Origin
Ettrick, WI
Night in Ettrick on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ettrick, 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
4h 19m
Distance
214 mi
344 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 6m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ettrick, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Ettrick to Menomonee Falls, this 214-mile journey across Wisconsin takes roughly 4 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is straightforward, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $33 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively affordable haul through the Midwest. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, keeping navigation simple and predictable. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this drive provides a consistent pace that gets you from the western part of the state to the suburban outskirts of the Milwaukee area efficiently.
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
107 miles from Ettrick, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 108.4 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 94 | 55.6 mi | 59m |
| 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 |
| West Main Street | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| Redford Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 108.4 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ettrick, WI and Menomonee Falls, 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
56 mi
·
59 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
25
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Waukesha Avenue
27
Turn straight
374 ft
·
12 sec
28
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
29
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Town Line Road
30
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Main Street
31
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi
·
9 min
·
West Main Street
32
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Appleton Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the four-hour journey. Since the route is primarily interstate-based, traffic patterns on I-90 and I-94 can shift quickly, so checking local traffic reports before you depart from Ettrick is a smart move. Aim to fuel up before hitting the longest 108.4-mile stretch to ensure you aren't searching for a station when you're deep into the interstate portion of the trip. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to leave at a time that avoids peak rush hour congestion near your destination. Keep your travel documents and payment methods accessible, as the consistent highway speeds make it easy to breeze through the miles.
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 107 miles from Ettrick, WI, or about 2h 14m 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 47 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107 miles or 2h 14m 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 28m
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 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 214 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107 miles from Ettrick, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.4 miles.
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 201.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
14.9 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
WI 54 / State Highway 54
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54 / State Highway 54
Navigation decision point
5
25.2 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
WI 27; WI 71 / State Highway 27
At end of road, turn right onto WI 27; WI 71 / State Highway 27
Navigation decision point
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
201.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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
201.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.46 one way
$66.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.73 | $73.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.18 | $82.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.25 | $94.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.47 | $10.27 |
| Efficient EV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.72 | $8.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.96 | $13.70 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Night in Menomonee Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
5 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 19m 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 88.6
Caution: Hemlock Creek Segment — Logging Activities
Caution: Indian Creek Segment — Machinery and Parking Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of your travel time will be spent on major roads like I-90 and I-94. The driving rhythm is dominated by a significant 108.4-mile stretch on I-90, which allows you to cover large portions of the state quickly. While the majority of the route consists of high-speed interstate travel, you will eventually transition onto County Highway D as you approach your destination. This shift offers a change of pace from the monotonous interstate grind, requiring a bit more attention as you navigate closer to Menomonee Falls. Overall, the route is designed for utility and speed rather than technical or winding backroads.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 miles in near WI 54 / State Highway 54.
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 214 miles you will encounter 18 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 14.9 miles (WI 54 / State Highway 54): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (WI 27; WI 71 / State Highway 27): Navigation decision point; at 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,081 ft
771 ft
Total Climb
492 ft
Total Descent
405 ft
Highest Point
1,081 ft
~45.9 mi in
Elevation Range
310 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.
Between Ettrick, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.
Cth F: Waukesha
201.4 mi in
|
~3h 55m
Sussex
201.4 mi in
|
~3h 55m
Cth F North: Waukesha
201.7 mi in
|
~3h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 214 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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.
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 14.9 miles (WI 54 / State Highway 54): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (WI 27; WI 71 / State Highway 27): Navigation decision point; at 145.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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