Traveling from Kenosha to Cottage Grove is a straightforward 104.3-mile journey across Wisconsin that typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Because this is a compact trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend roughly $16 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable regional drive. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, keeping your travel time efficient as you navigate from the southeastern corner of the state toward the Madison area. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the predictability of this highway-focused path makes planning simple and stress-free.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East-West Freeway
59.5 mi
1h 4m
I 41
28.5 mi
33m
Airport Freeway
4.6 mi
6m
Burlington Road
3.7 mi
6m
Washington Road
3 mi
6m
North Main Street
1.5 mi
2m
Sheridan Road
1 mi
2m
County Highway N
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Cottage Grove, 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
49 mi·52 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 244Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage GroveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
200 ft·3 sec·County Highway N
18
Continue on CTH N
511 ft·8 sec·County Highway N
19
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
90 ft·1 sec·County Highway N
20
Continue on CTH N
0.8 mi·1 min·County Highway N
21
Continue on CTH N
1.5 mi·2 min·North Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
CTH N
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns around major freeway interchanges is a smart move to ensure you maintain your estimated arrival window. Given that there are no mandatory stops built into the route, you can easily power through the entire 104.3 miles without needing to refuel or break unless you prefer to take a breather. If you want to keep your trip as efficient as possible, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the main freeway sections. Planning your departure to avoid the morning or evening rush will make your time behind the wheel much smoother.
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 52.2 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 8m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottage Grove, 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 104.3 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Kenosha, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 59.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.8 and 101.7 — 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
8
101.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
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 244
Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.31 one way
$32.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.90
$35.81
premium
$4.89
$20.07
$40.14
diesel
$5.61
$23.03
$46.06
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: 36.5 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
31.3
0
$10.95
$5.01
Efficient EV
26.1
0
$9.13
$4.17
EV Truck/SUV
41.7
0
$14.60
$6.68
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
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cottage Grove, WI
Late night
in Cottage Grove on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
2 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 5m 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 high-speed experience, as this route is comprised of 89% highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the East-West Freeway, I-41, and the Airport Freeway, which provide a consistent, high-capacity road surface. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 59.5 miles on the East-West Freeway, allowing you to settle into a steady pace for the majority of the trip. While you won't encounter technical twists or slow backroads, the transition between these major arteries defines the mechanical feel of the drive. It is a classic Midwestern interstate commute that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenery.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.5 mi on East-West Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 41. 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 15 significant decision points across 104.3 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.
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 Cottage Grove, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Milwaukee.
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 5m. Total distance: 104.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.5 miles on East-West Freeway. 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 Cottage Grove, 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 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cottage Grove, WI before heading back.
