Kenosha to Cadott is 287.1 miles and takes about 5h 35m via I 94 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a primarily highway route, making it a straightforward drive if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within what most drivers can handle without an overnight stop.
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
143.6 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
87.6 mi
1h 34m
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
I 41
28.5 mi
33m
State Highway 27
19.4 mi
28m
County Highway R
6.8 mi
11m
Airport Freeway
4.6 mi
6m
Burlington Road
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 87.6 mi, about 1h 34m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,021 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,576
Quietest
2 AM
~195 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
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 Kenosha, WI and Cadott, 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
4.2 mi·5 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
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1B-AToward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·56 sec
Exit 1BToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
14
Merge onto I 94
10 mi·11 min·East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 88Toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta
20
Keep slight right at fork
197 ft·5 sec
21
Merge onto US 10
0.6 mi·1 min·10th Street
22
Continue on US 10
0.8 mi·1 min·US Highway 10
23
Turn left onto CTH R
0.5 mi·53 sec·County Road R
24
Continue on CTH R
6.8 mi·11 min·County Highway R
25
At end of road, turn right onto US 12; WI 27
1.2 mi·2 min·US 12; WI 27
26
Turn left onto WI 27
19 mi·28 min·State Highway 27
27
Turn left onto CTH X
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Chippewa Street
28
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·North Main Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 35m drive, consider leaving Kenosha in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 287.1 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 87.6 miles on I 94, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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 143.6 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.6 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 63 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cadott, 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 287.1 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Kenosha, 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 87.6 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.8 and 105.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
41.2 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
41.4 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
9
105.9 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.40 one way
$84.80 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.81
$93.61
premium
$4.72
$53.31
$106.61
diesel
$4.80
$54.21
$108.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.1
1
$30.15
$13.78
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.12
$11.48
EV Truck/SUV
114.8
1
$40.19
$18.37
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 1:58PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 1:58PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Cadott, WI
Late night
in Cadott on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 1:58PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 1:58PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 35m 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 168.3
Park Closure: Cross Plains 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?
You'll spend about 94% of your 287.1 miles on highways, with the longest stretch of continuous highway driving being 87.6 miles on I 94. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads closer to Cadott. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits, particularly in the earlier sections of the drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.8 miles in near I 41; I 94; US 41.
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 23 significant decision points across 287.1 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 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; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,060 ft600 ft
Total Climb
972 ft
Total Descent
578 ft
Highest Point
1,060 ft
~123.1 mi in
Elevation Range
460 ft
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 Cadott, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Cth R: Osseo and Augusta.
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 5h 35m. Total distance: 287.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.6 miles on I 94. 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.
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 Cadott, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cadott, WI before the return drive.
