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Trip from West Allis, WI to Silver Lake, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 24m

Distance

115.5 mi

186 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 30 min
4 AM
2h 15m ★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m

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
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city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA

West Allis, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Silver Lake, WI, WI

Silver Lake, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from West Allis, WI to Silver Lake, WI covers 115.5 miles and takes about 2h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 41, State Highway 21, Zoo Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.9 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.06 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

57.8 miles from West Allis, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 41 59.9 mi 1h 4m
State Highway 21 28.1 mi 39m
Zoo Freeway 20.4 mi 24m
East Main Street 2.2 mi 5m
Bannerman Avenue 1.6 mi 4m
West Greenfield Avenue 1.4 mi 3m
West River Drive 1 mi 1m
Omro Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 41 — 59.9 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

20 mi · 24 min · Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

60 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton Use the slight left lane.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 119 Toward WI 21 Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

267 ft · 6 sec
8

Enter roundabout onto WI 21

249 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 21
9

Continue on WI 21

307 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 21
10

Enter roundabout onto WI 21

124 ft · 3 sec · Omro Road
11

Continue on WI 21

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Omro Road
12

Enter roundabout onto WI 21

131 ft · 7 sec · State Highway 21
13

Continue on WI 21

6.0 mi · 8 min · State Highway 21
14

Continue on WI 21

2.2 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
15

Turn right onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Spruce State Route
16

Turn left onto WI 21

1.0 mi · 1 min · West River Drive
17

Continue on WI 21

16 mi · 22 min · State Highway 21
18

Continue on WI 21

1.6 mi · 4 min · Bannerman Avenue
19

Continue on WI 21; CTH EE

5.8 mi · 8 min · State Highway 21
20

Arrive at destination

WI 21

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 57.8 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.8 miles or 1h 7m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Silver Lake, 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 115.5 miles and 2h 24m.

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 I 41 for about 59.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown North Fond du Lac, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Fond du Lac, WI

58 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

Addison, WI

Fuel and coffee

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

Fond du Lac, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.8 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Valentine Coffee Roasters on Vliet Street

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14149888018

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

2.2 mi

Valentine Coffee Roasters on Vliet Street

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14149888018

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 82.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
5
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
22.1 mi into trip | ~29m 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
7
82 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the exit toward WI 21

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 119 Toward WI 21
5
82.2 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.06 one way

$36.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.83 $39.65
premium $4.89 $22.23 $44.45
diesel $5.61 $25.50 $51.00

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: 40.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.7 0 $12.13 $5.54
Efficient EV 28.9 0 $10.11 $4.62
EV Truck/SUV 46.2 0 $16.17 $7.39

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (65% 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 17, 2026

Origin

West Allis, WI

Afternoon in West Allis on Saturday

Local time

3:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Widespread Fog

SE 0 to 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Watch

Flash Flood Watch issued April 16 at 11:57PM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 16 at 11:57PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Destination

Silver Lake, WI

Afternoon in Silver Lake on Saturday

Local time

3:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 24m 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.

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 115.5
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

115.5 mi in 2h 24m, mostly highway — 59.9 mi of that is on I 41.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.9 mi on I 41.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 21. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 (I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Silver Lake, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.

Appleton

22.1 mi in | ~29m | via I 41; US 41

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 115.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.9 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Silver Lake, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 (I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Silver Lake, WI before heading back.

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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