How far is Milwaukee, WI from Rice Lake, WI?
The driving distance from Milwaukee, WI to Rice Lake, WI is about 300.5 miles (483.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 254.9 miles (410.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 01m 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 30m.
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 Juneau County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Milwaukee and Rice Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milwaukee and Rice Lake.
-
1
Start on North Milwaukee Street
14 m · 9 sec · North Milwaukee Street
-
2
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Avenue
671 ft · 25 sec · East Wisconsin Avenue
-
3
Turn right onto North Jackson Street
894 ft · 29 sec · North Jackson Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 794 West
1550 ft · 28 sec
-
5
Merge slight right onto East-West Freeway
1269 ft · 22 sec · East-West Freeway
-
6
Continue on East-West Freeway
17.1 mi · 22 min · East-West Freeway
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
-
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
-
9
Keep slight left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
1027 ft · 19 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
2757 ft · 36 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
58 mi · 1 hr 4 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward WI 48: Rice Lake, Cumberland
1912 ft · 46 sec
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Knapp Avenue
7 m · 1 sec · Knapp Avenue
-
16
Exit the roundabout onto Knapp Avenue
1499 ft · 30 sec · Knapp Avenue
-
17
Turn straight onto West Knapp Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Knapp Street
-
18
Turn right onto Tainter Avenue
987 ft · 49 sec · Tainter Avenue
-
19
Turn left onto West Evans Street
42 m · 6 sec · West Evans Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Evans Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Milwaukee and Rice 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.
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 Sunny leaving Milwaukee and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rice Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Milwaukee to Rice Lake?
The road trip is about 300.5 miles (483.6 km) and usually takes 05h 30m 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?
New Lisbon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.1 miles from Milwaukee and 150.4 miles from Rice Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 254.9 miles (410.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.6 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 5:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.97 one way or $79.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Milwaukee and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Rice Lake.
Stop Ideas Near New Lisbon
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 New Lisbon.
Tomah
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Milwaukee and Rice Lake. Straight-line distance: 254.89 mi (410.2 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 Rice Lake
City in Barron County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 3,078 |
| Coordinates | 45.5060700, -91.7382300 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rice Lake (-91.73823, 45.50607)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 484 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.97 | $79.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.08 | $90.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.33 | $98.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.22 | $112.44 |
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.