This 298.8-mile drive from Roberts, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is a straightforward trip through the Midwest, primarily utilizing I-94. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 33 minutes on the road, making it a feasible day trip, though you could easily break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost is around $45. With 96% of the journey on highways, this route is built for efficient travel, allowing you to cover significant ground quickly. You'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way, making this a convenient option when you need to get from point A to point B.
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
149.4 miles from Roberts, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
283.9 mi
5h 4m
West Main Street
4.7 mi
10m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
State Highway 65
1.5 mi
2m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Town Line Road
0.4 mi
<1m
West Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 283.9 mi, about 5h 4m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,864 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,373
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.2×
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 Roberts, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Main Street
2
Continue on West Boulevard
0.2 mi·51 sec·West Boulevard
3
Turn right onto West Pine Street
108 ft·10 sec·West Pine Street
4
Turn left onto WI 65; I 94 ALT
0.2 mi·15 sec·State Highway 65
5
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
110 ft·6 sec·State Highway 65
6
Continue on WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
7
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 65
8
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
94 ft·5 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
9
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·16 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
10
Enter roundabout
293 ft·17 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
11
Continue
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
12
Merge onto I 94
228 mi·4 hr 4 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
16
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
18
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
19
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
21
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
22
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
23
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 33-minute journey, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and minimize traffic, especially on I-94. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, it's wise to fill up before you leave Roberts, WI, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road is substantial. While only one stop is specifically recommended, plan for brief breaks as needed to stay alert. Given the highway-focused nature, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during that 283.9-mile segment on I-94, to avoid any unexpected delays.
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 149.4 miles from Roberts, WI, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 283.9 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 66 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.4 miles or 2h 42m 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 25m
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 Roberts, 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 Roberts, WI
This is one driving day of about 298.8 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Roberts, 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 283.9 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 1.8 and 286.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|WI 65 / State Highway 65
Enter roundabout onto WI 65 / State Highway 65 toward River Falls
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward River Falls
7
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Enter roundabout toward Eau Claire, Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
8
230.7 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
286.2 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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
286.5 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
$44.13 one way
$88.25 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$48.71
$97.43
premium
$4.72
$55.48
$110.96
diesel
$4.80
$56.42
$112.84
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: 104.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.6
1
$31.37
$14.34
Efficient EV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.95
EV Truck/SUV
119.5
1
$41.83
$19.12
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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
Roberts, WI
Late night
in Roberts on Sunday
Local time
4:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph0% 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
4:06 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
1 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
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 175.2
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?
Prepare for a highway-focused drive, as 96% of this route consists of interstate travel. You'll be on I-94 for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 283.9 miles, so expect consistent speeds and limited opportunities for spontaneous detours. The drive primarily involves cruising on major roadways like I-94 and sections of West Main Street and Redford Boulevard. While the profile is largely highway, the transition into and out of towns might offer slight variations in the road's immediate surroundings. This is a route designed for covering distance efficiently.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 283.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and West Main Street. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near WI 65 / State Highway 65.
Driving Effort5/10
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 298.8 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: at 1.8 miles (WI 65 / State Highway 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,246 ft794 ft
Total Climb
1,117 ft
Total Descent
1,291 ft
Highest Point
1,246 ft
~21.3 mi in
Elevation Range
452 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 298.8 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 (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 283.9 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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.
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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (WI 65 / State Highway 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.7 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.
