown Wausaukee, WI, WI

Wausaukee, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Milwaukee, WI to Wausaukee, WI covers 177.9 miles and takes about 3h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 43, US 141, North-South Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.5 miles on I 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.02 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

89 miles from Milwaukee, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 25m highway drive covering 177.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 43 and US 141. The longest continuous stretch is about 97.5 miles on I 43.

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 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 97.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 141. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Wisconsin Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Wisconsin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Plankinton Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 43 / North-South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Wisconsin Avenue

Turn right onto East Wisconsin Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Plankinton Avenue

Turn right onto North Plankinton Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
6
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 43 / North-South Freeway

Merge onto I 43 / North-South Freeway toward I 43 North: Green Bay

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 43 North: Green Bay
7
119.1 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 North, US 141 North: Marinette, Iron Mountain

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 192 A Toward US 41 North, US 141 North: Marinette, Ir...
7
135.3 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 141

Keep slight left at fork onto US 141 toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 187 Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Milwaukee, WI to Wausaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Mountain along the way.

Iron Mountain

119.1 mi in | ~2h 13m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 43 97.5 mi 1h 44m
US 141 42.6 mi 54m
North-South Freeway 20.1 mi 24m
US 41 15.4 mi 16m
West Kilbourn Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
East Wisconsin Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
North Plankinton Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
North Milwaukee Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 43 — 97.5 mi, about 1h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee, WI and Wausaukee, WI.

1

Start on US 18; WI 32

45 ft · 5 sec · North Milwaukee Street
2

Turn right onto East Wisconsin Avenue

0.2 mi · 42 sec · East Wisconsin Avenue
3

Turn right onto North Plankinton Avenue

0.2 mi · 36 sec · North Plankinton Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Turn left onto West Kilbourn Avenue

0.3 mi · 51 sec · West Kilbourn Avenue
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 43 North Use the straight lane.
6

Merge onto I 43

20 mi · 24 min · North-South Freeway
Toward I 43 North: Green Bay Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 43; WI 57

98 mi · 1 hr 44 min · I 43; WI 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 192 A Toward US 41 North, US 141 North: Marinette, Iron Mountain
9

Merge onto US 41; US 141

15 mi · 16 min · US 41; US 141
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 141

43 mi · 54 min · US 141
Exit 187 Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain
11

Turn left

31 ft · 7 sec
12

Turn left

20 ft · 1 sec
13

Arrive at 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 89 miles from Milwaukee, WI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.5 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89 miles or 1h 40m 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 44m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee, WI

This is one driving day of about 177.9 miles and 3h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Milwaukee, 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 43 for about 97.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 89 mi from Milwaukee, WI · 1h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

89 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

Waukegan, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89 miles from Milwaukee, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.5 miles.

Arriving in Wausaukee, WI

The final approach into Wausaukee, 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 Wausaukee, 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

$27.02 one way

$54.04 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $29.79 $59.58
premium $4.80 $33.58 $67.17
diesel $5.64 $39.52 $79.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Bayshore Town Center - Tesla Supercharger

Glendale, WI

Tesla

12 DCFC

Walmart 5669 (West Milwaukee, WI)

West Milwaukee, WI

Electrify America

10 DCFC

Festival Foods - Tesla Supercharger

Sheboygan, WI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Festival Foods - Tesla Supercharger

Manitowoc, WI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Heiser Ford - DCFC

Glendale, WI

Blink Network

6 DCFC

Gordie Boucher Ford of Thiensville

Thiensville, WI

SYNERGEV

4 DCFC

Comfort Inn & Suites - Sheboygan

Sheboygan, WI

FCN

4 DCFC

Dorsch Ford

Green Bay, WI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Tesla: 3 ChargePoint Network: 2 EV Connect: 2 Electrify America: 1 Blink Network: 1 ABM: 1 SYNERGEV: 1 FCN: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.4 0 $18.68 $8.54
Efficient EV 44.5 0 $15.57 $7.12
EV Truck/SUV 71.2 0 $24.91 $11.39

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Milwaukee, WI

Afternoon in Milwaukee on Monday

Local time

2:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Wausaukee, WI

Afternoon in Wausaukee on Monday

Local time

2:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

NE 2 to 7 mph 22% 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

28 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

3h 25m 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 Milwaukee, WI to Wausaukee, WI covers 177.9 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 43, US 141, North-South Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89 miles from Milwaukee, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.02 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Wisconsin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Plankinton Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 43 / North-South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Milwaukee, WI to Wausaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Mountain along the way.

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Return Trip

Wausaukee, WI to Milwaukee, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

178.1 mi 3h 26m

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