Connecting Manitowoc Rapids to Kenosha, this 116.9-mile journey across Wisconsin is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes. Because the route is compact, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $18 on fuel, making this an economical choice for a quick regional excursion. You will be traveling entirely within the Midwest, transitioning from the Manitowoc area down through the state toward the Kenosha region. It is a highly practical path for those prioritizing efficiency over winding, scenic detours. Given the highway-focused nature of the drive, it serves as a reliable connection between these two Wisconsin points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.5 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
81.7 mi
1h 33m
North-South Freeway
24.5 mi
27m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
North Rapids Road
1.8 mi
3m
Sheridan Road
0.9 mi
1m
Calumet Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
8th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manitowoc Rapids, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on CTH R
1.8 mi·3 min·North Rapids Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto WI 42
0.3 mi·49 sec·Calumet Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 43
82 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
0.2 mi·16 sec·North-South Freeway
6
Continue on I 94
24 mi·27 min·North-South Freeway
Exit 316-319Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
9
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
11
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
12
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
13
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
14
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
15
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Since this 116.9-mile transit is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route does not require mandatory stops, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially since the trip will cost approximately $18 in gas. Try to avoid peak commuter hours on the North-South Freeway to ensure you maintain that 2 hour and 22 minute estimate. Because you will spend the bulk of your time on I-43, stay alert for changing traffic patterns as you approach the more populated areas near Kenosha. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on a stress-free arrival at your destination.
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 58.5 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.5 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m
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 Manitowoc Rapids, 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 Manitowoc Rapids, WI
This is one driving day of about 116.9 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Manitowoc Rapids, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 81.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 109 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|I 43
Merge onto I 43
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
84.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 94 / North-South Freeway
Continue onto I 94 / North-South Freeway toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, Chicago
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 316-319
Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College...
8
108.7 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
109 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
$18.28 one way
$36.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.07
$40.13
premium
$4.89
$22.50
$44.99
diesel
$5.61
$25.81
$51.62
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: 40.9 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
35.1
0
$12.27
$5.61
Efficient EV
29.2
0
$10.23
$4.68
EV Truck/SUV
46.8
0
$16.37
$7.48
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 16, 2026
Origin
Manitowoc Rapids, WI
Morning
in Manitowoc Rapids on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Morning
in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 to 10 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:50AM CDT until April 19 at 1:40AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:46AM CDT until April 21 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
1 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 22m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by a heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with 91% of your travel occurring on highways like I-43, the North-South Freeway, and Burlington Road. You will settle into a consistent rhythm during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which spans 81.7 miles along I-43. The experience is largely a highway-focused drive, meaning you can expect a steady, predictable pace for the vast majority of the time behind the wheel. As you transition between these interstate segments and regional roads, the driving environment remains functional and efficient. You won't encounter many technical curves, as the route is engineered for direct movement across the state landscape.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.7 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and North-South Freeway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 116.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.4 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): 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 Manitowoc Rapids, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East, Chicago, 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 22m. Total distance: 116.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.7 miles on I 43. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.4 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): 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.
