Origin
Belle Plaine, WI
Late night in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belle Plaine, WI to Kenosha, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
176.9 mi
285 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belle Plaine, WI
Sam McCool
Kenosha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 176.9-mile drive from Belle Plaine, WI to Kenosha, WI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes. You'll be spending about 92% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-41 and US-45. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. Given its straightforward highway focus and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a quick, efficient transit between two points within the Midwest. You can expect a consistent driving experience with minimal need for overnight stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.4 miles from Belle Plaine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 87.4 mi | 1h 38m |
| US Highway 45 | 29.7 mi | 40m |
| North-South Freeway | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| US 45 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 22 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Burlington Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Washington Road | 3.3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belle Plaine, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Belle Plaine Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Belle Plaine Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto WI 22
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 22
3
Continue on WI 22
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
4
Turn right onto WI 22
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on WI 22
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 22
6
At end of road, turn right onto W Green Tree Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
W Green Tree Road
7
Turn left onto CTH D
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road D
8
At end of road, turn left onto CTH D
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
West 12th Street
9
Turn right onto WI 22; CTH D
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US Highway 45
Use the straight lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto US 45
110 ft
·
6 sec
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
12
Continue on US 45
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 45
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
15
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41; US 41
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi
·
25 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
21
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Washington Road
23
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Road
24
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft
·
14 sec
·
54th Street
25
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
8th Avenue
26
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
56th Street
27
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 41-minute drive, leaving in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, will allow you to arrive in Kenosha with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 87.4 miles, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on I-41, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is a good benchmark for budgeting this quick trip.
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 88.4 miles from Belle Plaine, WI, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 39 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.4 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
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 Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, WI
This is one driving day of about 176.9 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Belle Plaine, 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 41 for about 87.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.4 miles from Belle Plaine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 9.3 and 168.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street
Turn right onto WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
40.2 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
144.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
168.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m 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
7
168.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, K...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.66 one way
$55.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.37 | $60.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.04 | $68.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.06 | $78.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.57 | $8.49 |
| Efficient EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.48 | $7.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.8 | 0 | $24.77 | $11.32 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Late night in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 to 10 mph
33% 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
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
3h 41m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 92% of the route utilizing major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.4 miles on I-41, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This means you'll likely experience a steady pace with limited complex road changes. The North-South Freeway also contributes to the overall highway character, making it a direct and efficient journey.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in near WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 176.9 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 9.3 miles (WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Kenosha, WI
Full guide →Kenosha is Wisconsin's fourth largest city. It is in the state's southeast region. Many of its residents commute to jobs elsewhere, leading to its appellation as "Chicago's northernmost suburb."
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 176.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 miles on I 41. 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 9.3 miles (WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kenosha, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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