Origin
Oak Creek, WI
Late night in Oak Creek on Monday
Local time
4:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Creek, WI to Howards Grove, WI
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
73.2 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Creek, WI
Tom Fisk
Howards Grove, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Oak Creek, WI to Howards Grove, WI covers 73.2 miles and takes about 1h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 43, North-South Freeway, John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.1 miles on I 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.12 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.6 miles from Oak Creek, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 1h 34m highway drive covering 73.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 43 and North-South Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.1 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 26 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 35.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and North-South Freeway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near Nicholson Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 1.5 miles (Nicholson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Nicholson Avenue
Turn right onto Nicholson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
5.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
Turn left onto WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
12.3 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1B-C
Toward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
8
12.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 43 North: Green Bay
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1C
Toward I 43 North: Green Bay
6
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward WI 42: Sheboygan, Howards Grove
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 128
Toward WI 42: Sheboygan, Howards Grove
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Oak Creek, WI to Howards Grove, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Green Bay along the way.
Green Bay
12.3 mi in
|
~22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 43 | 35.1 mi | 37m |
| North-South Freeway | 20.8 mi | 25m |
| John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 42 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Nicholson Avenue | 2.5 mi | 6m |
| Lake Freeway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South Pennsylvania Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| East Forest Hill Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 35.1 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Creek, WI and Howards Grove, WI.
1
Start on East Puetz Road
108 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Puetz Road
2
Turn left onto South Chicago Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chicago Road
3
Turn left onto East Forest Hill Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Forest Hill Avenue
4
Turn right onto Nicholson Avenue
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Nicholson Avenue
5
Continue on South Pennsylvania Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South Pennsylvania Avenue
6
Turn left onto John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
7
Continue on Lake Freeway
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Freeway
8
Continue on East-West Freeway
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
East-West Freeway
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 43, I 94 East: Chicago, Green Bay
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 43 North: Green Bay
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 43 North: Green Bay
11
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
21 mi
·
25 min
·
North-South Freeway
12
Continue straight
35 mi
·
37 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward WI 42: Sheboygan, Howards Grove
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
WI 42: Sheboygan, Howards Grove
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
197 ft
·
3 sec
·
the route
15
Exit the roundabout
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 42
128 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 42
17
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 42
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
State Highway 42
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 42
167 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 42
19
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 42
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 42
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 42
128 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 42
21
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 42
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 42
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 42
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 42
23
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 42
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 42
24
Continue on Madison Avenue
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Madison Avenue
25
Turn left onto College Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
College Avenue
26
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.6 miles from Oak Creek, WI, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.1 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 73.2 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howards Grove, 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 73.2 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oak Creek, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 35.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.6 mi from Oak Creek, WI · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 73.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Oak Creek, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Howards Grove, WI
The final approach into Howards Grove, 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 Howards Grove, 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
$11.12 one way
$22.24 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.26 | $24.51 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.82 | $27.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.26 | $32.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Howards Grove, WI
Late night in Howards Grove on Monday
Local time
4:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
3 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
1h 34m 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 Howards Grove, WI covers 73.2 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 43, North-South Freeway, John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.6 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 $11.12 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 1.5 miles (Nicholson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (WI 794 / John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Oak Creek, WI to Howards Grove, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Green Bay along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Howards Grove, WI
More trips to Howards Grove, WI
Explore more options from Oak Creek, WI or browse trips ending in Howards Grove, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for Oak Creek, WI or Howards Grove, WI on MapSof.net.