Spring Valley to Kenosha is 324.8 miles and takes about 6h 7m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Wisconsin drive takes you through the Midwest region, primarily on interstate highways. Expect a straightforward transit, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to B efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a high percentage of highway driving, this route is designed for speed.
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
162.4 miles from Spring Valley, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
274.3 mi
4h 54m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
State Highway 128
4.3 mi
7m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
State Highway 29
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 274.3 mi, about 4h 54m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 126 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,674 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,228
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.5×
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 Spring Valley, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on this road
30 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
139 ft·8 sec·South 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto McKay Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·McKay Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto WI 29; CTH B
0.5 mi·59 sec·5th Street
5
Continue on WI 29; CTH B
2.6 mi·3 min·State Highway 29
6
Turn left onto WI 128
4.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 128
7
Enter roundabout
10 ft·0 sec
8
Continue
0.3 mi·38 sec
9
Merge onto I 94
210 mi·3 hr 45 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
15
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
21
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
23
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
24
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
25
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
26
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
27
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Kenosha. With just one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to pull over. The fuel cost is estimated at $50, so ensure your tank is full before departing Spring Valley. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you can choose to push through or take a more relaxed pace, but be mindful of the 274.3-mile stretch on I 94 where services might be more spaced out.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.4 miles from Spring Valley, WI, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 274.3 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 71 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.4 miles or 2h 59m 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 51m
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 Spring Valley, 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 Spring Valley, WI
This is one driving day of about 324.8 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Spring Valley, 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 274.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 218.1 and 316.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
218.1 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
282.3 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
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 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
282.9 mi into trip|~5h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
9
292 mi into trip|~5h 23m 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
316.6 mi into trip|~5h 51m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.97 one way
$95.93 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.95
$105.91
premium
$4.72
$60.31
$120.61
diesel
$4.80
$61.33
$122.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
Efficient EV
81.2
0
$28.42
$12.99
EV Truck/SUV
129.9
1
$45.47
$20.79
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Spring Valley, WI
Evening
in Spring Valley on Saturday
Local time
6:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:55AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Evening
in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
6:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:55AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
79°F
Clinton, WI
162 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
6h 7m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 156.8
Park Closure: Janesville 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?
This route is predominantly highway, with 97% of the 324.8 miles on freeways. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 94, the North-South Freeway, and the Airport Freeway. The longest continuous stretch on I 94 measures 274.3 miles, meaning you can settle in for long, uninterrupted cruising. Expect dense exit activity as you approach the Kenosha area.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 274.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 218.1 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 324.8 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 218.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,092 ft600 ft
Total Climb
475 ft
Total Descent
793 ft
Highest Point
1,092 ft
~116 mi in
Elevation Range
491 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Spring Valley, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
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."
Top landmarks
•Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail — prison in Kenosha, United States of America
•Kenosha Light — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
•Kenosha North Pier Light — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 324.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 274.3 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 218.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 miles: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kenosha, WI before the return drive.
