Traveling from Marinette to Kenosha covers 208.3 miles across the state of Wisconsin, making for a straightforward trek through the Midwest. You can expect to spend about 4 hours and 4 minutes on the road, which is manageable as a single-day trip. With 94% of the journey taking place on highways like I-43 and US-41, you should budget approximately $32 for fuel. Since the entire route is contained within the state, you won't face any regional shifts, but the transition from the northern reaches of the state down to the southern border is significant. This drive is designed for efficiency, so it is ideal if you are looking to reach your destination without unnecessary detours.
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
104.2 miles from Marinette, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
124 mi
2h 18m
US 41
47.9 mi
54m
North-South Freeway
24.5 mi
27m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
Hall Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Sheridan Road
0.9 mi
1m
Roosevelt Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 124 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marinette, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Riverside Avenue
28 ft·9 sec·Riverside Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 41
0.2 mi·48 sec·Hall Avenue
3
Continue on US 41
0.1 mi·21 sec·Marinette Avenue
4
Take the exit onto WI 64
1.1 mi·1 min·Hall Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto CTH T
196 ft·16 sec·County Road T
6
Continue on CTH T
0.4 mi·43 sec·County Road T
7
Continue on CTH T
0.8 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Road
8
Turn right onto US 41
48 mi·54 min·US 41
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 170BToward I 43 South: Milwaukee
10
Continue on I 43
124 mi·2 hr 18 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
0.2 mi·16 sec·North-South Freeway
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
15
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
17
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
18
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
19
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
20
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
21
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods near major hubs along the I-43 corridor. Planning for just one stop is sufficient to keep you refreshed throughout the 208.3-mile journey. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $32, it is wise to fill up before leaving Marinette to avoid higher prices along the busier southern stretches. Take advantage of the route's flexibility by checking traffic reports for the North-South Freeway before you head out. Staying proactive about road conditions will ensure your trip remains as efficient as the highway-focused design intends.
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 104.2 miles from Marinette, WI, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.2 miles or 2h 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 15m
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 Marinette, 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 Marinette, WI
This is one driving day of about 208.3 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Marinette, 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 43 for about 124 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 200.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 41 / Hall Avenue
Turn left onto US 41 / Hall Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|CTH T / County Road T
Enter roundabout onto CTH T / County Road T
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
50.6 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 170B
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
8
200.1 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
200.3 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
$32.57 one way
$65.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.76
$71.51
premium
$4.89
$40.09
$80.17
diesel
$5.61
$45.99
$91.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.5
0
$21.87
$10.00
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.23
$8.33
EV Truck/SUV
83.3
1
$29.16
$13.33
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Marinette, WI
Night
in Marinette on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Night
in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
9:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
18 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 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, offering a consistent and reliable experience behind the wheel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed routes, including the North-South Freeway. A notable portion of your trip involves a 124-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-43, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm. Because 94% of the route is highway-based, you won't encounter many technical local roads or unexpected shifts in terrain. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
94% 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: 124 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and US 41. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 41 / Hall Avenue.
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 208.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (US 41 / Hall Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (CTH T / County Road T): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 50.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
829 ft594 ft
Total Climb
338 ft
Total Descent
163 ft
Highest Point
829 ft
~74.4 mi in
Elevation Range
235 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marinette, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East and Chicago.
Wis 94 East
175.8 mi in|~3h 20m|via I 94
Chicago
175.8 mi in|~3h 20m|via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 208.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124 miles on I 43. 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: near the start (US 41 / Hall Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (CTH T / County Road T): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 50.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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.
