Origin
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Menomonee Falls, WI to Browns Lake, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
42.4 mi
68 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Browns Lake, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 42.4-mile drive from Menomonee Falls, WI to Browns Lake, WI is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Primarily using I-41 and State Highway 36, this route is a good option for a single-day excursion, with a modest fuel cost of around $7. The journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape. With no specific stops recommended, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. This highway-focused drive is designed for efficient travel between these two Wisconsin points.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 16.2 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 36 | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| West Loomis Road | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| US 45 | 5.7 mi | 10m |
| Milwaukee Avenue | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Plank Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Burlington Bypass | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 16.2 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menomonee Falls, WI and Browns Lake, WI.
1
Start on WI 175
21 ft
·
4 sec
·
Appleton Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto Pilgrim Road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Pilgrim Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 41 South, US 45 South
5
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
16 mi
·
21 min
·
I 41; US 41; US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 45
Exit 4
Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
7
Take the exit onto US 45
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 45
Exit 60
Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
4.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 45
Toward WI 100 South, US 45 South
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto US 45; WI 36
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
West Loomis Road
10
Continue on WI 36
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 36
11
Continue on WI 36
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Milwaukee Avenue
12
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 36; WI 83
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Burlington Bypass
13
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
14
Turn right onto CTH A
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Plank Road
15
Turn left onto CTH W
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Browns Lake Drive
16
Turn left onto Cedar Drive
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Cedar Drive
17
Turn left onto Lakehills Drive
242 ft
·
10 sec
·
Lakehills Drive
18
Turn right onto Fairfield
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
Fairfield
19
Turn left onto Hickory Lane
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Hickory Lane
20
Arrive at destination
Hickory Lane
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.2 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 42.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 41; US 41; US 45
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
17.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 4
Toward I 43 South, US 45 South: Beloit
8
18.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 60
Toward US 45, WI 100: 108th Street
8
18.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward WI 100 South, US 45 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WI 100 South, US 45 South
5
42.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
Hickory Lane
Turn left onto Hickory Lane
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.63 one way
$13.26 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.28 | $14.56 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.16 | $16.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.36 | $18.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.45 | $2.04 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.71 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Browns Lake, WI
Late night in Browns Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Franklin, WI
21 mi in
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
1h 5m 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?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 69% of the journey on major roads like I-41 and State Highway 36. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 16.2 miles on I-41, where the pace is generally quick. As you transition to West Loomis Road and then State Highway 36, the drive may offer a slightly different feel, though it remains largely a commuter-style route. Expect a steady flow of traffic, especially on the interstate portions, making for a predictable driving experience.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.2 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 36. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near I 41; US 41; US 45.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42.4 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: at 1.2 miles (I 41; US 41; US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 42.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.2 miles on I 41. 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 Browns Lake, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (I 41; US 41; US 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Browns Lake, WI before heading back.
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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