If you are planning a trip from Kenosha to Beaver Dam, expect a straightforward 101.6-mile journey through the heart of the Wisconsin Midwest. You will spend about 2 hours and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day excursion. Budgeting roughly $15 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably, as the route is efficient and direct. Because the drive is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you have additional commitments in the area. This highway-focused path is ideal for travelers who prefer a steady, predictable pace over complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.8 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
61.9 mi
1h 12m
State Highway 33
21.2 mi
30m
Airport Freeway
4.6 mi
6m
Burlington Road
3.7 mi
6m
Washington Road
3 mi
6m
Park Avenue
1.5 mi
4m
Main Street
1.5 mi
2m
Lake Street
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 61.9 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Beaver Dam, WI.
1
Start on 56th Street
265 ft·11 sec·56th Street
2
Turn right onto WI 32
1.0 mi·2 min·Sheridan Road
3
Turn left onto CTH S
3.0 mi·6 min·Washington Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on Burlington Road
3.7 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West
6
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·24 min·I 41; I 94; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41
0.6 mi·49 sec·I 41; I 94; US 41
Exit 317Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 41; US 41
1.1 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.6 mi·6 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
25 mi·30 min·I 41; I 894; US 41
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
13 mi·13 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 72Toward WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West BendUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto WI 33; CTH W
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
14
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi·7 min·State Highway 33
15
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
119 ft·2 sec·State Highway 33
16
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 33
17
Continue on Lake Street
1.2 mi·1 min·Lake Street
18
Turn left onto WI 33
0.1 mi·13 sec·Vine Street
19
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi·28 sec·Barstow Street
20
Continue on WI 33
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
21
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.6 mi·57 sec·Washington Street
22
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 33
23
Continue on WI 33
1.5 mi·4 min·Park Avenue
24
Turn right onto US 151 Business
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Spring Street
25
Turn left
104 ft·7 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 2-hour-and-15-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 101.6 miles without needing a formal rest stop, though checking your fuel levels before merging onto I-41 is a smart way to ensure a smooth journey. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on high-speed roads, so staying alert during that 61.9-mile stretch is key. Planning your departure to avoid peak commute hours on the interstate will help keep your travel time closer to the estimated duration. Use the simplicity of this route to your advantage by keeping your itinerary light and focused on your arrival in Beaver Dam.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.8 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.9 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 22 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.8 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaver Dam, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, WI
This is one driving day of about 101.6 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Kenosha, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 61.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 74.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|CTH S / Washington Road
Turn left onto CTH S / Washington Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
30.8 mi into trip|~40m in|I 41; I 94; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Ma...
8
37 mi into trip|~49m in|I 41; I 894; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US...
8
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
8
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West Bend
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 72
Toward WI 33, CTH W: Allenton, West Bend
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.88 one way
$31.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.44
$34.88
premium
$4.89
$19.55
$39.10
diesel
$5.61
$22.43
$44.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.5
0
$10.67
$4.88
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.89
$4.06
EV Truck/SUV
40.6
0
$14.22
$6.50
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Beaver Dam, WI
Late night
in Beaver Dam on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
10 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
2h 15m 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 drive defined by speed and efficiency, with 86% of your time spent on major highways. You will rely heavily on I-41, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 61.9 miles, allowing you to settle into a consistent rhythm. The transition from the interstate onto State Highway 33 and the Airport Freeway marks a shift in the road's personality as you move toward your destination. While the route is largely an interstate grind, the high highway percentage ensures you avoid the stop-and-go traffic often found on smaller local roads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate a streamlined path.
86% 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: 61.9 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near CTH S / Washington Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 101.6 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 1 miles (CTH S / Washington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.8 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): 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.
Between Kenosha, WI and Beaver Dam, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Appleton, Cth W: Allenton and Bend.
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."
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 101.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.9 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Beaver Dam, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CTH S / Washington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.8 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Beaver Dam, WI before heading back.
