Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Afternoon in Wauwatosa on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Combined Locks, WI
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
105.2 mi
169 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wauwatosa, WI
Tom Fisk
Combined Locks, WI
Athena Sandrini
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Wauwatosa to Combined Locks, expect a straightforward journey covering 105.2 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 2 hours and 2 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel should cover your transit across the Wisconsin landscape. Because the trip is relatively short, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations or complex logistics. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects two points in the Midwest without requiring extensive planning.
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
52.6 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on major thoroughfares, with 94% of your journey taking place on interstate or expressway systems. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via I-41, the Zoo Freeway, and the Tri-County Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 74.4 miles on I-41, which defines the core personality of the trip. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding roads. Staying focused is key during these long, continuous highway segments.
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 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and Zoo Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 105.2 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 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
7
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway toward Appleton, Green Bay
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward Appleton, Green Bay
8
20.2 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
8
94.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 134A
Toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point
7
94.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 10 East, WI 441 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 134A
Toward US 10 East, WI 441 North
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Combined Locks, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
20.2 mi in
|
~26m
|
via I 41; US 41
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 74.4 mi | 1h 19m |
| Zoo Freeway | 18.2 mi | 21m |
| Tri-County Expressway | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| West Watertown Plank Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Kennedy Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| County Road CE | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Wallace Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa, WI and Combined Locks, WI.
1
Start on West State Street
137 ft
·
6 sec
·
West State Street
2
Continue on West Menomonee River Parkway
360 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Menomonee River Parkway
3
Turn left onto WI 181
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Harmonee Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn slight right onto WI 181
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Harwood Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on West Watertown Plank Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Watertown Plank Road
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 41 South, US 45 South: Milwaukee, Beloit, Madison, Appleton
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Toward Appleton, Green Bay
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
74 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 134A
Toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 134A
Toward US 10 East, WI 441 North
12
Merge onto US 10; WI 441
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
13
Continue on US 10; WI 441
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Tri-County Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward CTH CE: College Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
509 ft
·
12 sec
16
Turn straight onto CTH CE
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
County Road CE
17
Enter roundabout onto CTH CE
160 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Road CE
18
Continue on CTH CE
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
County Road CE
19
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
20
Turn left onto Railroad Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Railroad Street
21
Enter roundabout onto Marcella Street
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
Marcella Street
22
Continue on Marcella Street
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marcella Street
23
Continue on West Kennedy Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Kennedy Avenue
24
Turn left onto CTH N
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Washington Street
25
Turn right onto Wallace Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wallace Street
26
Arrive at destination
Wallace Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the entire route is highway-centric, consider checking traffic reports for I-41 before you head out to avoid potential congestion on the interstates. You likely won't need to plan formal stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise even with the modest $16 estimated cost. Because this is a direct, high-speed route, try to time your departure to miss peak commuting hours to ensure a smoother experience behind the wheel.
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 52.6 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.6 miles or 1h 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 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Combined Locks, 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.
+
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 Wauwatosa, WI
This is one driving day of about 105.2 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wauwatosa, 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 41 for about 74.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.6 mi from Wauwatosa, WI · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.6 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.4 miles.
Arriving in Combined Locks, WI
The final approach into Combined Locks, 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 Combined Locks, 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
$15.98 one way
$31.96 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $17.61 | $35.23 |
| premium | $4.80 | $19.86 | $39.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.37 | $46.74 |
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: 36.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.05 | $5.05 |
| Efficient EV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.21 | $4.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.73 | $6.73 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Combined Locks, WI
Afternoon in Combined Locks on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
4 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
2h 2m 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 Combined Locks, WI covers 105.2 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, Zoo Freeway, Tri-County Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.6 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 $15.98 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 105.2 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 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 41; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Combined Locks, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
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