Skip to main content

Trip from Oak Creek, WI to Black River Falls, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

207.6 mi

334 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

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

Downtown Oak Creek, WI, WI

Oak Creek, WI

Tom Fisk

city in and county seat of Jackson County, Wisconsin, United States

Black River Falls, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Oak Creek, WI to Black River Falls, WI covers 207.6 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on South Howell Avenue, West Drexel Avenue, I 41 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.46 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

103.8 miles from Oak Creek, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 54m drive with frequent turns across 207.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Howell Avenue 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.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 54m 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 Oak Creek, WI to Black River Falls, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Howell Avenue
West Drexel Avenue
I 41 North
North-South Freeway
Airport Freeway
I 94 West
East-West Freeway
I 39 North

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: South Howell Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Oak Creek, WI and Black River Falls, WI.

1

Start on East Puetz Road

2.4 mi · 5 min · East Puetz Road
2

Turn right onto South Howell Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Howell Avenue
3

Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Drexel Avenue
4

Take the ramp straight toward I 41 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee

0.5 mi · 43 sec · I 41 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
5

Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway

2.5 mi · 3 min · North-South Freeway
6

Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac

0.6 mi · 49 sec · I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
7

Continue straight

1.1 mi · 1 min
8

Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway

4.6 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
9

Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
10

Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee

0.2 mi · 16 sec · I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
11

Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

0.6 mi · 56 sec · I 94 West: Madison
12

Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

0.1 mi · 11 sec · I 94 West: Madison
13

Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

10 mi · 11 min · East-West Freeway
14

Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

54 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
15

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
16

Keep slight left

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
17

Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

30 mi · 32 min · I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
18

Take the exit slight right toward WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls

0.2 mi · 30 sec · WI 54, I 94 Alternate: Wisconsin Rapids, Black River Falls
19

Keep slight left

128 ft · 5 sec
20

Turn left onto East Main Street

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
21

Turn left onto South 3rd Street

154 ft · 9 sec · South 3rd Street
22

Turn right

200 ft · 15 sec
23

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 103.8 miles from Oak Creek, WI, or about 1h 57m 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 46 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103.8 miles or 1h 57m 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 12m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek, WI

This is one driving day of about 207.6 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Oak Creek, 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 103.8 mi from Oak Creek, WI · 1h 57m into the drive

city in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lodi, WI

104 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

Menomonee Falls, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lodi, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.8 miles from Oak Creek, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Black River Falls, WI

The final approach into Black River Falls, 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 Black River Falls, 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

$32.46 one way

$64.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $35.64 $71.27
premium $4.89 $39.95 $79.90
diesel $5.61 $45.84 $91.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.3 0 $21.80 $9.96
Efficient EV 51.9 0 $18.17 $8.30
EV Truck/SUV 83 1 $29.06 $13.29

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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 15, 2026

Origin

Oak Creek, WI

Night in Oak Creek on Wednesday

Local time

10:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Black River Falls, WI

Night in Black River Falls on Wednesday

Local time

10:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

47°F

Lodi, WI

104 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

9 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 54m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Oak Creek, WI to Black River Falls, WI covers 207.6 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Howell Avenue, West Drexel Avenue, I 41 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.8 miles from Oak Creek, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.46 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 is a straightforward 3h 54m 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 Oak Creek, WI to Black River Falls, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Oak Creek, WI to Black River Falls, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More trips to Black River Falls, WI

Explore more options from Oak Creek, WI or browse trips ending in Black River Falls, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.

Explore maps for Oak Creek, WI or Black River Falls, WI on MapSof.net.