Stretching 231.9 miles across Wisconsin, this drive from Arcadia to Menomonee Falls typically takes about 4 hours and 31 minutes to complete. Because the duration is manageable for a single day, you can easily tackle this trip in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $32 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. The route is straightforward and favors efficiency, making it a functional choice for travelers moving between the western and southeastern parts of the state. It serves as a reliable transit path, perfect for those prioritizing a direct arrival over a leisurely sightseeing pace.
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
116 miles from Arcadia, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
189.2 mi
3h 22m
State Highway 95
13.5 mi
20m
State Road 95
12.2 mi
18m
West Main Street
6.6 mi
12m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
US 53
1.5 mi
2m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 189.2 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcadia, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on WI 95
1.6 mi·2 min·West Main Street
2
Continue on WI 95
12 mi·18 min·State Road 95
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 53
1.5 mi·2 min·US 53
4
Turn left onto WI 95
495 ft·8 sec·State Highway 95
5
Continue on WI 95
0.3 mi·32 sec·West 4th Street
6
Turn left onto WI 95
13 mi·19 min·State Highway 95
7
Continue on WI 95
0.4 mi·34 sec·West Main Street
8
Turn slight right
329 ft·12 sec
9
Turn straight onto WI 95; CTH FF
0.1 mi·13 sec·North State Street
10
Continue on WI 95; CTH FF
0.4 mi·42 sec·State Highway 95
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
12
Merge onto I 94
134 mi·2 hr 23 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
16
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
18
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
19
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
21
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
22
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
23
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, planning your departure early helps you avoid potential congestion as you near more populated areas. You should count on making at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the 4-hour-and-31-minute journey. Given that the longest segment is nearly 190 miles, check your fuel gauge before merging onto I-94 to ensure you have enough to cover that extended stretch comfortably. Use the flexibility of this route to your advantage by timing your single stop to coincide with your mid-trip fuel needs. Keeping your pace steady will make the transition from the state highways to the main interstate segments feel seamless.
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 116 miles from Arcadia, WI, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.2 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 51 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
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 Arcadia, 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 Arcadia, WI
This is one driving day of about 231.9 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Arcadia, 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 189.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.1 and 226.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
30.1 mi into trip|~45m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
163.7 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
219.3 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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
219.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
226.9 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
$36.25 one way
$72.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.81
$79.61
premium
$4.89
$44.63
$89.25
diesel
$5.61
$51.20
$102.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.6
0
$24.35
$11.13
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.29
$9.28
EV Truck/SUV
92.8
1
$32.47
$14.84
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 20, 2026
Origin
Arcadia, WI
Late night
in Arcadia on Tuesday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night
in Menomonee Falls on Tuesday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
18 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
4h 31m 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 104
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely primarily on I-94, State Highway 95, and State Road 95 to navigate the distance. Prepare for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 189.2 miles along I-94, which dictates the overall pace of your travel. While the local state roads provide the initial connection, the bulk of your time behind the wheel will be spent on the interstate. Expect a consistent, efficient driving experience that favors steady momentum over the technical turns found on smaller, rural routes.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 95. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 30.1 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort5/10
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 231.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 30.1 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Arcadia, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 231.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 189.2 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.1 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Menomonee Falls, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
