Hale to Kenosha is 258.9 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays within Wisconsin for its entire 258.9-mile length. With 95% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward trip for the most part. This is a solid option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without many detours. Plan for a single day of travel, as the estimated time is well within typical driving limits.
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
129.4 miles from Hale, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
204.6 mi
3h 40m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
State Highway 121
5.1 mi
8m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
US Highway 53
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 204.6 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 102 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,214 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,774
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Hale, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on CTH EE
2.2 mi·5 min·County Road EE
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 53
2.7 mi·3 min·US Highway 53
3
Continue on US 53
0.3 mi·35 sec·Ekern Street
4
Turn left onto WI 121
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
5
Continue on WI 121
5.1 mi·8 min·State Highway 121
6
Continue on WI 121
0.6 mi·1 min·WI 121
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
8
Merge onto I 94
140 mi·2 hr 30 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
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.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
14
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
20
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
22
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
23
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
24
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
25
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
26
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 59m estimated duration, leaving in the morning from Hale, WI, will comfortably get you to Kenosha, WI, before evening. The 204.6-mile stretch on I 94 means you can cover a significant portion of the distance without needing an early stop. With a fuel cost estimated around $40, it's wise to fill up before you leave or at a major exit along I 94 to ensure you have enough for the longest stretch. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to complete the highway portion with plenty of daylight.
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 129.4 miles from Hale, WI, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.6 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 57 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.4 miles or 2h 27m 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 57m
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 Hale, 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 Hale, WI
This is one driving day of about 258.9 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Hale, 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 204.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 152.2 and 250.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
152.2 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
216.3 mi into trip|~4h 1m 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
216.9 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
226.1 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
250.6 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
$38.23 one way
$76.47 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.21
$84.42
premium
$4.72
$48.07
$96.14
diesel
$4.80
$48.89
$97.77
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: 90.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.7
0
$27.18
$12.43
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.65
$10.36
EV Truck/SUV
103.6
1
$36.25
$16.57
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hale, WI
Afternoon
in Hale on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Afternoon
in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:04AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
64°F
Leeds, WI
129 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
7 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
4h 59m 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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 98.2
Park Closure: Devil’s Lake Segment — Balanced Rock Trail Closed May 4–8
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Ninety-five percent of this 258.9-mile route is highway, primarily on I 94. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 204.6 miles on I 94 before transitioning to State Highway 121. Expect a consistent highway experience for the vast majority of the drive, with a brief section on surface roads near the end. The high percentage of highway means you'll likely notice frequent exits and differing speed limits as you approach more populated areas.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 152.2 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 20 significant decision points across 258.9 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 152.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,013 ft600 ft
Total Climb
231 ft
Total Descent
555 ft
Highest Point
1,013 ft
~37 mi in
Elevation Range
412 ft
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 Hale, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 258.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 152.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.9 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.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Kenosha, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
