Kenosha, WI to Wautoma, WI is 158.6 miles and takes about 3 hours 22 minutes via I 41 and State Highway 21, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, making it a straightforward drive. It's a single-day trip, mostly on highways, so you can expect a relatively quick and efficient transit. Plan for a comfortable drive that should get you to your destination with plenty of time.
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
79.3 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
108.8 mi
2h 2m
State Highway 21
30.2 mi
42m
Airport Freeway
4.6 mi
6m
Burlington Road
3.7 mi
6m
East Main Street
3.7 mi
8m
Washington Road
3 mi
6m
Bannerman Avenue
1.6 mi
4m
Sheridan Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 108.8 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 127 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,044 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,656
Quietest
2 AM
~215 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Wautoma, 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
25 mi·30 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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 119Toward WI 21Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
267 ft·6 sec
14
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
249 ft·6 sec·State Highway 21
15
Continue on WI 21
307 ft·7 sec·State Highway 21
16
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
124 ft·3 sec·Omro Road
17
Continue on WI 21
0.2 mi·23 sec·Omro Road
18
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
131 ft·7 sec·State Highway 21
19
Continue on WI 21
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 21
20
Continue on WI 21
2.2 mi·5 min·East Main Street
21
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi·37 sec·Spruce State Route
22
Turn left onto WI 21
1.0 mi·1 min·West River Drive
23
Continue on WI 21
16 mi·22 min·State Highway 21
24
Continue on WI 21
1.6 mi·4 min·Bannerman Avenue
25
Continue on WI 21; CTH EE
7.8 mi·11 min·State Highway 21
26
Continue on WI 21; WI 73
1.5 mi·3 min·East Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
WI 21; WI 73
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day, 3-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize your time at your destination. The 158.6-mile trip is easily manageable without needing to split it. You'll have a $25 fuel budget, which should cover the distance comfortably. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 100 miles on I 41, so plan for a fuel or rest stop before you hit that part if needed. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 41 to State Highway 21 as your primary route changes.
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 79.3 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.8 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.3 miles or 1h 39m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wautoma, 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 158.6 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 41 for about 108.8 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 1 and 121.5 — 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.
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
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
121.5 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward WI 21
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 119
Toward WI 21
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.46 one way
$52.91 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$28.75
$57.51
premium
$5.26
$32.84
$65.68
diesel
$6.18
$38.58
$77.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.6
0
$16.65
$7.61
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.88
$6.34
EV Truck/SUV
63.4
0
$22.20
$10.15
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Kenosha, WI
Morning
in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Cloudy
W 15 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:18AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 12:59AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Wautoma, WI
Morning
in Wautoma on Saturday
Local time
9:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 13 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:18AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 12:59AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
48°F
Rubicon, WI
79 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
4 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
3h 22m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 158.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 91% highway, with the bulk of your time spent on I 41. You'll encounter a long stretch of 108.8 miles on I 41 before transitioning to State Highway 21. Expect a mostly highway experience until you approach Wautoma, where you'll transition to more local roads. The frequent exits on I 41 mean you'll have opportunities for services or breaks.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.8 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 21. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 158.6 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,159 ft600 ft
Total Climb
877 ft
Total Descent
613 ft
Highest Point
1,159 ft
~68 mi in
Elevation Range
559 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 Wautoma, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Appleton.
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 3h 22m. Total distance: 158.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.8 miles on I 41. 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 Wautoma, 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 1 miles (CTH S / Washington Road): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Wautoma, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
