Spanning 89.2 miles across Wisconsin, this trip connects Monona to Oak Creek in approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting around $14 for fuel will cover your transit across the Midwest landscape. Because this route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, it is best suited for travelers prioritizing efficiency over leisurely backroads. Whether you are heading out for business or visiting friends, the predictability of this journey makes it a stress-free option for your itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
63.3 mi
1h 8m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
North-South Freeway
3.2 mi
4m
South Stoughton Road
3 mi
4m
East Puetz Road
2.5 mi
5m
WI 30
1.8 mi
2m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and Oak Creek, WI.
1
Start on Nichols Road
0.4 mi·59 sec·Nichols Road
2
Continue on Pflaum Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Pflaum Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 51
3.0 mi·4 min·South Stoughton Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·29 sec
5
Merge onto WI 30
1.8 mi·2 min·WI 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
3.2 mi·4 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 321Toward Drexel AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue
1.3 mi·3 min·West Drexel Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·South Howell Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto East Puetz Road
2.5 mi·5 min·East Puetz Road
19
Arrive at destination
East Puetz Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak rush hours is always a smart move. You likely won't need to schedule formal rest stops given the sub-two-hour duration, but keeping the $14 fuel cost in mind helps you plan your budget effectively. Stay alert when switching between the Zoo Freeway and Airport Freeway, as these interchanges can be busy. Because the longest stretch of the drive covers over 63 miles on I-94, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Monona to avoid unnecessary stops along the highway. Taking advantage of the direct route allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Oak Creek.
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 44.6 miles from Monona, WI, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 51m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Creek, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monona, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monona, WI
This is one driving day of about 89.2 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Monona, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 63.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 69.8 and 84 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
69.8 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
7
71 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
9
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
7
84 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Drexel Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 321
Toward Drexel Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.95 one way
$27.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.31
$30.62
premium
$4.89
$17.17
$34.33
diesel
$5.61
$19.69
$39.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Monona, WI
Night
in Monona on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oak Creek, WI
Night
in Oak Creek on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
10 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
1h 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a consistent interstate experience, as 87% of this drive is spent on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-94, which features a long, uninterrupted 63.3-mile stretch that sets the pace for the journey. As you approach your destination, the route transitions onto the Zoo Freeway and the Airport Freeway to help you bypass local congestion. This is primarily a functional, high-speed transit route rather than a winding scenic tour. You should be prepared for steady traffic flow as you transition between these major arterial roads.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Airport Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 69.8 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Monona, WI to Oak Creek, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
69.8 mi in|~1h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on I 94. 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 Oak Creek, 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 69.8 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oak Creek, WI before heading back.
