Spanning 128.9 miles across the Wisconsin Midwest, this journey from Lodi to Kenosha typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily tackle this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $20 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick transit between these two cities. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, utilizing I-94, the North-South Freeway, and I-39 to get you to your destination efficiently. It is a straightforward, practical connection for anyone looking to traverse this part of the state without complication.
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
64.4 miles from Lodi, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
I 39
17.7 mi
18m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
State Highway 60
3.8 mi
5m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lodi, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on WI 113
34 ft·5 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto WI 60
0.4 mi·1 min·Portage Street
3
Continue on WI 60
3.8 mi·5 min·State Highway 60
4
Enter roundabout
46 ft·2 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
18 mi·18 min·I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
12
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
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
Planning your departure is simple since the 2-hour and 34-minute drive offers plenty of flexibility for a same-day arrival. With only one recommended stop planned into the itinerary, you have the freedom to choose exactly where to pull over for a break depending on your energy levels. Keep a close eye on the traffic flow when merging onto I-94, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your time on the road. Since the total fuel cost is estimated at $20, it is helpful to fill up your tank before leaving Lodi to avoid fluctuating prices along the interstate. Use the moderate length of the trip to your advantage by scheduling your single stop right at the midpoint of your drive to stay fresh.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.4 miles from Lodi, WI, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.4 miles or 1h 11m 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 1m
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 Lodi, 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 Lodi, WI
This is one driving day of about 128.9 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Lodi, 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 64.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 120.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.2 mi into trip|~26m 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
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
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 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
9
96.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
120.7 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.15 one way
$40.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.13
$44.25
premium
$4.89
$24.81
$49.61
diesel
$5.61
$28.46
$56.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.7
0
$13.53
$6.19
Efficient EV
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
EV Truck/SUV
51.6
0
$18.05
$8.25
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Lodi, WI
Late night
in Lodi on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Tuesday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
10 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 34m 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?
With 92% of the trip spent on highways, this drive is undeniably focused on speed and efficiency rather than leisurely backroads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 64.2 miles on I-94. The road personality is that of a standard interstate grind, characterized by fast-moving traffic and wide, predictable lanes. As you transition between the North-South Freeway and the various interstate segments, the environment remains consistently focused on high-speed travel. You should be prepared for a utilitarian driving experience that prioritizes reaching Kenosha as quickly as possible.
92% 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: 64.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in near I 94.
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 20 significant decision points across 128.9 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 22.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lodi, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Cth S: Kenosha, Burlington and Cth S East: Gateway Technical College.
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."
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 128.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m 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 64.2 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 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 22.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Kenosha, WI before heading back.
