Origin
Townsend, WI
Morning in Townsend on Saturday
Local time
10:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
181.8 mi
293 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Townsend, WI
Tom Fisk
Wauwatosa, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI covers 181.8 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 32, Red Banks Road, County Road M for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.42 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
90.9 miles from Townsend, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 181.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 9m drive with frequent turns across 181.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 32 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is easy. At 3h 9m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 32 | — | — |
| Red Banks Road | — | — |
| County Road M | — | — |
| County Road R | — | — |
| Highway 22 | — | — |
| Highway 117 | — | — |
| South Cecil Street | — | — |
| Highway 47 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 32
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Townsend, WI and Wauwatosa, WI.
1
Start on Elm Street
75 ft
·
4 sec
·
Elm Street
2
Turn right onto State Highway 32
27 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 32
3
Turn right onto Red Banks Road
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Red Banks Road
4
Turn right onto County Road M
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road M
5
Turn left onto County Road R
12 mi
·
17 min
·
County Road R
6
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 22
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 22
7
Turn left onto State Highway 117
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 117
8
Continue on South Cecil Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cecil Street
9
Continue on State Highway 47
17 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 47
10
Continue on North Main Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
11
Continue on State Highway 47
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 47
12
Turn right onto County Road A
5.9 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road A
13
Continue on North Lynndale Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lynndale Drive
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Lynndale Drive
105 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Lynndale Drive
15
Exit the roundabout onto North Lynndale Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lynndale Drive
16
Turn right onto West Northland Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Northland Avenue
17
Take the ramp slight left toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Oshkosh, Milwaukee
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 41 South, US 41 South: Oshkosh, Milwaukee
18
Merge slight left
98 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
19
Take the exit slight right toward Watertown Plank Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Watertown Plank Road
20
Keep slight left to continue on Watertown Plank Road East
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Watertown Plank Road East
21
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Watertown Plank Road
22
Continue on Harwood Avenue
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Harwood Avenue
23
Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Harmonee Avenue
24
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
499 ft
·
21 sec
·
West Menomonee River Parkway
25
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 90.9 miles from Townsend, WI, or about 1h 34m 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 40 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.9 miles or 1h 34m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wauwatosa, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Townsend, 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 Townsend, WI
This is one driving day of about 181.8 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Townsend, 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 90.9 mi from Townsend, WI · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.9 miles from Townsend, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wauwatosa, WI
The final approach into Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa, 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
$28.42 one way
$56.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.21 | $62.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.99 | $69.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.14 | $80.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.09 | $8.73 |
| Efficient EV | 45.5 | 0 | $15.91 | $7.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.45 | $11.64 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Wauwatosa, WI
Morning in Wauwatosa on Saturday
Local time
10:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
10 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 9m 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 Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI covers 181.8 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 32, Red Banks Road, County Road M. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.9 miles from Townsend, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.42 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.
The drive from Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is easy. At 3h 9m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Townsend, WI to Wauwatosa, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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