Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Night in Wauwatosa on Wednesday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 55m
Distance
100.2 mi
161 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 47m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wauwatosa, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Appleton, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI covers 100.2 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Menomonee River Parkway, Harmonee Avenue, Harwood Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.67 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
50.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 55m drive with frequent turns across 100.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Menomonee River Parkway 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI is easy. At 1h 55m 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 Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Menomonee River Parkway | — | — |
| Harmonee Avenue | — | — |
| Harwood Avenue | — | — |
| West Watertown Plank Road | — | — |
| I 41 South | — | — |
| I 41 | — | — |
| Zoo Freeway | — | — |
| US 41 North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West Menomonee River Parkway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa, WI and Appleton, WI.
1
Start on West State Street
138 ft
·
6 sec
·
West State Street
2
Continue on West Menomonee River Parkway
361 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Menomonee River Parkway
3
Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Harmonee Avenue
4
Turn slight right onto Harwood Avenue
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Harwood Avenue
5
Continue on West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Watertown Plank Road
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 41 South, US 45 South: Milwaukee, Beloit, Madison, Appleton
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 41 South, US 45 South: Milwaukee, Beloit, Madison, Appleton
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
8
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Zoo Freeway
9
Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point
11
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 East, WI 441 North
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 10 East, WI 441 North
12
Merge slight left onto Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
13
Continue on Tri-County Expressway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Tri-County Expressway
14
Take the exit slight right toward WI 47
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
WI 47
15
Keep slight left
449 ft
·
11 sec
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Appleton Road
256 ft
·
4 sec
·
Appleton Road
17
Exit the roundabout onto Appleton Road
351 ft
·
6 sec
·
Appleton Road
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Appleton Road
118 ft
·
2 sec
·
Appleton Road
19
Exit the roundabout onto Appleton Road
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Appleton Road
20
Continue on South Memorial Drive
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Drive
21
Turn straight
269 ft
·
10 sec
22
Turn straight onto West College Avenue
203 ft
·
34 sec
·
West College Avenue
23
Continue on West College Avenue
259 ft
·
9 sec
·
West College Avenue
24
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 50.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 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 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.1 miles or 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 1h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Appleton, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wauwatosa, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wauwatosa, WI
This is one driving day of about 100.2 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Wauwatosa, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.1 mi from Wauwatosa, WI · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Appleton, WI
The final approach into Appleton, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.67 one way
$31.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.20 | $34.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.28 | $38.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.12 | $44.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.52 | $4.81 |
| Efficient EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.77 | $4.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Appleton, WI
Night in Appleton on Wednesday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
1 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
1h 55m 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 Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI covers 100.2 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Menomonee River Parkway, Harmonee Avenue, Harwood Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.67 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.
The drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI is easy. At 1h 55m 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 Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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