Spanning 134.9 miles across the Wisconsin countryside, this journey from Genesee to De Pere takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Because the route is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $20 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly way to navigate between these two Midwest locations. Since you will be sticking to local roads rather than major interstates, the drive offers a more intimate look at the state's interior. It is an ideal option if you prefer a direct, no-fuss transit between your starting point and destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.5 miles from Genesee, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
98.3 mi
1h 45m
Lovers Lane
9.1 mi
13m
State Highway 164
5.9 mi
9m
Meadowbrook Road
3.4 mi
6m
Les Paul Parkway
3.2 mi
5m
State Highway 59
3 mi
4m
Genesee Road
1.6 mi
2m
Prospect Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 98.3 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Genesee, WI and De Pere, WI.
1
Start on Church Street
412 ft·18 sec·Church Street
2
Turn right onto Old Village Road
446 ft·22 sec·Old Village Road
3
Turn left onto WI 83
0.2 mi·30 sec·State Highway 83
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 59
35 ft·2 sec·State Highway 59
5
Continue on WI 59
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 59
6
Continue on WI 59
1.6 mi·2 min·Genesee Road
7
Turn slight left
433 ft·11 sec
8
Turn left onto US 18
3.2 mi·5 min·Les Paul Parkway
9
Continue on WI 318
3.4 mi·6 min·Meadowbrook Road
10
Continue on CTH G
1.1 mi·2 min·Prospect Avenue
11
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·Main Street
12
Continue on West Wisconsin Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·West Wisconsin Avenue
13
Turn right onto CTH KF
0.4 mi·44 sec·Ryan Street
14
Continue on CTH KF
0.9 mi·1 min·Ryan Road
15
Turn right onto CTH JK
0.6 mi·1 min·Lynndale Road
16
Turn right onto CTH K
0.8 mi·1 min·Lisbon Road
17
Turn slight left
524 ft·22 sec
18
Turn left onto WI 164
5.9 mi·9 min·State Highway 164
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 164
136 ft·2 sec·Lovers Lane
20
Continue on WI 164
4.0 mi·5 min·Lovers Lane
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 164
117 ft·2 sec·Lovers Lane
22
Continue on WI 164
5.0 mi·7 min·Lovers Lane
23
Turn right onto WI 60
0.4 mi·34 sec·State Highway 60 East
24
Continue on WI 60
0.2 mi·15 sec·State Highway 60 East
25
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North: Appleton, Fond du Lac
26
Merge onto I 41; US 41
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 163AToward CTH G
28
Keep slight right at fork
363 ft·8 sec
29
Turn right onto West Main Avenue
284 ft·5 sec·West Main Avenue
30
Enter roundabout onto West Main Avenue
125 ft·2 sec·West Main Avenue
31
Continue on West Main Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·West Main Avenue
32
Continue on WI 32
0.3 mi·45 sec·Reid Street
33
Turn left onto WI 32
205 ft·4 sec·3rd Street
34
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 32
0.4 mi·48 sec·WI 32
35
Enter roundabout onto WI 57
269 ft·4 sec·WI 57
36
Continue on WI 57
475 ft·8 sec·WI 57
37
Arrive at destination
WI 57
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2-hour-and-15-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to build in complex rest stops, though it is always wise to ensure you have a full tank before leaving Genesee, as the local roads may offer fewer refueling options than the main highway systems. Keep in mind that because the route is entirely comprised of local roads, travel times can fluctuate slightly based on local traffic or weather conditions. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, try to avoid making the trip during periods of low visibility if you are not comfortable navigating winding, non-highway roads after dark. Staying alert on these smaller roads is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in De Pere.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.5 miles from Genesee, WI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.3 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 29 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Pere, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Genesee, 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 Genesee, WI
This is one driving day of about 133.1 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Genesee, 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 98.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 131.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|WI 59 / State Highway 59
Enter roundabout onto WI 59 / State Highway 59
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
26.6 mi into trip|~44m in|WI 164 / Lovers Lane
Enter roundabout onto WI 164 / Lovers Lane
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
32.7 mi into trip|~53m in|I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
5
131 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward CTH G
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 163A
Toward CTH G
5
131.3 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.81 one way
$41.62 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.85
$45.69
premium
$4.89
$25.61
$51.23
diesel
$5.61
$29.39
$58.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.9
0
$13.98
$6.39
Efficient EV
33.3
0
$11.65
$5.32
EV Truck/SUV
53.2
0
$18.63
$8.52
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Genesee, WI
Late night
in Genesee on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
De Pere, WI
Late night
in De Pere on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
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
2h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies entirely on local roads like Old Village Road, Highway 83, and Highway 59, resulting in a 0% highway share. Because the route lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, your pace will be dictated by the twists and turns of these smaller thoroughfares. Navigating this path requires a bit more focus than a typical high-speed cruise, as you’ll be constantly adjusting to the rural road geometry. It is a hands-on driving experience that rewards those who enjoy navigating winding, local infrastructure.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.3 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and Lovers Lane. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near WI 59 / State Highway 59.
Driving Effort5/10
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 133.1 miles you will encounter 21 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 0.4 miles (WI 59 / State Highway 59): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 26.6 miles (WI 164 / Lovers Lane): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.7 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Between Genesee, WI and De Pere, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Appleton.
Fond Du Lac
32.2 mi in|~52m
Appleton
32.7 mi in|~53m|via I 41; US 41
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 133.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.3 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.4 miles (WI 59 / State Highway 59): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 26.6 miles (WI 164 / Lovers Lane): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.7 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at De Pere, WI before heading back.
