Medford, WI to Kenosha, WI is 267.3 miles and takes about 5h 22m via I 41, US 10, and WI 29, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving through the Midwest region. It's primarily a highway drive that should feel straightforward for a single-day excursion. Expect a familiar interstate experience for most of the way, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
133.6 miles from Medford, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
87.4 mi
1h 38m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
WI 29
33.9 mi
40m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
State Highway 13
11.8 mi
17m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,046 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,595
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on South 4th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South 4th Street
2
Turn left onto East Perkins Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·East Perkins Street
3
Turn slight right
259 ft·9 sec
4
Turn straight onto WI 13
0.9 mi·2 min·South 8th Street
5
Continue on WI 13
12 mi·17 min·State Highway 13
6
Continue on WI 13
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
7
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·WI 29 Business
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
9
Merge onto WI 29
29 mi·33 min·WI 29
10
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi·6 min·WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, MadisonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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
12
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
13
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 10; WI 66
Exit 158Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi·1 hr·US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, WaupacaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
17
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
23
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
25
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
26
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
27
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
28
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
29
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 22m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is advisable to allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can decide whether to break up the 87.4-mile stretch on I 41 or push through it. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before departing Medford, as services can be spread out on longer highway segments. Keep an eye on the exit count as you get closer to Kenosha, as this indicates increasing development and potential for congestion.
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 133.6 miles from Medford, WI, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 59 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 20m
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 Medford, 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 Medford, WI
This is one driving day of about 267.3 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Medford, 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 87.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 45 and 259.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
45 mi into trip|~1h 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
8
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
9
234.5 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
259.1 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
$39.47 one way
$78.95 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$43.58
$87.16
premium
$4.72
$49.63
$99.26
diesel
$4.80
$50.47
$100.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.2
0
$28.07
$12.83
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.39
$10.69
EV Truck/SUV
106.9
1
$37.42
$17.11
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Medford, WI
Late night
in Medford on Sunday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 9 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:55AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:55AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
85°F
Fall River, WI
134 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
2 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
5h 22m 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 route is predominantly highway, with 96% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 87.4 miles on I 41 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive, so prepare for a significant amount of time on the interstate. Expect frequent exits and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 45 miles in near WI 29.
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 21 significant decision points across 267.3 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 45 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.7 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,472 ft600 ft
Total Climb
288 ft
Total Descent
1,160 ft
Highest Point
1,472 ft
Elevation Range
872 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medford, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
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."
Top landmarks
•Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail — prison in Kenosha, United States of America
•Kenosha Light — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
•Kenosha North Pier Light — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 267.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m 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 87.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 45 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.7 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kenosha, WI before the return drive.
