Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Ettrick, WI

Drive Time

4h 13m

Distance

213.7 mi

344 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

4h 1m ★

6 AM

4h 14m

8 AM

4h 40m

10 AM

4h 23m

12 PM

4h 20m

3 PM

4h 24m

5 PM

4h 39m

8 PM

4h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Wauwatosa, WI

Tom Fisk

Ettrick, WI

Anete Lusina

Trip Overview

The drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Ettrick, WI covers 213.7 miles and takes about 4h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, East-West Freeway, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.4 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.46 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

106.8 miles from Wauwatosa, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 13m highway drive covering 213.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and East-West Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.4 miles on I 90.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 213.7 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 0.1 miles (WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue

Turn left onto WI 181 / Harmonee Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 94 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 94 West

1.9 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 West: Madison

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 94 West: Madison

67 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...

159.6 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | I 90

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 45 Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

Towns Along This Route

Between Wauwatosa, WI and Ettrick, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and La Crosse.

Eau Claire

67 mi in | ~1h 16m | via I 94

La Crosse

159.6 mi in | ~2h 56m | via I 90

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	80.4 mi	1h 26m
East-West Freeway	64.3 mi	1h 10m
I 94	29.1 mi	31m
County Highway D	8.3 mi	14m
State Highway 27	8 mi	11m
State Highway 71	7.6 mi	11m
County Road D	6.4 mi	11m
East Wisconsin Street	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 80.4 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa, WI and Ettrick, WI.

Start on West State Street

137 ft · 6 sec · West State Street

Continue on West Menomonee River Parkway

360 ft · 22 sec · West Menomonee River Parkway

Turn left onto WI 181

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Harmonee Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn slight right onto WI 181

520 ft · 15 sec · Harwood Avenue

Turn left onto WI 181

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Glenview Avenue

Use the left lane.

Continue on WI 181

0.2 mi · 34 sec · South 84th Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 94 West Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 94 West: Madison Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 94

11 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

54 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

29 mi · 31 min · I 94

Exit 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 90; I 94

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

17 mi · 18 min · I 90

Exit 45 Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 28 Toward WI 16: Sparta

Keep slight right at fork

201 ft · 4 sec

Turn straight onto WI 16

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Wisconsin Street

Enter roundabout onto WI 16; WI 71

116 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 16

Continue on WI 16; WI 71

0.2 mi · 24 sec · State Highway 16

Continue on WI 16; WI 71

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Wisconsin Street

Turn right onto East Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East Avenue

Turn left onto East Oak Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · East Oak Street

Turn right onto WI 21

0.4 mi · 46 sec · South Water Street

Turn left onto West Montgomery Street

0.5 mi · 56 sec · West Montgomery Street

Turn right onto WI 27; WI 71

0.3 mi · 26 sec · North Black River Street

Continue on WI 27; WI 71

8.0 mi · 11 min · State Highway 27

Turn left onto WI 71

7.6 mi · 11 min · State Highway 71

Turn right onto WI 108

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 108

Continue on WI 108

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Sparta Street

Continue on WI 54

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Washington Street

Continue on WI 54

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Highway 54

Turn left onto CTH D

8.3 mi · 14 min · County Highway D

Continue on CTH D

6.4 mi · 11 min · County Road D

Continue on CTH D

0.2 mi · 26 sec · South Main Street

Arrive at destination

CTH D

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 106.8 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 1h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.4 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 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 106.8 miles or 1h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ettrick, 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 213.7 miles and 4h 13m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 80.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 106.8 mi from Wauwatosa, WI · 1h 59m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

107 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.8 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.4 miles.

Arriving in Ettrick, WI

The final approach into Ettrick, 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 Ettrick, 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

$32.46 one way

$64.92 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$35.78	$71.56
premium	$4.80	$40.34	$80.68
diesel	$5.64	$47.48	$94.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.1	0	$22.44	$10.26
Efficient EV	53.4	0	$18.70	$8.55
EV Truck/SUV	85.5	1	$29.92	$13.68

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Wauwatosa, WI

Afternoon in Wauwatosa on Sunday

Local time

3:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ettrick, WI

Afternoon in Ettrick on Sunday

Local time

3:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

38°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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 13m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Ettrick, WI covers 213.7 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, East-West Freeway, I 94. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 106.8 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 $32.46 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Wauwatosa, WI and Ettrick, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and La Crosse.

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Return Trip

Ettrick, WI to Wauwatosa, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

213.6 mi 4h 13m

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Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Ettrick, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ettrick, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Wauwatosa, WI

Ettrick, WI

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 13m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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