Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Howards Grove, WI

Drive Time

1h 21m

Distance

64.1 mi

103 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 15m ★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 17m

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

Downtown Wauwatosa, WI, WI

Wauwatosa, WI

Tom Fisk

Downtown Howards Grove, WI, WI

Howards Grove, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Howards Grove, WI covers 64.1 miles and takes about 1h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 43, North-South Freeway, State Highway 42 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.1 miles on I 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.74 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

32.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 1h 21m highway drive covering 64.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 43 and North-South Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.1 miles on I 43.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and North-South Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 1h 21m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 43 / North-South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
4.3 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the ramp toward I 43 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 43 North
6
4.7 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 43 / North-South Freeway

Merge onto I 43 / North-South Freeway toward I 43 North: Green Bay

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 43 North: Green Bay
6
59.9 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward WI 42: Sheboygan, Howards Grove

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 128 Toward WI 42: Sheboygan, Howards Grove
5
60 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | WI 42

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
60.4 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | WI 42 / State Highway 42

Enter roundabout onto WI 42 / State Highway 42

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 43 35.1 mi 37m
North-South Freeway 20.1 mi 24m
State Highway 42 3.4 mi 5m
West State Street 3.2 mi 8m
West Highland Avenue 1.1 mi 2m
Madison Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
WI 42 0.1 mi <1m
College Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 43 — 35.1 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West State Street

3.2 mi · 8 min · West State Street
Use the straight lane.
2

Turn left onto WI 57

269 ft · 7 sec · North 27th Street
3

Turn right onto US 18; WI 57

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Highland Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 43 North Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 43

20 mi · 24 min · North-South Freeway
Toward I 43 North: Green Bay Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 43; WI 57

35 mi · 37 min · I 43; WI 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 128 Toward WI 42: Sheboygan, Howards Grove
8

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

197 ft · 3 sec · WI 42
9

Continue on WI 42

0.1 mi · 9 sec · WI 42
10

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

127 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 42
11

Continue on WI 42

0.2 mi · 20 sec · State Highway 42
12

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

168 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 42
13

Continue on WI 42

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 42
14

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

129 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 42
15

Continue on WI 42

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 42
16

Enter roundabout onto WI 42

109 ft · 1 sec · State Highway 42
17

Continue on WI 42

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Highway 42
18

Continue on WI 42

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Madison Avenue
19

Turn left onto CTH A

0.1 mi · 10 sec · College Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

CTH A

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 32.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.1 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 64.1 miles or 1h 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.1 miles or 44m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howards Grove, 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 64.1 miles and 1h 21m.

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 43 for about 35.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.1 mi from Wauwatosa, WI · 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

32 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

Waukegan, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Howards Grove, WI

The final approach into Howards Grove, 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 Howards Grove, 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

$9.74 one way

$19.47 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $10.73 $21.47
premium $4.80 $12.10 $24.20
diesel $5.64 $14.24 $28.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.2 0 $6.73 $3.08
Efficient EV 16 0 $5.61 $2.56
EV Truck/SUV 25.6 0 $8.97 $4.10

Gas CO2

22 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Wauwatosa, WI

Morning in Wauwatosa on Monday

Local time

6:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Howards Grove, WI

Morning in Howards Grove on Monday

Local time

6:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°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

2 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

1h 21m 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 Howards Grove, WI covers 64.1 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 43, North-South Freeway, State Highway 42. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.1 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 $9.74 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 straightforward 1h 21m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 43 / North-South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Wauwatosa, WI to Howards Grove, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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