How far is Wausau, WI from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance from Wausau, WI to Milwaukee, WI is about 189.3 miles (304.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158 miles (254.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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 58m.
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 Winnebago County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wausau and Milwaukee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wausau and Milwaukee.
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1
Start on the route
24 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn straight onto North 1st Street
560 ft · 26 sec · North 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto Scott Street
1281 ft · 44 sec · Scott Street
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4
Continue on East Stewart Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · East Stewart Avenue
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5
Continue on Highway 52 Parkway
2437 ft · 1 min · Highway 52 Parkway
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6
Turn left
2174 ft · 55 sec
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7
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
22.5 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue straight
7.4 mi · 8 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
2035 ft · 58 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
50.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 45 South: Oshkosh
12.3 mi · 14 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
1.1 mi · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
80.8 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
1381 ft · 34 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
1.1 km · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left
1576 ft · 38 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
4.7 mi · 7 min · East-West Freeway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · East-West Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight left toward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
1312 ft · 25 sec
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21
Turn slight right onto Jackson Street South
94 m · 15 sec
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22
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
671 ft · 24 sec · East Saint Paul Avenue
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23
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Street
1381 ft · 47 sec · North Milwaukee Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Milwaukee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wausau and Milwaukee.
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 41 South
Merge slight left
80.8 mi · 01h 29m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wausau and Mostly Sunny near Milwaukee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wausau to Milwaukee?
The road trip is about 189.3 miles (304.6 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Winneconne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.5 miles from Wausau and 94.8 miles from Milwaukee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158 miles (254.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.19 one way or $50.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wausau and Mostly Sunny near Milwaukee.
Stop Ideas Near Winneconne
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 Winneconne.
Oshkosh, WI
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Appleton, Wisconsin
Waupaca, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wausau and Milwaukee. Straight-line distance: 157.92 mi (254.15 km).
#1 Wausau
City in and county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin
| Population | 2,157 |
| Coordinates | 44.9591400, -89.6301200 |
| Altitude | 367 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: North Milwaukee Street (-87.906566, 43.038895)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 305 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.19 | $50.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.41 | $56.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.09 | $62.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.43 | $70.86 |
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.