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Trip from Kenosha, WI to Washington, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
243.6 mi
392 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 25m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 45m
3 PM
5h 49m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenosha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Washington, WI
Paula Nardini
Trip Overview
Kenosha to Washington, WI is 243.6 miles and takes about 5h 37m via I 43 and WI 54, with a fuel budget near $38 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 straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, with a minimal need for overnight stops.
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
121.8 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 43 | 91.9 mi | 1h 38m |
| WI 54 | 33 mi | 37m |
| North-South Freeway | 28.2 mi | 36m |
| WI 57 | 27.1 mi | 42m |
| I 41 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| State Highway 42 | 12.5 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 42/57 | 10.7 mi | 16m |
| Washington Island Ferry Line | 4.2 mi | 30m |
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 91.9 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-43
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 155 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,136 veh/hr typical · worst 2,715
Quietest
2 AM
~124 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Washington, 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 left at fork onto I 94
28 mi
·
36 min
·
North-South Freeway
Toward I 43 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 43; WI 57
92 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 43; WI 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WI 54, WI 57: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
11
Merge onto WI 54; WI 57
33 mi
·
37 min
·
WI 54; WI 57
12
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 42/57
Use the straight lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
106 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 42/57
14
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 42/57
15
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 42/57
16
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 42/57
17
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Egg Harbor Road
18
Turn slight right onto WI 57
27 mi
·
42 min
·
WI 57
19
At end of road, turn right onto WI 42
10 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 42
20
Continue on WI 42
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 42
21
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
22
Continue on Washington Island Ferry Line
4.2 mi
·
30 min
·
Washington Island Ferry Line
23
Continue on CTH W
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Lobdell Point Road
24
Turn left onto CTH W
2.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Main Road
25
Arrive at destination
CTH W
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 37m duration, departing Kenosha in the morning should allow you to reach Washington, WI with ample daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before the longest stretch on I 43. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially during the 91.9-mile segment on I 43 where services might be less frequent. The drive is manageable in one day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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 121.8 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.9 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.8 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 243.6 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 43 for about 91.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.8 miles from Kenosha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.9 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.
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Kenosha Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Maribel Rest Area 51
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 150.8 — 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.
5
7.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the ramp toward I 41 North, I 94 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West
5
8.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 41; I 94; US 41
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
30.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 94 / North-South Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / North-South Freeway toward I 43 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 43 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
5
150.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward WI 54, WI 57: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 54, WI 57: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.64 one way
$81.27 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $44.16 | $88.33 |
| premium | $5.26 | $50.44 | $100.87 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $59.26 | $118.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.1 | 0 | $25.58 | $11.69 |
| Efficient EV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.32 | $9.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.10 | $15.59 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Kenosha, WI
Morning in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Washington, WI
Morning in Washington on Sunday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Brussels, WI
122 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
7 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 37m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 243.6 miles on major roads like I 43 and North-South Freeway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 91.9 miles on I 43 before transitioning. The shift from highway to surface roads will likely become noticeable around the point where WI 54 begins to dominate the latter part of your travel. Expect relatively smooth cruising for the majority of the drive.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.9 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and WI 54. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near CTH S / Washington Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 243.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CTH S / Washington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
888 ft
593 ft
Total Climb
633 ft
Total Descent
561 ft
Highest Point
888 ft
~139.2 mi in
Elevation Range
295 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kenosha, WI to Washington, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Algoma along the way.
Algoma
150.8 mi in
|
~2h 55m
About the Cities
Starting in Kenosha, WI
Full guide →Founded 1835
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
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 5h 37m. Total distance: 243.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.9 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Washington, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CTH S / Washington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Washington, WI before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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