Drive Time
6h 11m
Distance
324.4 mi
522 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
The drive from West Allis, WI to Balsam Lake, WI covers 324.4 miles and takes about 6h 11m 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 $49.27 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
162.2 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 11m drive with frequent turns across 324.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 11m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Allis, WI to Balsam Lake, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 894 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Zoo Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East-West Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 39 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 53 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 53 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Balsam Lake, WI.
Start on West Greenfield Avenue
Take the ramp slight right toward I 894 West, US 45 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Keep slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 8: Barron, Cameron
Keep slight left
Turn left
Continue on East Division Avenue
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
Continue on 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
Continue on 14th Avenue
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue
Exit the roundabout onto 14th Avenue
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
Turn right onto 140th Street
Continue on West Main Street
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 162.2 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Balsam Lake, WI than in the middle of the route.
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 324.4 miles and 6h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.2 mi from West Allis, WI · 3h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
162 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 162.2 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Balsam Lake, 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 Balsam Lake, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.27 one way
$98.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.32 | $108.64 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.24 | $122.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.07 | $144.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.3 | 1 | $34.06 | $15.57 |
| Efficient EV | 81.1 | 0 | $28.38 | $12.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.8 | 1 | $45.42 | $20.76 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in West Allis on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Balsam Lake on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
44°F
Altoona, WI
162 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from West Allis, WI or browse trips ending in Balsam Lake, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for West Allis, WI or Balsam Lake, WI on MapSof.net.
