Rice Lake to Menomonee Falls is 297.1 miles and takes about 5h 33m via I 94 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it’s a straightforward drive. Plan for a smooth transition on Interstates before potentially encountering more local traffic closer to your destination.
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
148.5 miles from Rice Lake, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
223.4 mi
3h 59m
US 53
58.8 mi
1h 5m
West Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
West Knapp Street
1.2 mi
2m
Town Line Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 223.4 mi, about 3h 59m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,143 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,624
Quietest
1 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rice Lake, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on West Evans Street
136 ft·8 sec·West Evans Street
2
Turn right onto Tainter Avenue
0.2 mi·49 sec·Tainter Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto CTH SS
1.0 mi·2 min·West Knapp Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 48
124 ft·1 sec·West Knapp Street
5
Continue on WI 48
503 ft·9 sec·West Knapp Street
6
Enter roundabout
237 ft·3 sec
7
Continue
0.4 mi·49 sec
8
Merge onto US 53
58 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 53
9
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
10
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft·5 sec·US 53
11
Continue on US 53
441 ft·8 sec·US 53
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 94
168 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
17
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
19
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
20
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
22
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
23
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
24
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 33m drive, consider leaving Rice Lake in the morning to ensure you arrive in Menomonee Falls with plenty of daylight. With a single-day recommendation and a fuel cost around $47, you can likely complete this trip without needing an overnight stop. Breaking up the 223.4-mile stretch on I 94 with a brief stop for a stretch or snack would be beneficial. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to the Milwaukee area, as congestion can build during peak hours.
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 148.5 miles from Rice Lake, WI, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.4 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.5 miles or 2h 44m 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 26m
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 Rice Lake, 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 Rice Lake, WI
This is one driving day of about 297.1 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Rice Lake, 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 223.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 284.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Tainter Avenue
Turn right onto Tainter Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|CTH SS / West Knapp Street
At end of road, turn left onto CTH SS / West Knapp Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
228.9 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
284.5 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
284.7 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
$43.87 one way
$87.75 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$48.44
$96.87
premium
$4.72
$55.16
$110.32
diesel
$4.80
$56.10
$112.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.1
1
$31.20
$14.26
Efficient EV
74.3
0
$26.00
$11.88
EV Truck/SUV
118.8
1
$41.59
$19.01
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Rice Lake, WI
Late night
in Rice Lake on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Late night
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 3:43PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 33m 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 174.1
Caution: Indian Creek Segment — Machinery and Parking Closure
Park Closure: Sturgeon Bay Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 95% of this 297.1-mile trip on highways, with a long stretch of 223.4 miles on I 94. The route begins with US 53 before merging onto I 94. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with exits likely becoming more frequent as you approach the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The final leg involves West Main Street for a short distance.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 53. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Tainter Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 297.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (Tainter Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CTH SS / West Knapp Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 228.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 297.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Tainter Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CTH SS / West Knapp Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 228.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
