If you are planning a trip from Pleasant Prairie to Holmen, expect a straightforward journey covering 243.6 miles across the Midwest. You can comfortably complete this drive in approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a estimated fuel cost of $37, the route is budget-friendly and efficient for travelers looking to move between these two Wisconsin locations. Since the drive is heavily focused on major interstates, you will find the pace consistent and predictable. While an overnight stay isn't strictly necessary, having the flexibility to stop once can break up the transit time nicely. This path is perfect for those who prioritize a direct, no-nonsense commute over winding backroads.
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
121.8 miles from Pleasant Prairie, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
104 mi
1h 51m
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
I 41
31.5 mi
36m
I 94
29.1 mi
31m
US 53
5 mi
5m
Airport Freeway
4.6 mi
6m
104th Avenue
1 mi
2m
75th Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 104 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pleasant Prairie, WI and Holmen, WI.
1
Start on 104th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·104th Avenue
2
Turn left onto WI 50
0.9 mi·1 min·75th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·39 sec·this road
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West
5
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
26 mi·28 min·I 41; I 94; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41
0.6 mi·49 sec·I 41; I 94; US 41
Exit 317Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 41; US 41
1.1 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.6 mi·6 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
4.2 mi·5 min·I 41; I 894; US 41
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1B-AToward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·56 sec
Exit 1BToward I 94 West: MadisonUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
13
Merge onto I 94
10 mi·11 min·East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi·57 min·East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
40 mi·43 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 53 North, WI 157: La Crosse, Onalaska
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
20
Merge onto US 53; WI 157
5.0 mi·5 min·US 53; WI 157
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward WI 35 South, CTH HD
22
Turn straight onto CTH HD; WI 35 BUS
0.7 mi·1 min·Holmen Drive
23
Turn right onto CTH DH
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Gaarder Road
24
Enter roundabout onto CTH DH
238 ft·4 sec·County Highway DH
25
Continue on CTH DH
112 ft·2 sec·County Highway DH
26
Turn straight onto CTH DH
0.5 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
27
Turn right onto CTH D
70 ft·1 sec·County Highway D
28
Arrive at destination
CTH D
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 31-minute travel window, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the busiest sections of the interstate. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the 104-mile longest stretch on I-90 where road fatigue can set in. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, keeping in mind the $37 estimate, so you can plan your pit stop strategically. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of flexibility; don't feel pressured to rush the drive if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Always check local traffic reports for the I-90 corridor before you head out, as interstate conditions can shift quickly.
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 121.8 miles from Pleasant Prairie, WI, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.8 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holmen, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie, WI
This is one driving day of about 243.6 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Pleasant Prairie, 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 104 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.1 and 103.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
28.1 mi into trip|~33m in|I 41; I 94; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Ma...
8
34.4 mi into trip|~42m in|I 41; I 894; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US...
8
38.6 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
38.8 mi into trip|~48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
9
103.3 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.08 one way
$76.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.81
$83.63
premium
$4.89
$46.88
$93.76
diesel
$5.61
$53.78
$107.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.1
0
$25.58
$11.69
Efficient EV
60.9
0
$21.31
$9.74
EV Truck/SUV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Pleasant Prairie, WI
Morning
in Pleasant Prairie on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Holmen, WI
Morning
in Holmen on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
22 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
4h 31m 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.
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 159.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will rely primarily on I-90, I-41, and the East-West Freeway to bridge the gap between your starting point and destination. Be prepared for a steady interstate experience, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 104 miles on I-90. While the road lacks the technical challenges of local backroads, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving at a brisk pace. Expect a reliable, high-speed experience that allows you to cover the distance efficiently without frequent navigation changes.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.1 miles in near I 41; I 94; US 41.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 243.6 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 28.1 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Between Pleasant Prairie, WI and Holmen, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Eau Claire and La Crosse.
Fond Du Lac
28.1 mi in|~33m|via I 41; I 94; US 41
Milwaukee
38.6 mi in|~47m
Eau Claire
103.3 mi in|~1h 58m|via I 94
La Crosse
195.9 mi in|~3h 37m|via I 90
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 243.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104 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 Holmen, 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 28.1 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Holmen, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
