How far is West Allis, WI from Balsam Lake, WI?

The driving distance from West Allis, WI to Balsam Lake, WI is about 324.4 miles (522.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
324.41 mi
06h 11m
Flight
277.05 mi
445.87 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Allis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
277.05 mi
Kilometers
445.87 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
324.41 mi
Kilometers
522.09 km
Drive Time
06h 11m

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 06h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Balsam Lake
Wed, Apr 15, 9:25 AM CDT
Return by in West Allis
Wed, Apr 15, 3:36 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Allis
2026-04-15T03:13
Arrive Balsam Lake
Wed, Apr 15, 9:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
06h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
12:12 PM to 1:42 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
11:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Allis
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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
Tomah
WI

City in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States

From West Allis
162 mi
03h 05m
To Balsam Lake
162.4 mi
03h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE
Destination
58°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Allis and Balsam Lake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Allis and Balsam Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on West Greenfield Avenue

    1.4 mi · 4 min · West Greenfield Avenue

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 894 West, US 45 North

    907 ft · 24 sec

  3. 3

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Madison, Milwaukee

    751 ft · 18 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway

    6 m · 1 sec · Zoo Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee

    937 ft · 16 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    3267 ft · 56 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    665 ft · 11 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

    10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire

    29.1 mi · 31 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul

    76.1 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior

    1027 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior

    2757 ft · 36 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    50 mi · 55 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 8: Barron, Cameron

    1931 ft · 47 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    79 m · 14 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  19. 19

    Continue on East Division Avenue

    2 mi · 5 min · East Division Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · 13 1/2 Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on 14th Avenue

    9 mi · 13 min · 14th Avenue

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue

    40 m · 7 sec · 14th Avenue

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto 14th Avenue

    2825 ft · 1 min · 14th Avenue

  25. 25

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    31 m · 6 sec

  26. 26

    Exit the roundabout

    10 mi · 14 min

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue

    38 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue

  28. 28

    Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue

    4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn right onto 140th Street

    3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street

  30. 30

    Continue on West Main Street

    2548 ft · 56 sec · West Main Street

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Courthouse Avenue

    124 m · 18 sec · Courthouse Avenue

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Allis and Balsam Lake.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
32 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
3 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
92.6 mi · 29%
I 94 West
77 mi · 24%
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi · 20%
US 53 North
50.5 mi · 16%
14th Avenue
19.5 mi · 6%
East 130th Avenue
4.39 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
06h 11m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
12h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.3 mi
277.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tomah
03h 05m from West Allis
Leave By
11:36 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving West Allis and Rain Showers Likely near Balsam Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Allis to Balsam Lake?

The road trip is about 324.4 miles (522.1 km) and usually takes 06h 11m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Tomah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162 miles from West Allis and 162.4 miles from Balsam Lake.

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

The direct path is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.18 one way or $86.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around West Allis and Rain Showers Likely near Balsam Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Tomah

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tomah, 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 Tomah.

RAIL

Tomah

1 mi away
North Superior Ave. and Washington St.
RAIL

La Crosse

62 mi away
St. Andrew and Caledonia Streets
BUS

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

69 mi away
2611 West Grand Avenue
RAIL

Wisconsin Dells

70 mi away
Superior and La Crosse Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Allis and Balsam Lake. Straight-line distance: 277.05 mi (445.87 km).

West Allis

#1 West Allis

The most populous city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Population59,748
Coordinates43.0166800, -88.0070300
Altitude222
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Balsam Lake

Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin

Population1,419
Coordinates45.4521800, -92.4546400
Altitude354
CountryUnited States
Start: West Allis (-88.00703, 43.01668)
End: Balsam Lake (-92.45464, 45.45218)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 522 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.45 gal
43.33 L · about $43.18
Round trip
$86.36
22.9 gal · 86.66 L
Estimated CO2
101.8 kg one way
Round trip: 203.5 kg / 449 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $43.18 $86.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $48.70 $97.39
Premium $4.65 $53.29 $106.58
Diesel $5.30 $60.73 $121.46

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 West Allis and Balsam Lake. The current time is 03:13:34.

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.