Menomonee Falls, WI to Ladysmith, WI is 279.8 miles and takes about 5h 36m via I 41 and WI 29, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. You'll primarily be on interstate highways for most of the drive, making it a fairly straightforward transit. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. Plan for around $44 in fuel costs to cover the nearly 280 miles.
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
139.9 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
68.8 mi
1h 13m
WI 29
66.3 mi
1h 17m
US Highway 10
46.6 mi
54m
State Highway 27
33.7 mi
50m
I 39
23.3 mi
25m
US 45
15.2 mi
17m
County Highway O
8.4 mi
11m
US 10
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 68.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,166 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,713
Quietest
1 AM
~126 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Menomonee Falls, WI and Ladysmith, 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
0.3 mi·44 sec·Pilgrim Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Appleton, West Bend
5
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
7.2 mi·7 min·I 41; US 41; US 45
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto US 45
15 mi·17 min·US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
47 mi·54 min·US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
11
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
12
Take the exit onto US 10
6.6 mi·7 min·US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
13
Continue on I 39; US 51
23 mi·25 min·I 39; US 51
14
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
3.2 mi·3 min·US 51; WI 29
15
Take the exit onto WI 29
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·WI 29
Toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto CTH G
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway G
17
Turn left onto CTH O
8.4 mi·11 min·County Highway O
18
Turn right onto WI 27
13 mi·19 min·State Highway 27
19
Continue on WI 27
0.6 mi·50 sec·South 3rd Street
20
Turn right onto WI 27; WI 64
0.9 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
21
Continue on WI 27; WI 64
21 mi·30 min·State Highway 27
22
Continue on WI 27
1.1 mi·1 min·West 9th Street South
23
Turn right onto Miner Avenue West
0.3 mi·1 min·Miner Avenue West
24
Turn right
443 ft·33 sec
25
Turn right
36 ft·2 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 36-minute estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample flexibility. You can complete this route comfortably within a single day, so there's no need to split the drive. The longest stretch without an exit is about 69 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, it’s wise to top off your tank before departing Menomonee Falls to avoid any potential price differences in more rural areas later in the drive.
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 139.9 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.8 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 62 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.9 miles or 2h 39m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladysmith, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Menomonee Falls, 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 Menomonee Falls, WI
This is one driving day of about 279.8 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Menomonee Falls, 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 68.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 167.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.6 mi into trip|~11m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 45 North: New London
5
71.2 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 45
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
167.4 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|WI 29
Take the exit onto WI 29 toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WI 29 West: Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.67 one way
$93.35 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$50.73
$101.46
premium
$5.26
$57.93
$115.86
diesel
$6.18
$68.07
$136.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.9
1
$29.38
$13.43
Efficient EV
70
0
$24.48
$11.19
EV Truck/SUV
111.9
1
$39.17
$17.91
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Menomonee Falls, WI
Morning
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Widespread Frost
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Ladysmith, WI
Morning
in Ladysmith on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
27°F
Widespread Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
5 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
5h 36m 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?
Expect to spend about 94% of your time on highways, covering 279.8 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 68.8 miles on I 41. The transition from the interstate system to WI 29 and US Highway 10 will involve a shift from high-speed cruising to more typical surface road conditions. You'll notice a change in exit frequency as you move from the interstate to state and US highways.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.8 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and WI 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near I 41; US 41.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 279.8 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 8.6 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,371 ft764 ft
Total Climb
929 ft
Total Descent
645 ft
Highest Point
1,371 ft
~199.9 mi in
Elevation Range
607 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Menomonee Falls, WI to Ladysmith, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Chippewa Falls along the way.
Ladysmith is the largest city in Rusk County, Wisconsin. With a 2020 population of roughly 3200, it is also the county seat of Rusk County. Ladysmith is the only city on the main fork of the Flambeau River and there are several parks along the river as it bends through the city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 279.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m 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 68.8 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Ladysmith, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ladysmith, WI before the return drive.
