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Trip from West Allis, WI to Lake Delton, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 10m

Distance

114.6 mi

184 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 1m ★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m

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

city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA

West Allis, WI

Wikimedia Commons

village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

Lake Delton, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from West Allis, WI to Lake Delton, WI covers 114.6 miles and takes about 2h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on East-West Freeway, I 94, I 90 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.8 miles on East-West Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.92 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.

Midpoint

57.3 miles from West Allis, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 114.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 10m highway drive covering 114.6 miles, with most of the trip on East-West Freeway and I 94. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.8 miles on East-West Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East-West Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 63.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 114.6 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 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

9
1.6 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94: Madison, Milwaukee

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
9
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1B-A Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 1B Toward I 94 West: Madison
6
12.9 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 94 / East-West Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
66.4 mi into trip | ~1h 15m 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...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from West Allis, WI to Lake Delton, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Eau Claire along the way.

Eau Claire

66.4 mi in | ~1h 15m | via I 94

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East-West Freeway 63.8 mi 1h 9m
I 94 29.1 mi 31m
I 90 16.1 mi 17m
Wisconsin Dells Parkway South 1.6 mi 3m
West Greenfield Avenue 1.4 mi 3m
US 12 0.8 mi 2m
West Lake Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Zoo Freeway <0.1 mi

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: East-West Freeway — 63.8 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Lake Delton, WI.

1

Start on WI 59

1.4 mi · 3 min · West Greenfield Avenue
Use the left lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 894 West, US 45 North
3

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 94: Madison, Milwaukee Use the slight left lane.
4

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45

19 ft · 0 sec · Zoo Freeway
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 1B-A Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 56 sec
Exit 1B Toward I 94 West: Madison Use the slight left lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
8

Merge onto I 94

10 mi · 11 min · East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

54 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

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.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

16 mi · 17 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 92 Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec
14

Turn straight onto US 12

1.6 mi · 3 min · Wisconsin Dells Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on US 12

0.8 mi · 2 min · US 12
16

Turn left onto West Lake Avenue

64 ft · 2 sec · West Lake Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

West Lake Avenue

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 57.3 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 25 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.3 miles or 1h 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 1h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Delton, 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 114.6 miles and 2h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from West Allis, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 63.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57.3 mi from West Allis, WI · 1h 5m into the drive

village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cottage Grove, WI

57 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

Oconomowoc, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cottage Grove, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.3 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 miles.

Arriving in Lake Delton, WI

The final approach into Lake Delton, 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 Lake Delton, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 114.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.92 one way

$35.83 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.67 $39.34
premium $4.89 $22.05 $44.11
diesel $5.61 $25.30 $50.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.4 0 $12.03 $5.50
Efficient EV 28.7 0 $10.03 $4.58
EV Truck/SUV 45.8 0 $16.04 $7.33

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

West Allis, WI

Afternoon in West Allis on Friday

Local time

12:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Delton, WI

Afternoon in Lake Delton on Friday

Local time

12:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Cottage Grove, WI

57 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

22 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

2h 10m 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 West Allis, WI to Lake Delton, WI covers 114.6 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

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

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 57.3 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 $17.92 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 demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 114.6 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.

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 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from West Allis, WI to Lake Delton, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Eau Claire along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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