The drive from New Richmond, WI to Oak Creek, WI covers 324.8 miles and takes about 6h 6m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, State Highway 65, Airport Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 292.5 miles on I 94.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.78 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
162.4 miles from New Richmond, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 6m. Total distance: 324.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 6m highway drive covering 324.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and State Highway 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 292.5 miles on I 94.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 292.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 324.8 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 12.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
12.4 mi into trip|~19m in
Enter roundabout toward Eau Claire, Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
8
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
305.4 mi into trip|~5h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
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 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
306 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
9
315.1 mi into trip|~5h 49m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New Richmond, WI to Oak Creek, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
305.4 mi in|~5h 35m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
292.5 mi
5h 14m
State Highway 65
10.1 mi
14m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
North-South Freeway
3.2 mi
4m
East Puetz Road
2.5 mi
5m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
West Drexel Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 292.5 mi, about 5h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Richmond, WI and Oak Creek, WI.
1
Start on CTH K
259 ft·12 sec·East 1st Street
2
Turn left onto WI 65
1.3 mi·3 min·South Knowles Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on WI 65
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 65
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
127 ft·2 sec·State Highway 65
5
Continue on WI 65
5.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 65
6
Turn slight right onto WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·WI 65
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
231 ft·13 sec·State Highway 65
8
Continue on WI 65
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
110 ft·6 sec·State Highway 65
10
Continue on WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
11
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 65
12
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
94 ft·5 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
13
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·16 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
14
Enter roundabout
293 ft·17 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
15
Continue
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
16
Merge onto I 94
228 mi·4 hr 4 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
20
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
22
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
3.2 mi·4 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 321Toward Drexel AvenueUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Drexel Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn right onto WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·South Howell Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Turn left onto East Puetz Road
2.5 mi·5 min·East Puetz Road
30
Arrive at destination
East Puetz Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.4 miles from New Richmond, WI, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 292.5 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 71 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.4 miles or 3h 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 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Creek, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Richmond, 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 Richmond, WI
This is one driving day of about 324.8 miles and 6h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from New Richmond, 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 292.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.4 mi from New Richmond, WI
· 3h 1m into the drive
The midpoint is around 162.4 miles from New Richmond, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 292.5 miles.
Arriving in Oak Creek, WI
The final approach into Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek, WI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 179.2
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.78 one way
$101.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$55.75
$111.51
premium
$4.89
$62.50
$125.01
diesel
$5.61
$71.71
$143.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
Efficient EV
81.2
0
$28.42
$12.99
EV Truck/SUV
129.9
1
$45.47
$20.79
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
New Richmond, WI
Morning
in New Richmond on Saturday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oak Creek, WI
Morning
in Oak Creek on Saturday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Adams, WI
162 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
16 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
6h 6m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New Richmond, WI to Oak Creek, WI covers 324.8 miles and takes about 6h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, State Highway 65, Airport 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 162.4 miles from New Richmond, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.78 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 23 significant decision points across 324.8 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 12.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from New Richmond, WI to Oak Creek, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
