Red Cedar, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is 265.4 miles and takes about 5h 6m via I 94 and State Highway 85, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend the bulk of your time on the interstate, making for efficient travel. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
132.7 miles from Red Cedar, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
229.3 mi
4h 5m
State Highway 85
16.4 mi
23m
West Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
County Road H
2.5 mi
3m
State Highway 37
2.4 mi
3m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 229.3 mi, about 4h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Cedar, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on 50th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·50th Avenue
2
Keep slight left at fork onto 50th Avenue
172 ft·9 sec·50th Avenue
3
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
0.3 mi·45 sec·10th Avenue
4
Continue on CTH MM
1.1 mi·2 min·County Road MM
5
Turn left onto WI 85
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 85
6
Continue on WI 85; CTH H
2.5 mi·3 min·County Road H
7
Continue on WI 85; CTH H
5.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 85
Use the straight lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto WI 37
2.4 mi·3 min·State Highway 37
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 94 East: MadisonUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 94
174 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
14
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
16
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
17
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
19
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
20
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
21
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour driving time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, leaving Red Cedar in the morning to arrive in Menomonee Falls with time to spare. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure you have enough to cover this. While there's only one recommended stop, the 229.3-mile stretch on I 94 means you might want to plan for a break around the halfway point of that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Menomonee Falls, as exit density can increase closer to urban areas and may mean more time between services on the highway itself.
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 132.7 miles from Red Cedar, WI, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 229.3 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.7 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Menomonee Falls, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Red Cedar, 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 Red Cedar, WI
This is one driving day of about 265.4 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Red Cedar, 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 94 for about 229.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.1 and 253 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
23.1 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the ramp toward I 94 East: Madison
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 94 East: Madison
5
23.4 mi into trip|~36m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
197.2 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
252.7 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
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.
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
7
253 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.49 one way
$82.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.56
$91.11
premium
$4.89
$51.07
$102.15
diesel
$5.61
$58.60
$117.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.6
0
$27.87
$12.74
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.22
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.16
$16.99
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
Red Cedar, WI
Late night
in Red Cedar on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
19 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
5h 6m 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 137.3
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 265.4 miles spent on interstates and major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 229.3 miles on I 94. The transition to surface roads happens later in the trip, with State Highway 85 and West Main Street making up the final miles into Menomonee Falls. Expect the highway portion to feature consistent speeds and a higher density of exits.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 229.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
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 265.4 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 23.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 265.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 229.3 miles on I 94. 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 Menomonee Falls, 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 23.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Menomonee Falls, WI before the return drive.
