How far is Waukesha, WI from Wauwatosa, WI?
The driving distance from Waukesha, WI to Wauwatosa, WI is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.6 miles (18.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 20m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukesha and Wauwatosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukesha and Wauwatosa.
-
1
Start on West Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
-
2
Turn slight left
124 m · 17 sec
-
3
Turn left onto Les Paul Parkway
1704 ft · 33 sec · Les Paul Parkway
-
4
Turn right onto East Moreland Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Moreland Boulevard
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East
1.1 km · 2 min
-
6
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
5.6 mi · 7 min · East-West Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
1.3 km · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
2848 ft · 44 sec · Zoo Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Watertown Plank Road
852 ft · 21 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Watertown Plank Road East
719 ft · 25 sec
-
12
Turn straight onto West Watertown Plank Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Watertown Plank Road
-
13
Continue on Harwood Avenue
1576 ft · 52 sec · Harwood Avenue
-
14
Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue
822 ft · 32 sec · Harmonee Avenue
-
15
Turn right onto West Menomonee River Parkway
152 m · 21 sec · West Menomonee River Parkway
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukesha and Wauwatosa.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East-West Freeway
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
5.64 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukesha and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Wauwatosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukesha to Wauwatosa?
The road trip is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km) and usually takes 00h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Elm Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.7 miles from Waukesha and 8.1 miles from Wauwatosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.6 miles (18.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.00 one way or $4.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukesha and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Wauwatosa.
Stop Ideas Near Elm Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Milwaukee City Hall
West Allis City Hall
City Hall Square Apartments
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Elm Grove.
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Sturtevant station
Beaver Dam, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukesha and Wauwatosa. Straight-line distance: 11.61 mi (18.68 km).
#1 Waukesha
City in and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 8,939 |
| Coordinates | 43.0116800, -88.2314800 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| 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: 24 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.25 | $4.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.47 | $4.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.81 | $5.62 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.