Traveling from Ettrick to Kenosha covers 252.5 miles across the Wisconsin landscape. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 4 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable journey to complete in a single day. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, including I-90, I-94, and the North-South Freeway. With a fuel budget of approximately $38, this trip is quite cost-effective for a solo driver or a small group. Because the entire route stays within the Midwest region, you can anticipate consistent road conditions throughout your transit. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that serves well as a direct connection between these two points without requiring an overnight stay.
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
126.3 miles from Ettrick, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
108.4 mi
1h 56m
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
County Highway D
8.3 mi
14m
State Highway 27
8 mi
10m
State Highway 71
7.6 mi
11m
County Road D
6.4 mi
11m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 108.4 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ettrick, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on CTH D
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Main Street
2
Continue on CTH D
6.4 mi·11 min·County Road D
3
Continue on CTH D
8.3 mi·14 min·County Highway D
4
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
0.3 mi·22 sec·State Highway 54
5
Continue on WI 54
0.9 mi·1 min·North Washington Street
6
Turn straight onto WI 108
0.3 mi·31 sec·Sparta Street
7
Continue on WI 108
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 108
8
Turn left onto WI 71
7.6 mi·11 min·State Highway 71
9
At end of road, turn right onto WI 27; WI 71
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 27
10
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
0.3 mi·33 sec·Black River Street
11
Turn left onto West Montgomery Street
0.5 mi·56 sec·West Montgomery Street
12
Turn right onto WI 21
0.4 mi·47 sec·North Water Street
13
Turn left onto East Oak Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·East Oak Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto East Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·East Avenue
15
Turn left onto WI 16; WI 71
0.6 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
16
Continue on WI 16; WI 71
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 16
17
Enter roundabout onto WI 16
109 ft·6 sec·East Wisconsin Street
18
Continue on WI 16
1.0 mi·1 min·East Wisconsin Street
19
Continue on WI 16
0.2 mi·17 sec·State Highway 16
20
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
21
Merge onto I 90
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 90
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
25
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
27
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
33
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
35
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
36
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
37
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
38
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
39
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic buildup near the urban corridors you will encounter. Given the length of the trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh your focus behind the wheel. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $38, keep an eye on your gauge during the long 108.4-mile stretch on I-90 to ensure you have plenty of range before hitting more congested areas. Flexibility is a major advantage on this route, so feel free to adjust your pace based on real-time traffic reports. If you find the highway driving repetitive, utilize your planned rest stop as a necessary mental break to stay alert for the final leg of your trip.
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 126.3 miles from Ettrick, WI, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.4 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 56 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.3 miles or 2h 35m 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 2m
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 Ettrick, 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 Ettrick, WI
This is one driving day of about 252.5 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Ettrick, 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 90 for about 108.4 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 145.8 and 244.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
145.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
210 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
210.6 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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
219.7 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
244.3 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
$39.48 one way
$78.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.34
$86.69
premium
$4.89
$48.59
$97.18
diesel
$5.61
$55.75
$111.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.8
0
$26.51
$12.12
Efficient EV
63.1
0
$22.09
$10.10
EV Truck/SUV
101
1
$35.35
$16.16
Gas CO2
88 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ettrick, WI
Night
in Ettrick on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Night
in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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
9 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
5h 4m 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 87.1
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with highways accounting for 88% of your total travel time. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience as you navigate the longest uninterrupted stretch of 108.4 miles along I-90. While the drive is largely a highway-focused grind, the transition onto the North-South Freeway helps you navigate the final segments of the journey toward Kenosha. Because you are primarily utilizing major interstates, the road surface remains steady and predictable for the duration of your 252.5-mile trek. Expect a functional, high-speed pace that prioritizes speed and directness over the slower, winding nature of local backroads.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 145.8 miles in near I 94.
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 27 significant decision points across 252.5 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 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 210 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Ettrick, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
210 mi in|~4h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 252.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.4 miles on I 90. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 210 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.6 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 5.1 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 Kenosha, WI before the return drive.
