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Trip from Alma, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h

Distance

256 mi

412 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 47m ★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 10m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Alma, WI, WI

Alma, WI

Tom Fisk

village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

Menomonee Falls, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 256-mile drive from Alma to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours to complete. It's a primarily highway-focused journey, with about 82% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll be on I-90 and I-94 for the bulk of your travel, with State Road 35 offering a change of pace. Budget around $40 for fuel for this trip. Given its manageable duration and highway nature, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for a straightforward transition between the Midwest regions of Wisconsin. You'll find plenty of opportunities for a brief stop, making the 5-hour journey feel less taxing.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

128 miles from Alma, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 132.5 mi 2h 22m
I 94 55.6 mi 59m
State Road 35 28.7 mi 40m
US 53 14.8 mi 18m
State Highway 93 8.2 mi 11m
West Main Street 4.6 mi 9m
Redford Boulevard 4.5 mi 7m
South Main Street 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 132.5 mi, about 2h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alma, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.

1

Start on WI 35

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
2

Continue on WI 35

15 mi · 21 min · State Road 35
3

Continue on WI 35

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Shore Drive
4

Continue on WI 35

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
5

Continue on WI 35

13 mi · 19 min · State Road 35
6

Continue on WI 93; WI 54

8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 93
7

Continue on US 53; WI 93

15 mi · 18 min · US 53; WI 93
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
9

Merge onto I 90

133 mi · 2 hr 22 min · I 90
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

56 mi · 59 min · I 94
Exit 138A Toward I 94: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 295 Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

188 ft · 6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
13

Turn left onto CTH F

4.5 mi · 7 min · Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
14

Continue on CTH F

1.5 mi · 2 min · Waukesha Avenue
15

Turn straight

374 ft · 12 sec
16

Turn straight onto CTH F

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
17

At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Town Line Road
18

Enter roundabout onto CTH F

74 ft · 4 sec · West Main Street
19

Continue on CTH F

4.6 mi · 9 min · West Main Street
20

Turn left onto WI 175

21 ft · 0 sec · Appleton Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

WI 175

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and minimize traffic, especially on the interstate segments. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 132.5 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically. A quick fuel stop might be beneficial before you hit the longer stretches of I-90. The $40 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, staying aware of your fuel gauge on I-90 is a practical tip, as services can be more spaced out on longer highway segments.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128 miles from Alma, WI, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 56 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 128 miles or 2h 33m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Menomonee Falls, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Alma, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alma, WI

This is one driving day of about 256 miles and 5h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Alma, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 132.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

128 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Onalaska, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Adams, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 128 miles from Alma, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Birch & Banyan Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 237.7

Hartland, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+12625631034

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 55.3 and 251 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
55.3 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | I 90

Merge onto I 90

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
187.8 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in | I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 138A Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
243.4 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 295 Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
7
243.7 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
5
251 mi into trip | ~4h 50m in | CTH F; CTH V / Town Line Road

At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V / Town Line Road

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.02 one way

$80.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.94 $87.89
premium $4.89 $49.26 $98.53
diesel $5.61 $56.52 $113.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.8 0 $26.88 $12.29
Efficient EV 64 0 $22.40 $10.24
EV Truck/SUV 102.4 1 $35.84 $16.38

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Alma, WI

Night in Alma on Saturday

Local time

9:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Menomonee Falls, WI

Night in Menomonee Falls on Saturday

Local time

9:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Partly Sunny

W 15 to 20 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

19 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused profile for most of this 256-mile journey. With 82% of the drive on major highways like I-90 and I-94, you'll experience efficient travel for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 132.5 miles on I-90, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the majority is interstate, State Road 35 provides a brief interlude from the high-speed travel, adding a bit of variety to the driving experience. This route prioritizes directness, minimizing time spent on slower, more winding roads.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.5 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 55.3 miles in near I 90.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 256 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 55.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 243.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 256 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 132.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 55.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 243.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Menomonee Falls, WI before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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