Trip from Menomonee Falls, WI to Wisconsin Rapids, 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 1m
Distance
148.9 mi
240 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Menomonee Falls, WI to Wisconsin Rapids, WI is 148.9 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I 41 and US Highway 10, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. Given the relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Plan for a departure that allows for a comfortable pace, especially considering the longest stretch without a major road change. It's a practical option for getting from one Wisconsin locale to another without extensive travel time.
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
74.5 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 68.8 mi | 1h 13m |
| US Highway 10 | 35.2 mi | 40m |
| Plover Road | 16.9 mi | 24m |
| US 45 | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| County Road B | 8.8 mi | 15m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Peach Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 16th Street North | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menomonee Falls, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
Start on WI 175
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn left onto Pilgrim Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 45
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
Take the exit onto CTH B
Turn left onto CTH B
Continue on CTH B
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto Baker Drive
Turn left onto 16th Street North
Turn right onto Peach Street
Turn left onto 8th Street South
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Since the total travel time is under four hours, you won't need to split the drive, giving you flexibility with your departure time. There's one recommended stop, so consider making it around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $23, but it's always wise to top off before starting, especially before that 68.8-mile stretch on I 41. The transition from I 41 to US Highway 10 is a key point to be aware of as you near your destination.
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.
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 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.5 miles or 1h 22m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wisconsin Rapids, 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 148.9 miles and 3h 1m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 74.5 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 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Theresa Rest Area 64
64
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Lake Emily County Park
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Amherst Junction, Wisconsin
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+17158243175
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 148.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 8th Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.28 one way
$46.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.56 | $51.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.65 | $57.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.88 | $65.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.63 | $7.15 |
| Efficient EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.03 | $5.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.85 | $9.53 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Origin
Menomonee Falls, WI
Morning in Menomonee Falls on Tuesday
Local time
7:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Morning in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
7:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
21°F
Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM CDT until April 20 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
43°F
Royalton, WI
74 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
38 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
3h 1m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 80% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience about 68.8 miles on I 41 before transitioning. The majority of the driving will be on Interstate 41, which means you can expect a consistent cruising speed. Towards the end of the trip, you'll shift to US Highway 10 and Plover Road, which will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits as you approach Wisconsin Rapids.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. 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.
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 17 significant decision points across 148.9 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.
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.
Between Menomonee Falls, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, WI, road signs point toward Appleton, Cth B West: Plover and Amherst.
Appleton
Cth B West: Plover
Amherst
About the Cities
Arriving in Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Full guide →Wisconsin Rapids is a town of 19,000 people (2020) in North Central Wisconsin that is known for its papermaking history, and its cranberry industry.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 148.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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