Traveling from Lake Delton to Menomonee Falls covers 116.2 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. This straightforward journey through the Wisconsin Midwest is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of roughly $18, it is a cost-effective route for those looking to reach the Milwaukee area quickly. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, making this a highly efficient transit corridor. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it an easy addition to your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.1 miles from Lake Delton, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
55.6 mi
59m
I 90
45 mi
48m
West Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
Wisconsin Dells Parkway South
1.8 mi
3m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 55.6 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Delton, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on West Lake Avenue
64 ft·7 sec·West Lake Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 12; WI 23
0.8 mi·1 min·Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
3
Turn left onto US 12
1.8 mi·3 min·Wisconsin Dells Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 90; I 94
45 mi·48 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
9
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
11
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
12
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
14
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
15
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
16
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the 116.2-mile distance in one go, as no formal stops are strictly necessary for this duration. To ensure a smooth arrival in Menomonee Falls, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you transition off the interstate and onto local roads. Budgeting around $18 for gas is a safe bet, but it is always wise to fill up in Lake Delton before merging onto the highway to avoid potential price fluctuations. Take advantage of the quick travel time to plan your arrival around local traffic peaks, ensuring your transition into the city is as seamless as the drive itself.
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 58.1 miles from Lake Delton, WI, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.6 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Menomonee Falls, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Delton, 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 Lake Delton, WI
This is one driving day of about 116.2 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lake Delton, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 55.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 103.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East, 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.
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
5
3 mi into trip|~6m in|I 90; I 94
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
48 mi into trip|~54m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
103.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
7
103.8 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.17 one way
$36.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.95
$39.89
premium
$4.89
$22.36
$44.72
diesel
$5.61
$25.66
$51.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.20
$5.58
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.17
$4.65
EV Truck/SUV
46.5
0
$16.27
$7.44
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 19, 2026
Origin
Lake Delton, WI
Afternoon
in Lake Delton on Sunday
Local time
12:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Afternoon
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
12:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Cottage Grove, WI
58 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
24 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
2h 17m 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
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...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of your time on the road is spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of I-90 and I-94, with a short transition onto West Main Street to reach your final destination. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on I-94, where you will cruise for 55.6 miles. Because this is primarily an interstate trek, the personality of the road remains consistent and fast-paced throughout the duration. You won't encounter the technical challenges of winding backroads, allowing for a predictable and steady driving experience from start to finish.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 116.2 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Delton, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.
Cth F: Waukesha
103.6 mi in|~1h 54m
Sussex
103.6 mi in|~1h 54m
Cth F North: Waukesha
103.8 mi in|~1h 54m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 116.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.6 miles on I 94. 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 Menomonee Falls, 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles (I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Menomonee Falls, WI before heading back.
