How far is Madison, WI from Wauwatosa, WI?
The driving distance from Madison, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 70.4 miles (113.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 34m 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 01h 17m.
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.
Town in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Wauwatosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Wauwatosa.
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1
Start on University Avenue
97 m · 18 sec · University Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Brooks Street
132 m · 26 sec · North Brooks Street
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3
Turn left onto West Johnson Street
2.2 mi · 7 min · West Johnson Street
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4
Turn right onto North Baldwin Street
1058 ft · 40 sec · North Baldwin Street
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5
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Washington Avenue
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward WI 30 East
1304 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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8
Merge slight left
63.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
1.3 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
2848 ft · 44 sec · Zoo Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Watertown Plank Road
852 ft · 21 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Watertown Plank Road East
719 ft · 25 sec
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14
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Watertown Plank Road
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15
Continue on Harwood Avenue
1576 ft · 52 sec · Harwood Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue
822 ft · 32 sec · Harmonee Avenue
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17
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
152 m · 21 sec · West Menomonee River Parkway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Wauwatosa.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
WI 30 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.
Sunny leaving Madison and Sunny near Wauwatosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Wauwatosa?
The road trip is about 79.8 miles (128.4 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?
Farmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.3 miles from Madison and 42.5 miles from Wauwatosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 70.4 miles (113.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 3:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.60 one way or $21.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Madison and Sunny near Wauwatosa.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington
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 Farmington.
Columbus
Beaver Dam, WI
Janesville, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Wauwatosa. Straight-line distance: 70.37 mi (113.25 km).
#1 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| 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: 128 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.60 | $21.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.95 | $23.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.08 | $26.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.90 | $29.81 |
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.