Origin
West Allis, WI
Afternoon in West Allis on Thursday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Allis, WI to Alma, WI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
253.4 mi
408 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Allis, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Alma, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from West Allis, WI to Alma, WI covers 253.4 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 894 West, I 94, Zoo Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.62 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
126.7 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 253.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 48m drive with frequent turns across 253.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 894 West is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 48m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Allis, WI to Alma, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 894 West | — | — |
| I 94 | — | — |
| Zoo Freeway | — | — |
| I 94 West | — | — |
| East-West Freeway | — | — |
| I 39 North | — | — |
| I 90 West | — | — |
| US 14 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 894 West
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Alma, WI.
1
Start on West Greenfield Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Greenfield Avenue
2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 894 West, US 45 North
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 894 West, US 45 North
3
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
4
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
20 ft
·
Zoo Freeway
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 94 West: Madison
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
I 94 West: Madison
8
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
9
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
11
Keep slight left
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
13
Keep slight right to continue on US 14, US 61: Winona
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 14, US 61: Winona
14
Continue straight
1.7 mi
·
1 min
15
Continue straight
13 mi
·
15 min
16
Continue straight
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 14;US 61
144 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 14;US 61
18
Exit the rotary onto US 14;US 61
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 14;US 61
19
Turn right onto Huff Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Huff Street
20
Turn right onto West 4th Street
371 ft
·
15 sec
·
West 4th Street
21
Turn left onto Minnesota Highway 43
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Minnesota Highway 43
22
Continue on State Road 54
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road 54
23
Turn left onto State Road 35
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
State Road 35
24
Continue on South Main Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
25
Turn straight onto North Shore Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Shore Drive
26
Continue on State Road 35
15 mi
·
21 min
·
State Road 35
27
Continue on South Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
28
Arrive at your destination
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 126.7 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 24m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alma, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Allis, 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 West Allis, WI
This is one driving day of about 253.4 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from West Allis, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.7 mi from West Allis, WI · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.7 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alma, WI
The final approach into Alma, 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 Alma, 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
$39.62 one way
$79.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $43.50 | $86.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $48.76 | $97.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.95 | $111.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76 | 0 | $26.61 | $12.16 |
| Efficient EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.17 | $10.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.4 | 1 | $35.48 | $16.22 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Alma, WI
Afternoon in Alma on Thursday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Adams, WI
127 mi in
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
21 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
4h 48m 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 West Allis, WI to Alma, WI covers 253.4 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 894 West, I 94, Zoo Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.7 miles from West Allis, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.62 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.
This is a straightforward 4h 48m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Allis, WI to Alma, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from West Allis, WI to Alma, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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