This 215.3-mile drive from Kenosha, WI to Wausaukee, WI takes approximately 4 hours and 14 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-43, US-141, and the North-South Freeway, with 96% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $34. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive through the Midwest that doesn't require an overnight stop. Plan for a single stop along the way to break up the journey.
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
107.7 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
97.5 mi
1h 44m
US 141
42.6 mi
54m
North-South Freeway
28.2 mi
36m
I 41
22.6 mi
24m
US 41
15.4 mi
16m
Burlington Road
3.7 mi
6m
Washington Road
3 mi
6m
Sheridan Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 97.5 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Wausaukee, 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: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 43; WI 57
98 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 43; WI 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 192 AToward US 41 North, US 141 North: Marinette, Iron Mountain
10
Merge onto US 41; US 141
15 mi·16 min·US 41; US 141
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 141
43 mi·54 min·US 141
Exit 187Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain
12
Turn left
31 ft·7 sec
13
Turn left
20 ft·1 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing Kenosha in the morning will allow you to reach Wausaukee with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major exit is 97.5 miles on I-43, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting that segment. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $34, this trip offers flexibility. Consider leaving Kenosha early to maximize your time at your destination in Wausaukee, or take advantage of the shorter drive to make an unscheduled detour if something catches your eye.
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 107.7 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.5 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 47 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.7 miles or 2h 9m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wausaukee, 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 215.3 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 97.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 172.7 — 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
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
7
156.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 41 North, US 141 North: Marinette, Iron Mountain
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 192 A
Toward US 41 North, US 141 North: Marinette, Ir...
7
172.7 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 141
Keep slight left at fork onto US 141 toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 187
Toward US 141: Crivitz, Iron Mountain
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.66 one way
$67.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.96
$73.91
premium
$4.89
$41.43
$82.87
diesel
$5.61
$47.54
$95.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.61
$10.33
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.84
$8.61
EV Truck/SUV
86.1
1
$30.14
$13.78
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 16, 2026
Origin
Kenosha, WI
Morning
in Kenosha on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 to 10 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wausaukee, WI
Morning
in Wausaukee on Tuesday
Local time
6:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 96% of the 215.3 miles on high-speed roads like I-43 and US-141. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 97.5 miles on I-43, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely a freeway experience, the transition to US-141 and the North-South Freeway will offer a slightly different feel as you continue north through Wisconsin. This route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.5 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 141. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 215.3 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 1 miles (CTH S / Washington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): 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.
On the drive from Kenosha, WI to Wausaukee, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Mountain along the way.
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 4h 14m. Total distance: 215.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.5 miles on I 43. 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 Wausaukee, 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 1 miles (CTH S / Washington Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Wausaukee, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
