Origin
West Allis, WI
Evening in West Allis on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Allis, WI to Dunkirk, WI
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
78.5 mi
126 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Allis, WI
Tom Fisk
Dunkirk, WI
Jan van der Wolf
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Wisconsin Midwest, this 78.5-mile journey from West Allis to Dunkirk is an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 36 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable drive that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $12, it is an economical choice for travelers looking to move between these two locations efficiently. Because the entire route remains within the state of Wisconsin, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. This trip is best suited for those who prioritize a straightforward, highway-focused path over complex navigation. It is a practical route for anyone wanting to get from point A to point B without unnecessary complications or lengthy travel times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.2 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a highway-focused profile, with approximately 76% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start by tackling the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey, covering 59.5 miles directly on the East-West Freeway. As you transition off the freeway, your route shifts onto County Highway N and County Road N to complete the final leg of the trip. While the initial portion offers the fast-paced, high-speed experience typical of a major freeway, the latter segments provide a shift toward standard county road driving. You should prepare for a drive that prioritizes speed and directness, moving from heavy-traffic freeway segments into the more relaxed, steady pace of county infrastructure.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 59.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and County Highway N. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 78.5 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 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
7
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 94 West: Madison
8
62.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 244
Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Towns Along This Route
Between West Allis, WI and Dunkirk, WI, road signs point toward Cth N: Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove.
Cth N: Sun Prairie
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Cottage Grove
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 59.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| County Highway N | 10 mi | 14m |
| County Road N | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| North Main Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West Greenfield Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Veterans Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Zoo Freeway | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Dunkirk, WI.
1
Start on WI 59
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Greenfield Avenue
Use the none 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
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
49 mi
·
52 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 244
Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
200 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Highway N
12
Continue on CTH N
511 ft
·
8 sec
·
County Highway N
13
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
90 ft
·
1 sec
·
County Highway N
14
Continue on CTH N
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway N
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on CTH N
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
16
Continue on CTH N
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
County Highway N
17
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
188 ft
·
4 sec
·
County Highway N
18
Continue on CTH N
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
County Highway N
19
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
160 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Highway N
20
Continue on CTH N
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
County Highway N
21
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
138 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Highway N
22
Continue on CTH N
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
County Highway N
23
Continue on CTH B; CTH N
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road N
24
Continue on CTH N
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Highway N
25
Continue on CTH N; CTH A
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Road
26
Continue on CTH N
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road N
27
Arrive at destination
CTH N
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 36-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 78.5-mile distance without needing to plan for formal stops, though keeping a small buffer for traffic on the East-West Freeway is always a smart move. Because the trip is short and fuel costs are low at roughly $12, try to fuel up before leaving West Allis to avoid unnecessary searching once you arrive in Dunkirk. Watch your speed closely as you transition from the high-speed freeway onto the lower-speed County Highway N and County Road N. This route’s simplicity is its greatest advantage, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without the stress of a complicated itinerary.
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 39.2 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 78.5 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.2 miles or 45m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunkirk, 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 78.5 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Allis, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 59.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.2 mi from West Allis, WI · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 78.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.2 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dunkirk, WI
The final approach into Dunkirk, 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 Dunkirk, 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
$11.92 one way
$23.85 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.14 | $26.29 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.82 | $29.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.44 | $34.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.24 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.99 | $5.02 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Dunkirk, WI
Evening in Dunkirk on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 36m 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 Dunkirk, WI covers 78.5 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East-West Freeway, County Highway N, County Road N. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.2 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 $11.92 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 16 significant decision points across 78.5 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.
Between West Allis, WI and Dunkirk, WI, road signs point toward Cth N: Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove.
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