Origin
Marathon, WI
Late night in Marathon on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marathon, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
177.1 mi
285 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marathon, WI
Andrew Durkin
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Marathon, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is 177.1 miles and takes about 3h 23m via I 41, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive within Wisconsin, moving you from one part of the Midwest to another. With a very high highway share, expect most of your journey to be on major interstates, making for efficient travel. This route is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness over leisurely exploration, as it's designed for a single-day trip.
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
88.5 miles from Marathon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 67.4 mi | 1h 12m |
| US 10 | 51.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 39 | 29.8 mi | 32m |
| US 45 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| WI 29 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Appleton Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| River Crest Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 67.4 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marathon, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on WI 107
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
3
Merge onto WI 29
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 29
4
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
6
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 39; US 10; US 51
7
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 10; WI 66
Exit 158
Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 45
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
11
Merge onto I 41; US 41
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto CTH Q
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
County Line Road
14
Turn slight left
386 ft
·
19 sec
15
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
River Crest Drive
16
Turn left onto WI 175
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Appleton Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 23 minutes, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Consider topping off your fuel before leaving Marathon, as the longest stretch is 67.4 miles on I 41, ensuring you have ample gas for that segment.
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 88.5 miles from Marathon, WI, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.4 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.5 miles or 1h 44m 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 46m
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 Marathon, 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 Marathon, WI
This is one driving day of about 177.1 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Marathon, 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 67.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.5 miles from Marathon, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 8.9 and 175.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
6
13.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
8
43.6 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
94.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
7
175.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.69 one way
$55.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.40 | $60.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.08 | $68.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.10 | $78.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.60 | $8.50 |
| Efficient EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.50 | $7.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.8 | 0 | $24.79 | $11.33 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:53 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 23m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with a 98% highway share, meaning you'll spend almost all your time on major roads like I 41, US 10, and I 39. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.4 miles on I 41. Expect a consistent driving experience characterized by higher speeds and limited distractions as you navigate these main arteries. The route offers a predictable pace, allowing you to maintain a steady speed for the majority of the journey.
98% 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: 67.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.9 miles in near WI 29.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 177.1 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 8.9 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.6 miles (US 10): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marathon, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
8.9 mi in
|
~11m
|
via WI 29
Waupaca
43.3 mi in
|
~49m
|
via US 10; WI 66
Appleton
43.3 mi in
|
~49m
|
via US 10; WI 66
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 177.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.4 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 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. 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 8.9 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Menomonee Falls, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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