How far is Milwaukee, WI from Balsam Lake, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Balsam Lake, WI is about 329.5 miles (530.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 280.1 miles (450.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 17m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Balsam Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Balsam Lake.
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1
Start on North Milwaukee Street
14 m · 9 sec · North Milwaukee Street
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2
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue
671 ft · 25 sec · East Wisconsin Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
894 ft · 29 sec · North Jackson Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 794 West
1550 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight right onto East-West Freeway
1269 ft · 22 sec · East-West Freeway
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6
Continue on East-West Freeway
17.1 mi · 22 min · East-West Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
29.1 mi · 31 min
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9
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
1027 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
2757 ft · 36 sec
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13
Merge slight left
50 mi · 55 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 8: Barron, Cameron
1931 ft · 47 sec
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15
Keep slight left
79 m · 14 sec
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16
Turn left
3.7 mi · 5 min
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17
Continue on East Division Avenue
2 mi · 5 min · East Division Avenue
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18
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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19
Continue on 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
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20
Continue on 14th Avenue
9 mi · 13 min · 14th Avenue
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue
40 m · 7 sec · 14th Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto 14th Avenue
2825 ft · 1 min · 14th Avenue
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
31 m · 6 sec
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24
Exit the roundabout
10 mi · 14 min
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
38 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue
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26
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue
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27
Turn right onto 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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28
Continue on West Main Street
2548 ft · 56 sec · West Main Street
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29
Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 18 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Balsam Lake.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 94 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Milwaukee and Partly Sunny near Balsam Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Balsam Lake?
The road trip is about 329.5 miles (530.2 km) and usually takes 06h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tomah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.5 miles from Milwaukee and 165 miles from Balsam Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 280.1 miles (450.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.4 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.86 one way or $87.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Milwaukee and Partly Sunny near Balsam Lake.
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 Milwaukee and Balsam Lake. Straight-line distance: 280.06 mi (450.72 km).
#1 Milwaukee
The thirtieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
| Population | 589,067 |
| Coordinates | 43.0389000, -87.9064700 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
End: Balsam Lake (-92.45464, 45.45218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 530 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.86 | $87.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.46 | $98.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.13 | $108.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.69 | $123.37 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.