Origin
West Allis, WI
Afternoon in West Allis on Friday
Local time
12:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Allis, WI to Sauk City, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
95.7 mi
154 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Allis, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Sauk City, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from West Allis, WI to Sauk City, WI covers 95.7 miles and takes about 1h 56m 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, US 12, I 94 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 $14.96 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
47.8 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 95.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 56m highway drive covering 95.7 miles, with most of the trip on East-West Freeway and US 12. 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 23 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 US 12. 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 95.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 16 key pointsThese 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
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...
8
73.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
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 131
Toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Allis, WI and Sauk City, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and Sun Prairie.
Eau Claire
66.4 mi in
|
~1h 15m
|
via I 94
Sun Prairie
73.4 mi in
|
~1h 22m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 63.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 12 | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| I 94 | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 19 | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| WI 19 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| West Greenfield Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
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 Sauk City, 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
6.9 mi
·
7 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
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 131
Toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
452 ft
·
13 sec
Toward WI 19 West: Waunakee
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on WI 19; CTH CV
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 19
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto WI 19
124 ft
·
7 sec
·
WI 19
15
Continue on WI 19
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
WI 19
16
Enter roundabout onto WI 113
123 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 19
17
Continue on WI 113
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 19
18
Continue on WI 19; WI 113
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 19
116 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Main Street
20
Continue on WI 19
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
21
Continue on WI 19
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 19
22
Turn right onto US 12; WI 19
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 12; WI 19
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
WI 60; WI 78; US 12 Business
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 47.8 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 55m 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.8 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sauk City, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from West Allis, WI
This is one driving day of about 95.7 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 47.8 mi from West Allis, WI · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.8 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 miles.
Arriving in Sauk City, WI
The final approach into Sauk City, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.96 one way
$29.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.43 | $32.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.42 | $36.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.13 | $42.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.05 | $4.59 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.37 | $3.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.12 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Sauk City, WI
Afternoon in Sauk City on Friday
Local time
12:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Cottage Grove, WI
48 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
2 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
1h 56m 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 Sauk City, WI covers 95.7 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East-West Freeway, US 12, I 94. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.8 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 $14.96 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 95.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Between West Allis, WI and Sauk City, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and Sun Prairie.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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