How far is Buena Vista, WI from Wauwatosa, WI?
The driving distance from Buena Vista, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 36m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Dane County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buena Vista and Wauwatosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista and Wauwatosa.
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1
Start on the route
1.9 mi · 3 min
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2
Turn left onto County Road O
6.9 mi · 12 min · County Road O
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3
Keep slight left to continue on County Road O
3.5 mi · 6 min · County Road O
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4
Turn left onto US Highway 151
32 mi · 37 min · US Highway 151
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5
Continue on US Highway 18 and 151
37.4 mi · 44 min · US Highway 18 and 151
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East, US 14 East, US 18 East, US 151 North
2419 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto West Beltline Highway
8.8 mi · 12 min · West Beltline Highway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
1.3 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
3.1 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
1805 ft · 22 sec
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11
Merge slight left
969 ft · 12 sec
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12
Merge slight left
63.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
1.3 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
2848 ft · 44 sec · Zoo Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Watertown Plank Road
852 ft · 21 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Watertown Plank Road East
719 ft · 25 sec
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18
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Watertown Plank Road
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19
Continue on Harwood Avenue
1576 ft · 52 sec · Harwood Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue
822 ft · 32 sec · Harmonee Avenue
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21
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
152 m · 21 sec · West Menomonee River Parkway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buena Vista and Wauwatosa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 94 East
Merge slight left
63.3 mi · 01h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost leaving Buena Vista and Showers And Thunderstorms near Wauwatosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buena Vista to Wauwatosa?
The road trip is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km) and usually takes 02h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Shorewood Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Buena Vista and 81.2 miles from Wauwatosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.57 one way or $43.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost around Buena Vista and Showers And Thunderstorms near Wauwatosa.
Stop Ideas Near Shorewood Hills
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 Shorewood Hills.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Columbus
Portage
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buena Vista and Wauwatosa. Straight-line distance: 137.67 mi (221.56 km).
#1 Buena Vista
Unincorporated community in the Town of Delafield, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,820 |
| Coordinates | 42.7133300, -90.6879000 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| 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: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.57 | $43.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.33 | $48.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.62 | $53.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.34 | $60.68 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.