Origin
West Allis, WI
Late night in West Allis on Monday
Local time
2:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Allis, WI to Red Cedar, WI
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
264.5 mi
426 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Allis, WI
Tom Fisk
Red Cedar, WI
Tony Litvyak
Trip Overview
The drive from West Allis, WI to Red Cedar, WI covers 264.5 miles and takes about 4h 59m 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 $40.17 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
132.3 miles from West Allis, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 59m drive with frequent turns across 264.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 894 West is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Allis, WI to Red Cedar, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| 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 |
| WI 37 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 37 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 894 West
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Allis, WI and Red Cedar, WI.
1
Start on West Greenfield Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Greenfield Avenue
2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 894 West, US 45 North
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 894 West, US 45 North
3
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 94: Madison, Milwaukee
4
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
20 ft
·
Zoo Freeway
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 94 West: Madison
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
I 94 West: Madison
8
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
9
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
11
Keep slight left
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
82 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
13
Take the exit slight right toward WI 37: Eau Claire, Mondovi
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
WI 37: Eau Claire, Mondovi
14
Turn left onto State Highway 37
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 37
15
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
16
Turn straight onto State Highway 85
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 85
17
Continue on County Road H
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road H
18
Turn straight onto State Highway 85
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 85
19
Turn right onto County Road MM
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road MM
20
Continue on 10th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
10th Avenue
21
Turn right onto 50th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
50th Avenue
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 132.3 miles from West Allis, WI, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.3 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Cedar, 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 264.5 miles and 4h 59m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.3 mi from West Allis, WI · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.3 miles from West Allis, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Red Cedar, WI
The final approach into Red Cedar, 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 Red Cedar, 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
$40.17 one way
$80.35 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.29 | $88.58 |
| premium | $4.80 | $49.93 | $99.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.76 | $117.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.77 | $12.70 |
| Efficient EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.14 | $10.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.8 | 1 | $37.03 | $16.93 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Red Cedar, WI
Late night in Red Cedar on Monday
Local time
2:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
3 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
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Red Cedar, WI covers 264.5 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 894 West, I 94, Zoo Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.3 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 $40.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Allis, WI to Red Cedar, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from West Allis, WI to Red Cedar, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Red Cedar, WI
Explore more options from West Allis, WI or browse trips ending in Red Cedar, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.
Explore maps for West Allis, WI or Red Cedar, WI on MapSof.net.