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Trip from Kenosha, WI to Elroy, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

185.9 mi

299 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 29m ★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Kenosha County, Wisconsin and part of the Chicago metropolitan area, known as Chicagoland

Kenosha, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Elroy, WI, WI

Elroy, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 185.9-mile drive from Kenosha, WI, to Elroy, WI, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes. You'll primarily be on the East-West Freeway, I-90, and I-94, with 87% of your journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $29 for this Midwest-to-Midwest excursion. The route is a straightforward, highway-focused experience, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With only one recommended stop, this drive is designed for steady progress.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

93 miles from Kenosha, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East-West Freeway 63.8 mi 1h 9m
I 90 29.6 mi 31m
I 94 29.1 mi 31m
I 41 28.5 mi 33m
County Road O 12.6 mi 17m
US 12 5.8 mi 7m
Airport Freeway 4.6 mi 6m
Burlington Road 3.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: East-West Freeway — 63.8 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Elroy, 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 317 Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac Use 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 Lac Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 1B-A Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 56 sec
Exit 1B Toward I 94 West: Madison Use 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 240 Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

30 mi · 31 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 79 Toward CTH N, CTH HH: Lyndon Station
19

Keep slight left at fork

127 ft · 5 sec
20

Turn left onto CTH HH; CTH N

0.5 mi · 1 min · County Road HH
21

Continue on CTH HH; CTH N

0.2 mi · 32 sec · North Wisconsin Street
22

Turn right onto US 12; WI 16

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Flint Street
23

Continue on US 12; WI 16

5.8 mi · 7 min · US 12;WI 16
24

Turn left onto CTH O

6.2 mi · 8 min · County Road O
25

At end of road, turn right onto CTH G; CTH O

0.6 mi · 50 sec · County Road G
26

Turn left onto CTH O

6.4 mi · 8 min · County Road O
27

Continue on CTH O

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Street
28

At end of road, turn left onto CTH O

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Franklin Street
29

Turn right onto WI 80; WI 82

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Main Street
30

Turn left onto Liberty Street

108 ft · 4 sec · Liberty Street
31

Arrive at destination

Liberty Street

Trip Plan

For this 185.9-mile drive, leaving Kenosha in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and minimize potential rush hour traffic. The 3 hour and 41 minute duration means you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's a budget-friendly journey. Since the longest stretch without a stop is under 64 miles, you have flexibility in when you choose to pull over. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially if traveling during inclement weather, as the highway-focused nature means you'll be covering ground quickly.

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 93 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 41 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93 miles or 1h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elroy, 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 185.9 miles and 3h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 East-West Freeway for about 63.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cottage Grove, WI

93 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

West Allis, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cottage Grove, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93 miles from Kenosha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break

BLAK Coffee Kenosha

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

East View Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kenosha, Wisconsin

0.1 mi

BLAK Coffee Kenosha

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

Visit website

East View Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+12622074140

Visit website

Summer Moon Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14144882708

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Valentine Coffee Roasters on Vliet Street

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14149888018

Visit website

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Poynette Rest Area 12

0 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.1 mi from route

Kenosha Truck Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Portage Rest Area 11

0.1 mi from route

Johnson Creek Rest Area 14

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.4 mi from route

Mauston Rest Area 10

2.4 mi from route

Franklin Woods Nature Center Pavilion

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Franklin, Wisconsin

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+14147452760

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

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

$29.06 one way

$58.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.91 $63.82
premium $4.89 $35.77 $71.55
diesel $5.61 $41.04 $82.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.8 0 $19.52 $8.92
Efficient EV 46.5 0 $16.27 $7.44
EV Truck/SUV 74.4 0 $26.03 $11.90

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Kenosha, WI

Morning in Kenosha on Tuesday

Local time

7:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elroy, WI

Morning in Elroy on Tuesday

Local time

7:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Cottage Grove, WI

93 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

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

3h 41m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

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...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 160.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a significant 87% of the 185.9 miles on major freeways like the East-West Freeway, I-90, and I-94. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.8 miles on the East-West Freeway, offering a consistent pace. This means you can expect a steady driving experience for the majority of your 3 hour and 41 minute journey, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours off the main path. The focus is on covering ground efficiently rather than intricate scenic exploration.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.8 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 90. 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 Effort 9/10

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 24 significant decision points across 185.9 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 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 Elroy, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Cth N and Cth Hh: Lyndon Station.

Fond Du Lac

30.8 mi in | ~40m | via I 41; I 94; US 41

Milwaukee

41.2 mi in | ~55m

Eau Claire

105.9 mi in | ~2h 6m | via I 94

Cth N

164.6 mi in | ~3h 9m

Cth Hh: Lyndon Station

164.6 mi in | ~3h 9m

About the Cities

Starting in Kenosha, WI

Full guide →

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."

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 185.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 63.8 miles on East-West Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 14 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 Elroy, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Elroy, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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