If you are planning a trip from Marion to Menomonee Falls, you are looking at a straightforward 121.7-mile drive across the Wisconsin Midwest. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 27 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day journey that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the trip is relatively short, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for a mid-route hotel stay. This highway-focused path provides a direct connection between these two locations, prioritizing efficiency over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.9 miles from Marion, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
67.4 mi
1h 12m
US Highway 45
29.7 mi
40m
US 45
20.2 mi
25m
South Main Street
1.6 mi
3m
Appleton Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
River Crest Drive
0.4 mi
1m
County Line Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 67.4 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on WI 110
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 45
7.9 mi·11 min·US 45
Use the slight right lane.
3
Turn right onto US 45; WI 22; CTH D
0.8 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
4
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
24 mi·32 min·US Highway 45
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 45
110 ft·6 sec·US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
6
Continue on US 45
5.9 mi·7 min·US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
9
Merge onto I 41; US 41
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 52Toward CTH Q: County Line RoadUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto CTH Q
0.1 mi·18 sec·County Line Road
12
Turn slight left
386 ft·19 sec
13
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·River Crest Drive
14
Turn left onto WI 175
0.8 mi·2 min·Appleton Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Because this is a manageable 2.5-hour trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road early if you want to avoid peak traffic periods near the more populated areas of your destination. Since the journey is short and lacks mandatory stops, you can easily tackle the entire 121.7 miles in one sitting, though pulling over to stretch during the transition to the 67.4-mile stretch of I-41 is a smart way to stay refreshed. Keep your fuel gauge in mind before leaving Marion, as $18 is a solid estimate for the trip, but topping off before you merge onto the main highway system will give you peace of mind throughout the drive.
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 60.9 miles from Marion, WI, or about 1h 19m 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 19m 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 Menomonee Falls, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marion, 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 Marion, WI
This is one driving day of about 121.7 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Marion, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
The midpoint is around 60.9 miles from Marion, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 120.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|US 45
Turn right onto US 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
33.3 mi into trip|~47m in|US 45 / US Highway 45
Enter roundabout onto US 45 / US Highway 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
8
39.2 mi into trip|~55m 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
5
52.7 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
120.1 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
$19.03 one way
$38.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.89
$41.78
premium
$4.89
$23.42
$46.84
diesel
$5.61
$26.87
$53.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.5
0
$12.78
$5.84
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
EV Truck/SUV
48.7
0
$17.04
$7.79
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 12, 2026
Origin
Marion, WI
Night
in Marion on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 7 to 10 mph96% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:34AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Night
in Menomonee Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
New London, WI
61 mi in
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
20 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 27m 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 route is characterized by a significant 96% reliance on major highways, primarily utilizing US Highway 45 and I-41. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising at speed, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 67.4 miles on I-41. While the drive is heavily focused on fast-paced interstate travel, the transition between these major arteries keeps the experience moving quickly. Do not expect technical winding roads or slow local routes; instead, anticipate a steady, high-capacity highway drive that emphasizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss. It is a functional, no-nonsense path for those who value travel speed.
96% 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: 67.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 45. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 45.
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 121.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.8 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 39.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,105 ft761 ft
Total Climb
602 ft
Total Descent
598 ft
Highest Point
1,105 ft
~106.5 mi in
Elevation Range
344 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 121.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.
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 0.8 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (US 45 / US Highway 45): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 39.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Menomonee Falls, WI before heading back.
