Spanning 280.2 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this trek from Altoona to Kenosha typically requires about 4 hours and 15 minutes of travel time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, you should plan on this being a full one-day commitment. Budget roughly $43 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Wisconsin points. Whether you are traveling for business or a visit, the route is straightforward enough to complete in a single stint. Since you will be navigating local roads like 9th Street West, Bartlett Avenue, and 10th Street West, keep your focus on the road rather than high-speed cruising.
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
139.7 miles from Altoona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
232 mi
4h 9m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
US 53
2.7 mi
3m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 232 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Garfield Avenue
0.1 mi·35 sec·Garfield Avenue
2
Turn left onto 9th Street West
340 ft·16 sec·9th Street West
3
Turn right onto Bartlett Avenue
521 ft·28 sec·Bartlett Avenue
4
Turn left onto 10th Street West
0.5 mi·1 min·10th Street West
5
Turn right onto US 12
0.4 mi·47 sec·US 12
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
8
Merge onto US 53
2.3 mi·2 min·US 53
9
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
10
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft·5 sec·US 53
11
Continue on US 53
441 ft·8 sec·US 53
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 94
168 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
19
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
25
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
27
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
28
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
29
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
30
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
31
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 15 minute duration, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic to keep your travel time consistent. While the route is manageable in one day, incorporating at least one stop is essential to break up the repetitive nature of navigating local streets. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can lead to unpredictable consumption compared to highway driving, and ensure your $43 budget is ready for the pump. A helpful tip for this specific trip is to preload your navigation for the turns on 9th Street West, Bartlett Avenue, and 10th Street West ahead of time. This preparation will help you stay on track without having to constantly check your phone while maneuvering through the turns.
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 139.7 miles from Altoona, WI, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232 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 61 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.7 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenosha, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altoona, 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 Altoona, WI
This is one driving day of about 279.3 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Altoona, 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 94 for about 232 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 172.6 and 271.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
172.6 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
236.8 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
237.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
9
246.5 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
8
271.1 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.67 one way
$87.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.94
$95.89
premium
$4.89
$53.75
$107.50
diesel
$5.61
$61.67
$123.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.8
1
$29.33
$13.41
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.44
$11.17
EV Truck/SUV
111.7
1
$39.10
$17.88
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Altoona, WI
Evening
in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Evening
in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 16m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 115.6
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly tactile driving experience as this route consists entirely of local roads with zero highway usage. The path demands your full attention, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes for a much more involved journey than a typical interstate slog. Since you aren't relying on major expressways, the pace remains steady but requires frequent adjustments through the various turns along the way. You will find that the lack of highway stretches creates a consistent, localized feel that persists from the start in Altoona to your arrival in Kenosha. Stay alert behind the wheel, as the technical nature of these local streets keeps the drive engaging from start to finish.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 172.6 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 279.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 172.6 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Altoona, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
236.8 mi in|~4h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 279.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232 miles on I 94. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kenosha, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 172.6 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kenosha, WI before the return drive.
