Redgranite, WI to Kenosha, WI is 148.7 miles and takes about 3h 7m via I 41, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest's heartland toward the Lake Michigan shoreline. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a functional transit day. Given the relatively short duration and focus on expressways, this route is ideal for those prioritizing efficiency and arriving at their destination with minimal fuss.
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
74.4 miles from Redgranite, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
85.8 mi
1h 36m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
State Highway 21
22.2 mi
30m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
West Main Street
2.2 mi
5m
West River Drive
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redgranite, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Main Street
102 ft·10 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto WI 21; CTH E
0.7 mi·1 min·Bannerman Avenue
3
Continue on WI 21
16 mi·22 min·State Highway 21
4
Continue on WI 21
1.0 mi·1 min·West River Drive
5
Continue on WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi·18 sec·Omro Road
6
Turn right
114 ft·10 sec
7
Turn right
114 ft·10 sec
8
Turn right onto North Webster Avenue
92 ft·9 sec·North Webster Avenue
9
Turn left onto WI 116; CTH F
0.1 mi·21 sec·Omro Road
10
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi·35 sec·Spruce State Route
11
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
2.2 mi·5 min·West Main Street
12
Continue on WI 21
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 21
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
143 ft·8 sec·Omro Road
14
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·14 sec·Omro Road
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I-41_South: Milwaukee
16
Merge onto I 41; US 41
84 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight lane.
17
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
22
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
24
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
25
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
26
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
27
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
28
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 3.5 hours, this route offers a lot of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving Redgranite in the morning means you'll reach Kenosha with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest stretch without a significant change in major road is 85.8 miles on I 41, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps around the 60-70 mile mark if you want a buffer. Since it's a single-day trip, you won't need overnight accommodations, allowing you to depart later in the day if preferred, but be mindful of potential rush hour traffic as you approach Kenosha.
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 74.4 miles from Redgranite, WI, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 33 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.4 miles or 1h 35m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenosha, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Redgranite, 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 Redgranite, WI
This is one driving day of about 148.7 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Redgranite, 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 41 for about 85.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.1 and 140.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
18.1 mi into trip|~26m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
9
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
8
140.5 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
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 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
7
140.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, K...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.25 one way
$46.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.52
$51.05
premium
$4.89
$28.62
$57.23
diesel
$5.61
$32.83
$65.66
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 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
44.6
0
$15.61
$7.14
Efficient EV
37.2
0
$13.01
$5.95
EV Truck/SUV
59.5
0
$20.82
$9.52
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.
Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Redgranite, WI
Late night
in Redgranite on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Germantown, 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
3 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 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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 91% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 41 and the North-South Freeway. Expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 85.8 miles solely on I 41. The character of the route is largely that of a fast-paced interstate experience, characterized by consistent speed limits and efficient travel. While it's a highway-centric path, there are also segments on State Highway 21 that offer a slight variation before rejoining the main freeway corridor.
91% 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: 85.8 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 148.7 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 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 115.9 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Redgranite, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Cth S: Kenosha, Burlington and Cth S East: Gateway Technical College.
Kenosha is Wisconsin's fourth largest city. It is in the state's southeast region. Many of its residents commute to jobs elsewhere, leading to its appellation as "Chicago's northernmost suburb."
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 148.7 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 (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Kenosha, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 115.9 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Kenosha, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
