Origin
Big Flats, WI
Afternoon in Big Flats on Sunday
Local time
2:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Flats, 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
3h 4m
Distance
134.7 mi
217 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Flats, WI
Noland Live
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Big Flats to Menomonee Falls covers 134.7 miles of Wisconsin landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a mix of Highway 13, Highway 21, and various local roads through Portage. It is a practical, efficient way to transition from the central part of the state into the more developed areas near Menomonee Falls. Expect a functional trip that prioritizes local connections over high-speed interstate travel.
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
67.3 miles from Big Flats, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 40.4 mi | 43m |
| County Highway J | 14.9 mi | 26m |
| State Highway 21 | 14.6 mi | 20m |
| West Division Street | 10.8 mi | 16m |
| I 39 | 10.4 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 23 & 73 | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 23 | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| US 45 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 40.4 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Flats, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on CTH C
19 ft
·
5 sec
·
CTH C
2
Turn left onto WI 13
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 13
3
Turn left onto WI 21
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 21
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward Portage
5
Merge onto I 39; US 51
10 mi
·
11 min
·
I 39; US 51
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward CTH E, CTH J: Westfield
7
Keep slight left at fork
134 ft
·
3 sec
8
Turn left onto CTH E; CTH J
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
East 2nd Street
9
Continue on CTH J
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
County Highway J
10
Continue on CTH J
11 mi
·
19 min
·
County Highway J
11
Continue on CTH J
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road J
12
Turn right onto WI 73; CTH J
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
13
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fulton Street
14
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 23 & 73
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 23 & 49
16
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Fond du Lac Street
17
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Fond du Lac Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto WI 23; WI 49; CTH E
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Blackburn Street
19
Turn left onto WI 23; WI 49; CTH E
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Fond du Lac Street
20
Continue on WI 23
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 23
21
Continue on WI 23
11 mi
·
16 min
·
West Division Street
22
Take the ramp onto US 45
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 45
23
Continue on I 41; US 41
40 mi
·
43 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto CTH Q
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
County Line Road
26
Turn slight left
386 ft
·
19 sec
27
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
River Crest Drive
28
Turn left onto WI 175
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Appleton Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 4-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Aim to include at least one stop to break up the drive, as the turn-heavy nature of these roads can be more taxing than standard highway cruising. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the trip, as local roads may offer fewer options than major corridors. Since the route relies heavily on state highways and local connectors, check your GPS frequently to ensure you stay on the correct path through Portage. Taking a steady, relaxed approach will make the transition between these two Wisconsin locations much more manageable.
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 67.3 miles from Big Flats, WI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.4 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.3 miles or 1h 40m 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 35m
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 Big Flats, 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 Big Flats, WI
This is one driving day of about 134.7 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Big Flats, 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 40.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.3 miles from Big Flats, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 20.6 and 133.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
20.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward Portage
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Portage
5
31.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward CTH E, CTH J: Westfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH E, CTH J: Westfield
5
31.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
66.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
WI 23; WI 49; CTH E / Blackburn Street
At end of road, turn right onto WI 23; WI 49; CTH E / Blackburn Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
133.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$21.06 one way
$42.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.12 | $46.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.92 | $51.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.74 | $59.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.14 | $6.47 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.79 | $5.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.86 | $8.62 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Menomonee Falls, WI
Afternoon in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
Princeton, WI
67 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
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 4m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 18.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating surface roads for the entire 134.7-mile duration. The personality of the drive shifts as you transition between Highway 13, Highway 21, and the Portage area, requiring constant attention to changing speed limits and intersections. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches, you will find the pace is dictated by the local infrastructure. Prepare for a more hands-on driving day where the road surface and turns require your active focus.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and County Highway J. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.6 miles in.
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 134.7 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 20.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Big Flats, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Portage, Cth E and Cth J: Westfield.
Portage
20.6 mi in
|
~28m
Cth E
31.3 mi in
|
~40m
Cth J: Westfield
31.3 mi in
|
~40m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 134.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.4 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 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 20.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Menomonee Falls, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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