Hudson, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is 307.6 miles and takes about 5h 41m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, primarily traveling through Wisconsin. The route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single-day trip. You'll spend the majority of your time on interstates, so expect a relatively quick transit time. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is manageable within daylight hours.
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
153.8 miles from Hudson, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
232.5 mi
4h 9m
I 90
61.2 mi
1h 5m
West Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Second Street
0.7 mi
1m
WI 35
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 232.5 mi, about 4h 9m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,012 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,537
Quietest
2 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Hudson, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi·1 min·Second Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 35
0.5 mi·1 min·WI 35
Toward Eau Claire, River FallsUse the slight left lane.
3
Merge onto I 94; US 12; WI 35
177 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 94; US 12; WI 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 90; I 94
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
8
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
10
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
11
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
13
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
14
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
15
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 41m drive time and 307.6-mile distance, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Menomonee Falls with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is predominantly highway, with the longest stretch on I 94 spanning 232.5 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before embarking on this segment. With a fuel cost estimate around $54, budgeting for gas is straightforward. Consider a single stop for a break, as the drive is manageable for one day.
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 153.8 miles from Hudson, WI, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.5 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 68 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.8 miles or 2h 46m 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 31m
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 Hudson, 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 Hudson, WI
This is one driving day of about 307.6 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Hudson, 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 232.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 295.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|WI 35
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 35 toward Eau Claire, River Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Eau Claire, River Falls
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 94; US 12; WI 35
Merge onto I 94; US 12; WI 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
239.4 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
295 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
295.3 mi into trip|~5h 18m 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
$45.43 one way
$90.85 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.15
$100.30
premium
$4.72
$57.11
$114.22
diesel
$4.80
$58.08
$116.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.3
1
$32.30
$14.76
Efficient EV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.30
EV Truck/SUV
123
1
$43.06
$19.69
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Hudson, WI
Late night
in Hudson on Sunday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:54AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:54AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
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
3 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 41m 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 180.3
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?
This drive is 96% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for nearly the entire 307.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 232.5 miles on I 94. You'll transition to surface roads like West Main Street only for the final portion of your trip. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232.5 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near WI 35.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 307.6 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 0.7 miles (WI 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 94; US 12; WI 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Hudson is a city in the St. Croix Valley of northwestern Wisconsin. It sits along the St. Croix River, which is also the Minnesota border, and is adjacent to and sometimes considered a part of that state's Twin Cities region.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 307.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232.5 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Menomonee Falls, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (WI 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 94; US 12; WI 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.4 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Menomonee Falls, WI before the return drive.
