How far is Altoona, WI from Milwaukee, WI?

The driving distance from Altoona, WI to Milwaukee, WI is about 244.9 miles (394.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 214.1 miles (344.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
244.96 mi
03h 37m
Flight
214.13 mi
344.61 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Altoona.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
214.13 mi
Kilometers
344.61 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
244.96 mi
Kilometers
394.22 km
Drive Time
03h 37m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Milwaukee
Sat, May 2, 5:13 AM CDT
Return by in Altoona
Sat, May 2, 8:51 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Altoona
2026-05-02T01:36
Arrive Milwaukee
Sat, May 2, 5:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:46 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Altoona
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Wisconsin Dells
WI

City in Wisconsin, United States

From Altoona
122.3 mi
01h 48m
To Milwaukee
122.7 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Saturday

Widespread Frost then Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph WNW
Destination
55°F
Saturday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Milwaukee.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Milwaukee.

  1. 1

    Start on Garfield Avenue

    682 ft · 35 sec · Garfield Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 9th Street West

    104 m · 17 sec · 9th Street West

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Bartlett Avenue

    159 m · 28 sec · Bartlett Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 10th Street West

    2684 ft · 1 min · 10th Street West

  5. 5

    Turn right

    2177 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left

    1130 ft · 28 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    907 ft · 22 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto US 53 South: Brackett

    1257 ft · 21 sec

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route

    115 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout

    135 m · 9 sec

  12. 12

    Take the ramp right

    2643 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    167.8 mi · 3 hr

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee

    70.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · East-West Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight left toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street

    1312 ft · 25 sec

  17. 17

    Turn slight right onto Jackson Street South

    94 m · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue

    671 ft · 24 sec · East Saint Paul Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto North Milwaukee Street

    1381 ft · 47 sec · North Milwaukee Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Milwaukee Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Milwaukee.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 53 South
169 mi · 69%
I 94
70.7 mi · 29%
10th Street West
3.21 mi · 1%
East-West Freeway
0.96 mi
North Milwaukee Street
0.26 mi
Jackson Street
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

US 53 South

Merge slight left

168 mi · 03h 00m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
214.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wisconsin Dells
01h 48m from Altoona
Leave By
9:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Sunny leaving Altoona and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Milwaukee.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Milwaukee?

The road trip is about 244.9 miles (394.2 km) and usually takes 03h 37m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Wisconsin Dells is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.3 miles from Altoona and 122.7 miles from Milwaukee.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 214.1 miles (344.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.58 one way or $65.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Sunny around Altoona and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Milwaukee.

Stop Ideas Near Wisconsin Dells

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wisconsin Dells, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wisconsin Dells.

RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

Superior and La Crosse Sts.
RAIL

Portage

26 mi away
400 West Oneida Street
BUS

Westfield, WI

37 mi away
244 North Pioneer Park Road
BUS

Madison, Wisconsin

68 mi away
800 Langdon St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Milwaukee. Straight-line distance: 214.13 mi (344.61 km).

Altoona

#1 Altoona

City in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin

Population8,062
Coordinates44.8046800, -91.4432100
Altitude273
CountryUnited States
Milwaukee

#2 Milwaukee

The thirtieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Population589,067
Coordinates43.0389000, -87.9064700
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Start: Garfield Avenue (-91.443207, 44.804555)
End: North Milwaukee Street (-87.906566, 43.038895)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 394 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.64 gal
32.72 L · about $32.58
Round trip
$65.16
17.28 gal · 65.44 L
Estimated CO2
76.8 kg one way
Round trip: 153.6 kg / 339 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.58 $65.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.75 $73.49
Premium $4.65 $40.21 $80.42
Diesel $5.30 $45.83 $91.65

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Wisconsin · May 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Altoona and Milwaukee. The current time is 01:36:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.