How far is Wauwatosa, WI from Appleton, WI?

The driving distance from Wauwatosa, WI to Appleton, WI is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.2 miles (138.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
100.22 mi
01h 55m
Flight
86.22 mi
138.75 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wauwatosa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.22 mi
Kilometers
138.75 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
100.22 mi
Kilometers
161.29 km
Drive Time
01h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Appleton
Wed, Apr 15, 8:46 PM CDT
Return by in Wauwatosa
Wed, Apr 15, 10:41 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wauwatosa
2026-04-15T18:51
Arrive Appleton
Wed, Apr 15, 8:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:55 AM to 11:55 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wauwatosa
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Byron
WI

Civil town in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

From Wauwatosa
50.1 mi
00h 57m
To Appleton
50.1 mi
00h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
61°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 10:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wauwatosa and Appleton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa and Appleton.

  1. 1

    Start on West State Street

    42 m · 6 sec · West State Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Menomonee River Parkway

    110 m · 22 sec · West Menomonee River Parkway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue

    876 ft · 30 sec · Harmonee Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto Harwood Avenue

    1462 ft · 39 sec · Harwood Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on West Watertown Plank Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Watertown Plank Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 41 South, US 45 South: Milwaukee, Beloit, Madison, Appleton

    758 ft · 18 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 41, US 45 North: Fond du Lac

    2562 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway

    18.2 mi · 22 min · Zoo Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

    74.4 mi · 1 hr 20 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10, WI 441 North: Stevens Point

    1578 ft · 19 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10 East, WI 441 North

    2662 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge

    2608 ft · 34 sec · Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge

  13. 13

    Continue on Tri-County Expressway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Tri-County Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 47

    1046 ft · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    137 m · 11 sec

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Appleton Road

    78 m · 4 sec · Appleton Road

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Appleton Road

    107 m · 6 sec · Appleton Road

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Appleton Road

    36 m · 2 sec · Appleton Road

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Appleton Road

    895 ft · 17 sec · Appleton Road

  20. 20

    Continue on South Memorial Drive

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South Memorial Drive

  21. 21

    Turn straight

    82 m · 10 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto West College Avenue

    62 m · 34 sec · West College Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on West College Avenue

    79 m · 9 sec · West College Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West College Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wauwatosa and Appleton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 41 North
74.4 mi · 74%
Zoo Freeway
18.2 mi · 18%
South Memorial Drive
1.87 mi · 2%
Tri-County Expressway
1.76 mi · 2%
West Watertown Plank Road
0.89 mi · 1%
US 10 East
0.5 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 41 North

Keep slight left to continue on US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

74.4 mi · 01h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14 mi
86.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Byron
00h 57m from Wauwatosa
Leave By
2:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wauwatosa and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Appleton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wauwatosa to Appleton?

The road trip is about 100.2 miles (161.3 km) and usually takes 01h 55m 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?

Byron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.1 miles from Wauwatosa and 50.1 miles from Appleton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 86.2 miles (138.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 2:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.35 one way or $26.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Wauwatosa and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Appleton.

Stop Ideas Near Byron

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Byron, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Byron.

BUS

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

11 mi away
976 South Main St.
BUS

Waupun, WI

22 mi away
928 East Main Street
BUS

Beaver Dam, WI

37 mi away
817 Park Avenue
BUS

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

41 mi away
525 West 20th Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wauwatosa and Appleton. Straight-line distance: 86.22 mi (138.75 km).

Wauwatosa

#1 Wauwatosa

A city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Population48,084
Coordinates43.0494600, -88.0075900
Altitude203
CountryUnited States
Appleton

#2 Appleton

City in and county seat of Outagamie County, Wisconsin

Population1,681
Coordinates44.2619300, -88.4153800
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Start: Wauwatosa (-88.00759, 43.04946)
End: Appleton (-88.41538, 44.26193)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 161 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.54 gal
13.39 L · about $13.35
Round trip
$26.70
7.08 gal · 26.78 L
Estimated CO2
31.5 kg one way
Round trip: 62.9 kg / 139 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.35 $26.70
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.06 $30.11
Premium $4.65 $16.48 $32.95
Diesel $5.30 $18.78 $37.55

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

There is no time difference between Wauwatosa and Appleton. The current time is 18:51:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.