How far is Wauwatosa, WI from Buena Vista, WI?
The driving distance from Wauwatosa, WI to Buena Vista, WI is about 162 miles (260.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m 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 03h 17m.
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.
Village in Dane County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wauwatosa and Buena Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wauwatosa and Buena Vista.
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1
Start on West State Street
42 m · 6 sec · West State Street
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2
Continue on West Menomonee River Parkway
110 m · 22 sec · West Menomonee River Parkway
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3
Turn left onto Harmonee Avenue
876 ft · 30 sec · Harmonee Avenue
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4
Turn slight right onto Harwood Avenue
158 m · 16 sec · Harwood Avenue
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5
Turn left onto North Glenview Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · North Glenview Avenue
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6
Continue on South 84th Street
1146 ft · 35 sec · South 84th Street
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 West
988 ft · 26 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Madison
1.2 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
10.8 mi · 13 min · East-West Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
1264 ft · 15 sec
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
1377 ft · 23 sec
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13
Merge slight right
3.2 mi · 3 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
1.4 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto South Beltline Highway
8.2 mi · 11 min · South Beltline Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
69.9 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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17
Turn right onto County Road O
3.4 mi · 6 min · County Road O
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18
Continue on County Road O
7 mi · 12 min · County Road O
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19
Turn right onto Great River Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Great River Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wauwatosa and Buena Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 18 West
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 West, US 151 South: Dodgeville
69.9 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wauwatosa and Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost near Buena Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wauwatosa to Buena Vista?
The road trip is about 162 miles (260.7 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Shorewood Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.8 miles from Wauwatosa and 81.2 miles from Buena Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.7 miles (221.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.57 one way or $43.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Wauwatosa and Mostly Clear then Widespread Frost near Buena Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Shorewood Hills
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 Shorewood Hills.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison (South), Wisconsin
Columbus
Portage
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wauwatosa and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 137.67 mi (221.56 km).
#1 Wauwatosa
A city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 48,084 |
| Coordinates | 43.0494600, -88.0075900 |
| Altitude | 203 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buena Vista
Unincorporated community in the Town of Delafield, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,820 |
| Coordinates | 42.7133300, -90.6879000 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buena Vista (-90.6879, 42.71333)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.57 | $43.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.33 | $48.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.62 | $53.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.34 | $60.68 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.