Rubicon, WI to Kenosha, WI is 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m via I 41 and State Highway 60, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. The profile is mostly highway, making for a straightforward and efficient drive. With a recommended one-day trip duration, this route is ideal for a quick connection between these two locations without requiring an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Rubicon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
31 mi
37m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
State Highway 60
4.7 mi
7m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
West Sumner Street
3.7 mi
5m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
West Commerce Boulevard
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 31 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rubicon, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on this road
103 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Rome Road
267 ft·17 sec·Rome Road
3
Turn left onto CTH P
1.0 mi·2 min·County Road P
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
230 ft·7 sec·State Highway 60
5
Continue on WI 60
2.0 mi·2 min·State Highway 60
6
Continue on WI 60
3.7 mi·5 min·West Sumner Street
7
Continue on WI 60
2.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 60
8
Continue on WI 60
2.0 mi·3 min·West Commerce Boulevard
9
Continue on WI 60
0.4 mi·34 sec·State Highway 60 East
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
11
Merge onto I 41; US 41
30 mi·36 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
17
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
19
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
20
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
21
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
22
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
23
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon allows ample time to reach Kenosha without feeling rushed. Plan for one fuel stop if needed, as the estimated cost is around $12, and consider this before heading out. Since the drive is short, you likely won't need extensive breaks, but a quick stop around the halfway point on I 41 could be refreshing if desired. Keep an eye out for the transition from the freeway to State Highway 60 as you near Kenosha.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.4 miles from Rubicon, WI, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31 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 17 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Rubicon, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rubicon, WI
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Rubicon, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 31 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 70.8 — 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|Rome Road
Turn right onto Rome Road
Navigation decision point
5
12.1 mi into trip|~20m in|I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
46 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.53
$27.05
premium
$4.89
$15.16
$30.33
diesel
$5.61
$17.40
$34.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.15
EV Truck/SUV
31.5
0
$11.03
$5.04
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Rubicon, WI
Morning
in Rubicon on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Morning
in Kenosha on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
15 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
1h 46m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a high percentage of highway driving, with 81% of the trip on major roads like I 41 and the North-South Freeway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 31 miles on I 41, offering a solid period of cruising. The transition to State Highway 60 will introduce more surface road driving as you approach your destination. Expect a relatively consistent flow of traffic with occasional merging and exits common on a freeway.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31 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 early in the drive near Rome Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.8 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: near the start (Rome Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46 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 Rubicon, 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 1h 46m. Total distance: 78.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Rome Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.1 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 46 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kenosha, WI before heading back.
