This 243.6-mile journey from Dover, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI will take you approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. The route utilizes County Road D, I-39 South, and US-10 East, offering a mix of local roads and highway driving. Budget around $37 for fuel, and be prepared for a drive with frequent turns. This is a solid option for a straightforward trip within the Midwest.
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
122.6 miles from Dover, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
67.4 mi
1h 12m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
US 51
46.3 mi
53m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
US 8
22.3 mi
30m
County Road D
12.6 mi
30m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
Appleton Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 67.4 mi, about 1h 12m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,176 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,684
Quietest
1 AM
~126 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dover, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on Martins Drive
30 ft·1 sec·Martins Drive
2
Continue on CTH D
3.0 mi·7 min·County Road D
3
Continue on CTH D
7.5 mi·18 min·County Road D
4
Continue on CTH D
2.1 mi·5 min·County Road D
5
Turn left onto US 8; CTH D
22 mi·30 min·US 8; CTH D
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto US 51
46 mi·53 min·US 51
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
9
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
10
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 10; WI 66
Exit 158Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi·1 hr·US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, WaupacaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
14
Merge onto I 41; US 41
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 52Toward CTH Q: County Line RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto CTH Q
0.1 mi·18 sec·County Line Road
17
Turn slight left
386 ft·19 sec
18
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·River Crest Drive
19
Turn left onto WI 175
0.8 mi·2 min·Appleton Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 57-minute duration, departing in the morning is ideal to maximize your daylight hours and arrive with plenty of time. With 243.6 miles and a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, even though only one stop is indicated. The estimated fuel cost is $37, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Dover. A good tip for this route is to be extra vigilant with your GPS or map, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means you'll be making frequent changes in direction.
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 122.6 miles from Dover, WI, or about 2h 41m 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 54 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 41m 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 12m
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 Dover, 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 Dover, WI
This is one driving day of about 245.3 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Dover, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.9 and 243.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
34.9 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
81.6 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
8
111.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
162.7 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
243.6 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
$36.23 one way
$72.45 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.99
$79.98
premium
$4.72
$45.54
$91.09
diesel
$4.80
$46.32
$92.63
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: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.76
$11.77
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.46
$9.81
EV Truck/SUV
98.1
1
$34.34
$15.70
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Dover, WI
Late night
in Dover on Sunday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Smoke
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Patchy Smoke
N 5 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
6 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 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a highway share of 0%. This means you'll be navigating more local roads and fewer high-speed stretches, so keep an eye on your navigation. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests frequent adjustments in direction. The progression of the drive will likely involve a consistent pace dictated by local traffic and speed limits rather than long, open highway segments.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.9 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 245.3 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 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.6 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.8 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,660 ft761 ft
Total Climb
294 ft
Total Descent
1,095 ft
Highest Point
1,660 ft
Elevation Range
899 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dover, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
81.6 mi in|~1h 55m|via I 39; US 51
Waupaca
111.4 mi in|~2h 28m|via US 10; WI 66
Appleton
111.4 mi in|~2h 28m|via US 10; WI 66
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 245.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m 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.
Yes — we found about 7 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.6 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.8 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Menomonee Falls, WI before the return drive.
