Origin
Wauwatosa, WI
Evening in Wauwatosa on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Cudahy, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
24m
Distance
12.5 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wauwatosa, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Cudahy, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit across the Milwaukee area, the 12.5-mile journey from Wauwatosa to Cudahy is a straightforward endeavor. Expect to spend about 24 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route primarily utilizes the East-West Freeway, the John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway, and the Lake Freeway. With a fuel budget of just $2, it is a highly economical way to navigate between these two Midwest locales. Since both towns are located within Wisconsin, you will stay within the same familiar regional landscape the entire time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
6.2 miles from Wauwatosa, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is distinctly highway-focused, with 65% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of fast-moving freeway segments interspersed with parkway driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 3.1-mile segment along the East-West Freeway, providing a brief period of steady cruising. Transitioning between these arteries defines the character of the trip, requiring you to remain alert as you shift from the freeway system onto the parkway. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East-West Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 3.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 12.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 24m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.1 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (I 794 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East: Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East: Downtown
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 94 / East-West Freeway
Merge onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
5.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 794 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794 / East-West Freeway toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
5
10.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
10.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
East Howard Avenue
Turn left onto East Howard Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wauwatosa, WI and Cudahy, WI, road signs point toward Port Of Milwaukee and Lakefront.
Port Of Milwaukee
5.1 mi in
|
~10m
|
via I 794
Lakefront
6.2 mi in
|
~12m
|
via I 794
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Lake Freeway | 2 mi | 3m |
| West State Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| South Kinnickinnic Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| WI 175 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Howard Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Alois Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 3.1 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa, WI and Cudahy, WI.
1
Start on West State Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West State Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto North Alois Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Alois Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward WI 175 South
4
Merge onto WI 175
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
WI 175
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East: Downtown
6
Merge onto I 94
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East-West Freeway
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 794
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Freeway
Toward Lakefront
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on I 794
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
10
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward Howard Avenue
11
Keep slight left at fork
96 ft
·
5 sec
12
Turn left onto East Howard Avenue
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Howard Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn right onto South Kinnickinnic Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Kinnickinnic Avenue
14
Continue on East Plankinton Avenue
463 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Plankinton Avenue
15
Turn right onto South Kingan Avenue
167 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Kingan Avenue
16
Turn left
303 ft
·
22 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 24-minute trip is quite short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops, as the duration is manageable in a single, continuous push. Keep in mind that the highway-heavy nature of the route means traffic flow can change quickly, so check local conditions before pulling out of Wauwatosa. Given the $2 fuel cost, you can easily budget for the trip without worrying about multiple fill-ups. A pro tip for this specific drive is to keep a close watch on your lane positioning when moving between the Lake Freeway and the John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway to ensure a smooth transition.
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 6.2 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.1 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 12.5 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.2 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cudahy, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Wauwatosa, WI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wauwatosa, WI
This is one driving day of about 12.5 miles and 24m.
At 12.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 3.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.2 mi from Wauwatosa, WI · 12m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.2 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cudahy, WI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cudahy, WI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.95 one way
$3.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.15 | $4.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.41 | $4.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.76 | $5.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.31 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.09 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Cudahy, WI
Evening in Cudahy on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
24m 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 Cudahy, WI covers 12.5 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East-West Freeway, John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway, Lake Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.2 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 $1.95 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 short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 12.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 24m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.1 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles (I 794 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Wauwatosa, WI and Cudahy, WI, road signs point toward Port Of Milwaukee and Lakefront.
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