Lima, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is 255.1 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 94 and US Highway 10, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Given the relatively short duration, it's a convenient option for a quick trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
127.5 miles from Lima, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
206.1 mi
3h 40m
US Highway 10
28.6 mi
39m
West Main Street
6.8 mi
14m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
10th Street
3.3 mi
5m
County Highway V
1.5 mi
3m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 206.1 mi, about 3h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lima, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on CTH V
1.5 mi·3 min·County Highway V
2
Turn left onto US 10
9.7 mi·13 min·US Highway 10
3
Continue on US 10
2.2 mi·4 min·West Main Street
4
Continue on US 10
8.9 mi·12 min·US Highway 10
5
Continue on US 10
0.4 mi·1 min·Mondovi Street West
6
Continue on US 10
10 mi·13 min·US Highway 10
7
Continue on US 10; US 53
3.3 mi·5 min·10th Street
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
9
Merge onto I 94
151 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
13
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
15
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
16
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
18
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
19
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
20
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 5 hours, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Menomonee Falls comfortably. The longest stretch without a major road change is 206.1 miles on I 94, so plan your stops accordingly. Given the fuel cost estimate of $40, it's wise to fill up before you leave Lima, WI, or at a major exit along I 94 if needed. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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 127.5 miles from Lima, WI, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.1 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 56 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.5 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Lima, 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 Lima, WI
This is one driving day of about 255.1 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Lima, 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 94 for about 206.1 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 36.4 and 250 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
36.4 mi into trip|~55m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
186.9 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
242.5 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
242.7 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
5
250 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|CTH F; CTH V / Town Line Road
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V / Town Line Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.88 one way
$79.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.79
$87.58
premium
$4.89
$49.09
$98.18
diesel
$5.61
$56.32
$112.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.5
0
$26.79
$12.24
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.32
$10.20
EV Truck/SUV
102
1
$35.71
$16.33
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Lima, WI
Morning
in Lima on Sunday
Local time
11:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Morning
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
11:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
16 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 59m 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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 131.9
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on I 94, accounting for 92% of the total mileage. You'll experience a long stretch of 206.1 miles on I 94 before transitioning to US Highway 10 and then West Main Street. Expect a consistent highway pace for the majority of your travel, with a high density of exits likely as you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 206.1 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US Highway 10. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 36.4 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 255.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 255.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 206.1 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Menomonee Falls, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
