Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Elk Mound, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 46m
Distance
254.2 mi
409 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 33m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 53m
3 PM
4h 57m
5 PM
5h 12m
8 PM
4h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elk Mound, WI
Tom Fisk
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Elk Mound to Menomonee Falls is 254.2 miles and takes about 4h 46m via I 94 and US-12, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip that should feel familiar to anyone who has driven in the area. If you're looking for a simple, direct route to get between these two points without much fuss, this one fits the bill.
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
127.1 miles from Elk Mound, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 235.1 mi | 4h 12m |
| United States Highway 12 | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| Redford Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| Waukesha Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Crossing | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Menomonie Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 235.1 mi, about 4h 12m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,037 veh/hr typical · worst 2,508
Quietest
1 AM
~124 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Elk Mound, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on US 12
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Menomonie Street
2
Continue on US 12
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
United States Highway 12
3
Turn right onto WI 312; CTH EE
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Crossing
4
Continue on WI 312; CTH EE
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Crossing
5
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-94_East: Madison
6
Merge onto I 94
180 mi
·
3 hr 12 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
10
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Waukesha Avenue
12
Turn straight
374 ft
·
12 sec
13
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Town Line Road
15
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Main Street
16
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi
·
9 min
·
West Main Street
17
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Appleton Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 46m driving time and single recommended day, leaving Elk Mound in the morning is ideal to give you flexibility. While the drive is manageable in one go, you can plan for one stop to stretch your legs, especially since the longest stretch is over 235 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $40; it's always wise to top off before hitting the longest highway segment. The route is mostly interstate, so be mindful of potential traffic delays as you get closer to Menomonee Falls.
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 127.1 miles from Elk Mound, WI, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.1 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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.1 miles or 2h 19m 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 47m
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 Elk Mound, 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 Elk Mound, WI
This is one driving day of about 254.2 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Elk Mound, 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 235.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.1 miles from Elk Mound, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Millston Rest Area 53
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Poynette Rest Area 12
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Johnson Creek Rest Area 14
0.2 mi from route
Black River Falls Rest Area 54
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 249.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
186 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m 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
241.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m 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
241.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m 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
249.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m 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
$37.54 one way
$75.08 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $41.44 | $82.89 |
| premium | $4.72 | $47.20 | $94.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.3 | 0 | $26.69 | $12.20 |
| Efficient EV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.24 | $10.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.59 | $16.27 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Origin
Elk Mound, WI
Late night in Elk Mound on Sunday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
86°F
Lodi, WI
127 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 46m 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 131.5
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 94% of it on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 94, with a continuous stretch of 235.1 miles on this interstate. The transition to surface streets like United States Highway 12 and West Main Street will happen closer to your destination. Expect plenty of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach more populated areas near Menomonee Falls.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 235.1 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and United States Highway 12. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 254.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 6.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 186 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
986 ft
798 ft
Total Climb
264 ft
Total Descent
328 ft
Highest Point
986 ft
~36.3 mi in
Elevation Range
188 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Elk Mound, WI
Full guide →Arriving in Menomonee Falls, WI
Full guide →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 4h 46m. Total distance: 254.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m 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 235.1 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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.
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 6.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 186 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.6 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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