Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from Ellsworth, WI to Kenosha, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 31m
Distance
326.5 mi
525 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 19m
★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 55m
8 PM
6h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellsworth, WI
Google DeepMind
Kenosha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ellsworth, WI to Kenosha, WI is 326.5 miles and takes about 6h 31m via I 94, US Highway 10, and North-South Freeway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward drive between two points in Wisconsin. With 95% of the route on highways, expect a mostly efficient travel day. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct connection and don't need extensive detours or sightseeing. Plan for a single day of travel to get you from your starting point to your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
163.3 miles from Ellsworth, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 214.7 mi | 3h 50m |
| US Highway 10 | 61.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| North-South Freeway | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Zoo Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| West Main Street | 3.7 mi | 8m |
| Burlington Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| 10th Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 214.7 mi, about 3h 50m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 220 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,043 veh/hr typical · worst 3,676
Quietest
2 AM
~197 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Ellsworth, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on US 10; US 63
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on US 10; US 63
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
US Highway 10
3
Take the exit onto US 10
28 mi
·
39 min
·
US Highway 10
4
Continue on US 10
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
United States Highway 10
5
Turn straight onto US 10
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 10
6
Continue on US 10
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
7
Continue on US 10
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 10
8
Continue on US 10
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Mondovi Street West
9
Continue on US 10
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 10
10
Continue on US 10; US 53
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
10th Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
12
Merge onto I 94
151 mi
·
2 hr 41 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
this road
Exit 305A
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
18
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi
·
25 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
24
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Washington Road
26
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Road
27
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft
·
14 sec
·
54th Street
28
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
8th Avenue
29
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
56th Street
30
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 31m estimated drive time, starting early in the morning from Ellsworth is your best bet to complete the 326.5 miles in one day. The longest stretch of driving is 214.7 miles on I 94, so plan your first stop around the halfway point of that segment to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so ensure you have a comfortable buffer. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but minimize unnecessary stops to stay on schedule. Keep an eye out for the transition points between the main freeways and US Highway 10 as you near Kenosha.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.3 miles from Ellsworth, WI, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.7 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 72 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 15m
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 Ellsworth, 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 Ellsworth, WI
This is one driving day of about 326.5 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Ellsworth, 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 214.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 163.3 miles from Ellsworth, 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 214.7 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
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Kenosha Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Wayside 46-07
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 219.8 and 318.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
219.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
284 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
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 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
284.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
9
293.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 46m 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
318.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 14m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.46 one way
$108.93 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $59.19 | $118.39 |
| premium | $5.26 | $67.60 | $135.20 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $79.43 | $158.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98 | 1 | $34.28 | $15.67 |
| Efficient EV | 81.6 | 0 | $28.57 | $13.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.6 | 1 | $45.71 | $20.90 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Ellsworth, WI
Late night in Ellsworth on Tuesday
Local time
1:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Late night in Kenosha on Tuesday
Local time
1:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
SW 5 mph
0% 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
2 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
6h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 157.6
Caution: Use Caution — Devil's Lake Segment
Caution: Use Caution — Tisch Mills Segment
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 95% of this 326.5-mile trip, meaning most of your time will be spent on I 94, US Highway 10, and the North-South Freeway. The longest uninterrupted highway stretch is 214.7 miles on I 94. Expect this to feel like a significant period of consistent driving. You'll transition to surface roads as you approach your destination, but the bulk of the miles are on high-speed routes with frequent exits.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US Highway 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 219.8 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 326.5 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 219.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 284 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,209 ft
600 ft
Total Climb
519 ft
Total Descent
1,127 ft
Highest Point
1,209 ft
Elevation Range
608 ft
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.
On the drive from Ellsworth, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
284 mi in
|
~5h 32m
About the Cities
Starting in Ellsworth, WI
Full guide →Ellsworth is a village in Northwest Wisconsin.
Arriving in Kenosha, WI
Full guide →Founded 1835
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."
Top landmarks
- • Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail — prison in Kenosha, United States of America
- • Kenosha Light — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
- • Kenosha North Pier Light — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
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 6h 31m. Total distance: 326.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 214.7 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 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. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 219.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 284 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kenosha, WI before the return drive.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kenosha, WI
More trips to Kenosha, WI
Explore more options from Ellsworth, WI or browse trips ending in Kenosha, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.