Origin
Menomonee Falls, WI
Morning in Menomonee Falls on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Menomonee Falls, WI to Tomah, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
164 mi
264 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 8m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 30m
8 PM
3h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Tomah, WI
SHOX ART
Trip Overview
This 164-mile drive from Menomonee Falls, WI, to Tomah, WI, is an easy one-day trip, taking about 3 hours and 7 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-90 and I-94, with a short section of the East-West Freeway, making it a highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $26, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. The Midwest regions of Wisconsin offer a straightforward journey, perfect for those looking for efficiency. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 65.3 mi | 1h 10m |
| East-West Freeway | 54.8 mi | 58m |
| I 94 | 29.1 mi | 31m |
| Redford Boulevard | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Main Street | 3.4 mi | 7m |
| West Main Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Waukesha Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 12 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 65.3 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menomonee Falls, WI and Tomah, WI.
1
Start on WI 175
21 ft
·
7 sec
·
Appleton Avenue
2
Turn right onto Main Street
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on CTH F
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
4
Enter roundabout onto CTH F; CTH V
127 ft
·
7 sec
·
Town Line Road
5
Continue on CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Town Line Road
6
Turn right onto CTH F
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
7
Turn left onto CTH F
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Waukesha Avenue
8
Continue on CTH F
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Redford Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
10
Merge onto I 94; WI 164
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 43
Toward US 12, WI 16: Tomah
16
Turn straight onto US 12; WI 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 12
17
Continue on US 12; WI 16
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Clifton Street
18
Turn right onto US 12
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Superior Avenue
19
Turn right onto East Lacrosse Street
165 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Lacrosse Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Lacrosse Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Tomah. You can easily complete this trip in one day, so flexibility is key. Consider a single stop midway for fuel and a stretch, perhaps after the longest 65.3-mile segment on I-90. The fuel cost is estimated at $26, so keeping your tank topped up won't break the bank. A practical tip: be aware of potential traffic on I-94 as you leave the Menomonee Falls area, especially during peak commuting hours.
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 82 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 36 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82 miles or 1h 37m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tomah, 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 164 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 90 for about 65.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.3 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 13.8 and 161.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.8 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 94 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / East-West Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
67.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
6
96.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
159.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
161.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 16: Tomah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 43
Toward US 12, WI 16: Tomah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.64 one way
$51.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.15 | $56.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.56 | $63.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.21 | $72.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
| Efficient EV | 41 | 0 | $14.35 | $6.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.96 | $10.50 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Tomah, WI
Morning in Tomah on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3h 7m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 124.4
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 92% of this journey. The majority of your time will be spent on interstates, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.3 miles on I-90, so plan your breaks accordingly. While largely interstate, the transition between I-94 and I-90 provides a slight shift in the driving experience. It's a route designed for covering ground efficiently, rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
92% 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: 65.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East-West Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 miles in near I 94 / East-West Freeway.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 164 miles you will encounter 10 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 13.8 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.4 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
998 ft
807 ft
Total Climb
383 ft
Total Descent
270 ft
Highest Point
998 ft
~82 mi in
Elevation Range
191 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Tomah, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Eau Claire along the way.
Eau Claire
67.3 mi in
|
~1h 21m
|
via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 164 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Tomah, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.8 miles (I 94 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.4 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Tomah, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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