Origin
Belle Plaine, WI
Late night in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belle Plaine, 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
2h 31m
Distance
122.8 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belle Plaine, WI
Sam McCool
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 122.8-mile drive from Belle Plaine, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is a straightforward 2-hour and 31-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, reflecting a largely highway-focused experience. You'll spend most of your time on I-41 and US-45, traversing the Midwest region of Wisconsin. With only one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal fuss. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
61.4 miles from Belle Plaine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 67.4 mi | 1h 12m |
| US Highway 45 | 29.7 mi | 40m |
| US 45 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 22 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| South Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Appleton Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 67.4 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belle Plaine, WI and Menomonee Falls, 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
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto CTH Q
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
County Line Road
18
Turn slight left
386 ft
·
19 sec
19
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
River Crest Drive
20
Turn left onto WI 175
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Appleton Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 31-minute duration, you have flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day at your destination or departing mid-day to avoid peak traffic. The longest stretch without a major junction is 67.4 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. With a manageable fuel cost of $19, you won't need to worry about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to have a bit of extra buffer, especially when driving through less populated areas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.4 miles from Belle Plaine, WI, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.4 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 27 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 4m
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 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 122.8 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 67.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.4 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 67.4 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 121.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WI 22 / State Highway 22
At end of road, turn left onto WI 22 / State Highway 22
Navigation decision point
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.
5
34.3 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
US 45 / US Highway 45
Enter roundabout onto US 45 / US Highway 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
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
7
121.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.20 one way
$38.40 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.08 | $42.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.63 | $47.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.11 | $54.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.89 | $5.89 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.75 | $4.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.19 | $7.86 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
New London, WI
61 mi in
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
2h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 drive for 94% of this trip, primarily utilizing I-41 and US Highway 45. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.4 miles on I-41, offering a consistent pace. This route is characterized by its efficient, high-speed travel, minimizing time spent on slower local roads. As you progress, the landscape will remain consistent with the typical Midwest highway scenery, allowing for a predictable and smooth driving experience.
94% 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: 67.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 45. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near WI 22 / State Highway 22.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 122.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.5 miles (WI 22 / State Highway 22): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.3 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 122.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Menomonee Falls, 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 0.5 miles (WI 22 / State Highway 22): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.3 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Menomonee Falls, WI before heading back.
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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