Origin
New Berlin, WI
Afternoon in New Berlin on Sunday
Local time
1:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Berlin, WI to Lima, WI
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
251.8 mi
405 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
New Berlin, WI
Esteban Arango
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from New Berlin to Lima, expect a straightforward journey covering 251.8 miles across the Wisconsin landscape. You can comfortably complete this drive in approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $38, the route is economically manageable for most travelers. Since the entire drive stays within the Midwest, you will experience consistent regional surroundings throughout the journey. Because the trip is under five hours, most drivers find it unnecessary to book an overnight stay, allowing for a flexible departure and arrival schedule.
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
125.9 miles from New Berlin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on major thoroughfares, with 95% of your travel taking place on high-speed highways. You will primarily navigate via I-94, I-90, and the East-West Freeway, providing a steady, consistent pace for the duration of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 87.6-mile segment on I-94, which requires sustained attention behind the wheel. Because of the heavy highway reliance, you should anticipate a fast-paced environment rather than a winding, technical drive. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes efficiency and directness over local road exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 251.8 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 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
10.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 94 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
64.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
93.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
156.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
6
215.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 88
Toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta
Towns Along This Route
Between New Berlin, WI and Lima, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Cth R: Osseo and Augusta.
Eau Claire
64.1 mi in
|
~1h 12m
|
via I 94
Saint Paul
156.7 mi in
|
~2h 51m
|
via I 94
Cth R: Osseo
215.2 mi in
|
~3h 54m
Augusta
215.2 mi in
|
~3h 54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 87.6 mi | 1h 34m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| East-West Freeway | 60.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| US Highway 10 | 28.6 mi | 39m |
| 10th Street | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| South Moorland Road | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| County Highway V | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 87.6 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Berlin, WI and Lima, WI.
1
Start on West National Avenue
69 ft
·
1 sec
·
West National Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto CTH O
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
South Moorland Road
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto I 94
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 88
Toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta
10
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft
·
6 sec
11
Turn left onto US 10
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
10th Street
12
Continue on US 10
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 10
13
Continue on US 10
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Mondovi Street East
14
Continue on US 10
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 10
15
Continue on US 10
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
East Main Street
16
Continue on US 10
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 10
17
Turn right onto CTH V
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway V
18
Arrive at destination
CTH V
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan to incorporate at least one dedicated stop into your itinerary to break up the nearly five hours of travel. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion on major arteries like I-90 and I-94. Since the route is almost entirely highway-based, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds before you depart. Given the $38 fuel estimate, consider topping off your tank before hitting the interstate to avoid premium highway gas prices. Since you only have one planned stop, use that time strategically to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long, monotonous stretches can be taxing on your focus.
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 125.9 miles from New Berlin, WI, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.6 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lima, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Berlin, 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 New Berlin, WI
This is one driving day of about 251.8 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Berlin, 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 94 for about 87.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.9 mi from New Berlin, WI · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.9 miles from New Berlin, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.6 miles.
Arriving in Lima, WI
The final approach into Lima, 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 Lima, 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
$38.25 one way
$76.49 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.16 | $84.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.53 | $95.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.94 | $111.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.44 | $12.09 |
| Efficient EV | 63 | 0 | $22.03 | $10.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.7 | 1 | $35.25 | $16.12 |
Gas CO2
88 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
Lima, WI
Afternoon in Lima on Sunday
Local time
1:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
14 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 50m 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 New Berlin, WI to Lima, WI covers 251.8 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 90, East-West 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 125.9 miles from New Berlin, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.25 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 demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 251.8 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 10.6 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.2 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between New Berlin, WI and Lima, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Cth R: Osseo and Augusta.
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