Lake Wazeecha to Kenosha is 201 miles and takes about 4 hours 7 minutes via I 41 and US Highway 10, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, entirely within Wisconsin. It's a straightforward drive that should feel familiar to anyone who has traveled through the area before. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s a manageable distance for a weekend getaway or a quick visit.
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
100.5 miles from Lake Wazeecha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
87.4 mi
1h 38m
US Highway 10
38 mi
43m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
Plover Road
12.4 mi
17m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
County Road B
8.6 mi
15m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,046 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,595
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Lake Wazeecha, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Baltic Drive
392 ft·21 sec·Baltic Drive
2
Turn left onto Latvia Avenue
229 ft·10 sec·Latvia Avenue
3
Continue on 54th Street South
370 ft·18 sec·54th Street South
4
Turn right onto CTH W
1.6 mi·2 min·Kellner Road
5
Turn left onto CTH U
3.3 mi·4 min·80th Street South
6
At end of road, turn right onto WI 54
12 mi·17 min·Plover Road
7
Continue on CTH B
8.6 mi·15 min·County Road B
8
Take the ramp onto CTH B
0.2 mi·26 sec·CTH B
Toward US_10_East: Appleton
9
Merge onto US 10; CTH B
38 mi·43 min·US Highway 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
12
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
18
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
20
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
21
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
22
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
23
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
24
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only about 4 hours and 201 miles, you have the flexibility to leave whenever is most convenient. Aiming for a mid-morning departure allows you to avoid early morning traffic and still comfortably reach Kenosha within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I 41 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 87.4-mile stretch on I 41, to ensure you don't need to deviate from your planned route for gas.
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 100.5 miles from Lake Wazeecha, WI, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 44 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenosha, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Wazeecha, 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 Wazeecha, WI
This is one driving day of about 201 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Lake Wazeecha, 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 87.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.4 and 193 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.4 mi into trip|~41m in|US 10; CTH B / US Highway 10
Merge onto US 10; CTH B / US Highway 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
64.4 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
168.2 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
8
192.8 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
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 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
7
193 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, K...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.68 one way
$59.37 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$32.77
$65.54
premium
$4.72
$37.32
$74.64
diesel
$4.80
$37.95
$75.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.3
0
$21.11
$9.65
Efficient EV
50.3
0
$17.59
$8.04
EV Truck/SUV
80.4
1
$28.14
$12.86
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Lake Wazeecha, WI
Late night
in Lake Wazeecha on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Smoke
E 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Areas Of Smoke
NE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
85°F
Rubicon, WI
101 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
8 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
4h 7m 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.
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Cross Plains Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
For 82% of this 201-mile route, you'll be on the highway, with the longest continuous stretch being 87.4 miles on I 41. This means you'll experience mostly highway cruising for the bulk of the trip. Expect to transition to surface roads as you approach your destination in Kenosha. The high percentage of highway driving suggests a pattern of relatively frequent exits and services along the way.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.4 miles in near US 10; CTH B / US Highway 10.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 201 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 26.4 miles (US 10; CTH B / US Highway 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.2 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,075 ft600 ft
Total Climb
364 ft
Total Descent
799 ft
Highest Point
1,075 ft
~14.4 mi in
Elevation Range
475 ft
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 Lake Wazeecha, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Us_10_East: Appleton 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."
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 4h 7m. Total distance: 201 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 miles on I 41. 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 Kenosha, 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 26.4 miles (US 10; CTH B / US Highway 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.4 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.2 miles (I 41; 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Kenosha, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
