Traveling from Kimberly to Milwaukee covers 111.4 miles across the Wisconsin Midwest, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 9 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since the path is entirely contained within the state of Wisconsin, you will find yourself moving through familiar regional terrain throughout the drive. Whether you are heading south for business or a weekend getaway, the efficiency of this connection makes it a very practical option for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.7 miles from Kimberly, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
93.7 mi
1h 43m
Tri-County Expressway
6.4 mi
7m
East-West Freeway
5.7 mi
8m
South Railroad Street
1 mi
1m
County Road CE
0.8 mi
1m
Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
0.7 mi
<1m
North Milwaukee Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 93.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, WI and Milwaukee, WI.
1
Start on West Kimberly Avenue
67 ft·8 sec·West Kimberly Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Railroad Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Railroad Street
3
Enter roundabout onto South Railroad Street
85 ft·4 sec·South Railroad Street
4
Continue on South Railroad Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Railroad Street
5
Turn straight onto CTH CE
0.4 mi·32 sec·County Road CE
6
Enter roundabout onto CTH CE
164 ft·2 sec·County Road CE
7
Continue on CTH CE
0.4 mi·36 sec·County Road CE
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on CTH CE
0.1 mi·17 sec·East College Avenue
9
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto WI 441
6.4 mi·7 min·Tri-County Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on WI 441; US 10
0.7 mi·47 sec·Roland Kampo Memorial Bridge
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 287 BToward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, OshkoshUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 41; US 41
94 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 38A-BToward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, MadisonUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 38AToward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: MilwaukeeUse the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 94
4.7 mi·6 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.0 mi·1 min·East-West Freeway
Exit 310CToward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 1EToward Jackson Street, Van Buren Street
20
Turn slight right
309 ft·14 sec
Toward Jackson Street SouthUse the right lane.
21
Turn right onto East Saint Paul Avenue
0.1 mi·24 sec·East Saint Paul Avenue
22
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·47 sec·North Milwaukee Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 18; WI 32
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple given the quick 2-hour duration, but keeping an eye on traffic patterns near Milwaukee is always a smart move. Since this route is a direct highway run with no required stops, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or break up the 111.4-mile trip at your convenience. Budgeting about $17 for fuel ensures you are covered for the trip, though it is always wise to keep a little extra set aside for fluctuating local prices. Because the longest stretch on I-41 lasts for nearly 94 miles, make sure you are comfortable with extended periods of highway driving before you head out. A helpful tip for this specific transit is to check local traffic reports for the East-West Freeway before you hit the road to avoid potential congestion as you approach the city.
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 55.7 miles from Kimberly, WI, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.7 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.7 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milwaukee, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, WI
This is one driving day of about 111.4 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Kimberly, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 93.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 109.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, Oshkosh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 287 B
Toward I 41 South, US 41 South: Milwaukee, Oshk...
8
103.8 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
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 38A-B
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Milwaukee, Madison
9
104.1 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 38A
Toward I 94 East, I 43 South Alternate: Milwauk...
9
109.8 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|I 794 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794 / East-West Freeway toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.42 one way
$34.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.12
$38.24
premium
$4.89
$21.44
$42.88
diesel
$5.61
$24.60
$49.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.70
$5.35
Efficient EV
27.9
0
$9.75
$4.46
EV Truck/SUV
44.6
0
$15.60
$7.13
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
Kimberly, WI
Late night
in Kimberly on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Milwaukee, WI
Late night
in Milwaukee on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
15 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
2h 9m 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 highly efficient, highway-focused experience as you navigate this route, with 95% of your travel spent on major thoroughfares. You will rely heavily on I-41, the Tri-County Expressway, and the East-West Freeway to bridge the gap between Kimberly and Milwaukee. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a long, uninterrupted 93.7-mile stretch on I-41. While the road is designed for speed and directness rather than winding scenic detours, the consistent pace allows for a predictable transit. You will spend the vast majority of your journey focused on maintaining steady highway speeds before transitioning into the urban infrastructure near your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.7 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and Tri-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 111.4 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 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 Kimberly, WI and Milwaukee, WI, road signs point toward Oshkosh and Madison.
Oshkosh
9.3 mi in|~12m
Madison
103.8 mi in|~1h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 111.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.7 miles on I 41. 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 Milwaukee, 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 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 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 Milwaukee, WI before heading back.
