Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Marion, WI

Drive Time

2h 44m

Distance

134.3 mi

216 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 34m ★

6 AM

2h 44m

8 AM

3h 6m

10 AM

2h 52m

12 PM

2h 50m

3 PM

2h 53m

5 PM

3h 5m

8 PM

2h 38m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Wauwatosa, WI

Tom Fisk

Marion, WI

Joanna Bogacz

Trip Overview

The drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Marion, WI covers 134.3 miles and takes about 2h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 41, US Highway 45, Zoo Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.6 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.40 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

67.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 44m highway drive covering 134.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 41 and US Highway 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 41.

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

There are about 19 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 61.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,081 ft 662 ft

Total Climb

750 ft

Total Descent

556 ft

Highest Point

1,081 ft

~28 mi in

Elevation Range

420 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 45. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 134.3 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 14 key points

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

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

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 straight / slight right lanes. Toward Appleton, Green Bay

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

81.8 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard

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. Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard

98 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | US 45

Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 North: New London

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 273 Toward US 45 North: New London

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Marion, 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	61.6 mi	1h 6m
US Highway 45	23.8 mi	33m
Zoo Freeway	18.2 mi	21m
US 45	18.1 mi	21m
West Madison Street	7.9 mi	12m
West Watertown Plank Road	0.9 mi	2m
North Main Street	0.8 mi	1m
South Main Street	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 41 — 61.6 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa, WI and Marion, 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

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Harwood Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on West Watertown Plank Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Watertown Plank Road

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 41 South, US 45 South: Milwaukee, Beloit, Madison, Appleton Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45

18 mi · 21 min · Zoo Freeway

Toward Appleton, Green Bay Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 41; US 41

Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 58 sec

Toward US 45 North: New London Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto US 45

15 mi · 17 min · US 45

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 45

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 45

Exit 273 Toward US 45 North: New London Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto US 45

125 ft · 7 sec · US Highway 45

Toward US 45 North: New London

Continue on US 45

24 mi · 32 min · US Highway 45

Toward US 45 North: New London Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Turn left onto US 45

7.9 mi · 12 min · West Madison Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto WI 110

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

WI 110

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 67.1 miles from Wauwatosa, WI, or about 1h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 67.1 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, 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 134.3 miles and 2h 44m.

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 41 for about 61.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.1 mi from Wauwatosa, WI · 1h 17m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

67 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.1 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 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.

Arriving in Marion, WI

The final approach into Marion, 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 Marion, 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

$20.40 one way

$40.80 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$22.49	$44.97
premium	$4.80	$25.35	$50.71
diesel	$5.64	$29.84	$59.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	40.3	$14.10	$6.45
Efficient EV	33.6	$11.75	$5.37
EV Truck/SUV	53.7	$18.80	$8.60

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast data refreshed 19 hours ago

Origin

Wauwatosa, WI

Afternoon in Wauwatosa on Sunday

Local time

3:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 5 to 10 mph 65% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Destination

Marion, WI

Afternoon in Marion on Sunday

Local time

3:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

42°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 7 to 10 mph 96% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

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

2h 44m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Marion, WI covers 134.3 miles and takes about 2h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 41, US Highway 45, Zoo 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 67.1 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 $20.40 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Wauwatosa, WI to Marion, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 662 ft to 1,081 ft elevation with about 750 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Marion, WI to Wauwatosa, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

134.6 mi 2h 44m

Explore more options from Wauwatosa, WI or browse trips ending in Marion, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.

Explore maps for Wauwatosa, WI or Marion, WI on MapSof.net.

Trip from Wauwatosa, WI to Marion, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

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 Marion, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Wauwatosa, WI

Marion, WI

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 44m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Marion, WI

More from Wauwatosa, WI

More trips to Marion, WI