How far is Balsam Lake, WI from Wauwatosa, WI?
The driving distance from Balsam Lake, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is about 325.2 miles (523.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 275.6 miles (443.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Balsam Lake and Wauwatosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balsam Lake and Wauwatosa.
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1
Start on Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 20 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
2548 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
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3
Continue on 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
39 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · East 130th Avenue
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7
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 12 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
41 m · 8 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
2780 ft · 1 min
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue
37 m · 7 sec · 14th Avenue
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11
Exit the rotary onto 14th Avenue
9 mi · 13 min · 14th Avenue
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12
Continue on 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
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13
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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14
Continue on West Division Avenue
2 mi · 5 min · West Division Avenue
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15
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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16
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right
50.3 mi · 56 min
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18
Turn straight onto US 53 South: Brackett
1257 ft · 21 sec
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route
115 m · 6 sec
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20
Exit the roundabout
135 m · 9 sec
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21
Take the ramp right
2643 ft · 1 min
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22
Merge slight left
167.8 mi · 3 hr
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
64.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
1.3 km · 1 min
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26
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
2848 ft · 44 sec · Zoo Freeway
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Watertown Plank Road
852 ft · 21 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on Watertown Plank Road East
719 ft · 25 sec
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29
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Watertown Plank Road
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30
Continue on Harwood Avenue
1576 ft · 52 sec · Harwood Avenue
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31
Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue
822 ft · 32 sec · Harmonee Avenue
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32
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
152 m · 21 sec · West Menomonee River Parkway
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Balsam Lake and Wauwatosa.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Balsam Lake and Mostly Sunny near Wauwatosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Balsam Lake to Wauwatosa?
The road trip is about 325.2 miles (523.4 km) and usually takes 05h 06m 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?
Tomah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.4 miles from Balsam Lake and 162.8 miles from Wauwatosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 275.6 miles (443.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.6 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 6:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.29 one way or $86.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Balsam Lake and Mostly Sunny near Wauwatosa.
Stop Ideas Near Tomah
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tomah.
Tomah
La Crosse
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Wisconsin Dells
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Balsam Lake and Wauwatosa. Straight-line distance: 275.61 mi (443.55 km).
#1 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wauwatosa
A city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 48,084 |
| Coordinates | 43.0494600, -88.0075900 |
| Altitude | 203 |
| Country | United States |
End: West State Street (-88.007649, 43.049316)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 523 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.29 | $86.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.82 | $97.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.43 | $106.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.89 | $121.78 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.