If you are planning a trip from Menomonee Falls to Marion, you are looking at a manageable 122.6-mile journey through the Wisconsin countryside. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes behind the wheel, making this a straightforward drive that works perfectly as a single-day excursion. You should budget roughly $19 for fuel, keeping the trip cost-effective for a quick getaway. Because the route remains entirely within the Midwest region, you will find a consistent, familiar landscape throughout your transit. Since there are no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to power through the distance or break it up as you see fit. It is an ideal route for travelers who value efficiency and want to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.3 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
68.8 mi
1h 13m
US Highway 45
23.8 mi
33m
US 45
18.1 mi
21m
West Madison Street
7.9 mi
12m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Pilgrim Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 68.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menomonee Falls, WI and Marion, 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 right at fork onto US 45
2.9 mi·3 min·US 45
Exit 273Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the straight lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto US 45
125 ft·7 sec·US Highway 45
Toward US 45 North: New London
12
Continue on US 45
24 mi·32 min·US Highway 45
Toward US 45 North: New LondonUse the straight / left lanes.
13
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
14
Turn left onto US 45
7.9 mi·12 min·West Madison Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto WI 110
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
WI 110
Trip Plan
To get the most out of your 2-hour and 28-minute drive, consider departing during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the I-41 corridor. Since there are no formal stops programmed into this route, you have the total freedom to pace the journey according to your own energy levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Menomonee Falls, as the $19 fuel estimate is a solid baseline for your planning. Given the direct nature of the trip, you can easily complete the entire 122.6-mile distance in one go. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay attentive to highway signage when transitioning from I-41 to US-45, as staying on the correct path is key to maintaining your estimated arrival time.
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 61.3 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI, or about 1h 7m 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.3 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, 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 122.6 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
The midpoint is around 61.3 miles from Menomonee Falls, 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 68.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 121.8 — 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
8
86.4 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 273
Toward US 45 North: New London
6
121.8 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|WI 110 / North Main Street
Turn left onto WI 110 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.17 one way
$38.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.04
$42.09
premium
$4.89
$23.59
$47.19
diesel
$5.61
$27.07
$54.14
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: 42.9 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
36.8
0
$12.87
$5.88
Efficient EV
30.7
0
$10.73
$4.90
EV Truck/SUV
49
0
$17.16
$7.85
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
Menomonee Falls, WI
Night
in Menomonee Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 to 10 mph71% 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
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
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 28m 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 drive is heavily highway-focused, with 90% of your time spent cruising on major arteries like I-41 and US Highway 45. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 68.8 miles along I-41. As you transition from the interstate onto US-45, the road's personality shifts slightly, requiring you to remain alert as you navigate the changing traffic patterns. Expect a predictable experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, technical backroads. By maintaining this high highway percentage, you can navigate the 122.6-mile distance with minimal navigation stress and consistent travel speeds.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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 US Highway 45. 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 13 significant decision points across 122.6 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
1,123 ft746 ft
Total Climb
662 ft
Total Descent
666 ft
Highest Point
1,123 ft
~15.3 mi in
Elevation Range
376 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 Marion, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
8.6 mi in|~11m|via I 41; US 41
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 122.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.
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 Marion, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Marion, WI before heading back.
