Tainter Lake, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is 270.3 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Given the route is mostly highway, expect a fairly direct trip with minimal detours. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a straightforward drive.
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
135.2 miles from Tainter Lake, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
248.4 mi
4h 26m
West Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
Redford Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
County Road B
3.8 mi
5m
County Road D
3 mi
5m
Waukesha Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
County Road BB
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 248.4 mi, about 4h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tainter Lake, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on 848th Avenue
183 ft·8 sec·848th Avenue
2
Continue on 622nd Street
0.2 mi·1 min·622nd Street
3
Turn left onto CTH D
3.0 mi·5 min·County Road D
4
Turn left onto CTH G
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road G
5
Turn left onto CTH BB
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road BB
6
At end of road, turn right onto CTH B
3.8 mi·5 min·County Road B
7
Turn left
0.4 mi·48 sec
8
Merge onto I 94
193 mi·3 hr 26 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
56 mi·59 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 295Toward CTH F: Waukesha, SussexUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
12
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi·7 min·Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi·2 min·Waukesha Avenue
14
Turn straight
374 ft·12 sec
15
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi·54 sec·Town Line Road
17
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
18
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi·9 min·West Main Street
19
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft·0 sec·Appleton Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 248.4 miles on I 94, so plan your break accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel, budgeting around $42, and be aware that I 94 can become busy as you approach the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
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 135.2 miles from Tainter Lake, WI, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 248.4 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.2 miles or 2h 31m 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 3m
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 Tainter 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 Tainter Lake, WI
This is one driving day of about 270.3 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Tainter 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 248.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 258 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in|CTH B / County Road B
At end of road, turn right onto CTH B / County Road B
Navigation decision point
5
9.3 mi into trip|~16m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
202.2 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
257.7 mi into trip|~4h 42m 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
258 mi into trip|~4h 42m 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
$42.26 one way
$84.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.40
$92.80
premium
$4.89
$52.02
$104.03
diesel
$5.61
$59.68
$119.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.1
1
$28.38
$12.97
Efficient EV
67.6
0
$23.65
$10.81
EV Truck/SUV
108.1
1
$37.84
$17.30
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tainter Lake, WI
Morning
in Tainter Lake on Sunday
Local time
11:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Morning
in Menomonee Falls on Sunday
Local time
11:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
20 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
5h 5m 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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 139.8
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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the 270.3 miles on major roadways like I 94. You'll experience a long stretch of 248.4 miles on I 94 before transitioning to surface streets. Expect frequent exits as you approach your destination, indicating a more developed area. The profile is mostly highway, so prepare for consistent speeds for the majority of the trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 248.4 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in near CTH B / County Road B.
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 270.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 5.1 miles (CTH B / County Road B): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 270.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 248.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles (CTH B / County Road B): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
