Worcester to Kenosha is 298.9 miles and takes about 6h 2m via I 41, US 10, and US 51, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving between the Midwest region's generally flat terrain. With 96% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss, suitable for a single day of driving.
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 Worcester, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
87.4 mi
1h 38m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
US 51
46.3 mi
53m
US 8
30.9 mi
43m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,046 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,595
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.4×
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 Worcester, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Bennett Road
345 ft·16 sec·Bennett Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto CTH K
2.5 mi·6 min·County Road K
3
At end of road, turn left onto CTH A
1.0 mi·2 min·County Highway A
4
Turn left onto US 8
31 mi·43 min·US 8
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 51
46 mi·53 min·US 51
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
8
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
9
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 10; WI 66
Exit 158Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi·1 hr·US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, WaupacaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
13
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
19
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
21
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
22
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
23
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
24
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
25
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive before dark. The longest stretch without a significant change in major road is 87.4 miles on I 41, so plan for your primary fuel and rest stop before or after this segment. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, maintaining a steady pace will help you reach Kenosha comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 87.4-mile stretch on I 41, to avoid unexpected stops.
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 149.4 miles from Worcester, WI, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 66 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.4 miles or 3h 5m 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 53m
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 Worcester, 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 Worcester, WI
This is one driving day of about 298.9 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Worcester, 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 41 for about 87.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.5 and 290.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
34.5 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
162.3 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
266.1 mi into trip|~5h 18m 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
290.7 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
$44.14 one way
$88.28 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$48.73
$97.46
premium
$4.72
$55.50
$110.99
diesel
$4.80
$56.44
$112.88
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: 104.6 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
89.7
1
$31.38
$14.35
Efficient EV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.96
EV Truck/SUV
119.6
1
$41.85
$19.13
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
Worcester, WI
Late night
in Worcester on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 10 mph7% 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
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 10 mph36% 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
3 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
6h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 96% of your travel occurring on major roads like I 41, US 10, and US 51. You'll encounter a long stretch of 87.4 miles on I 41, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to non-highway roads will happen towards the end of your trip. Expect the highway segment to feature frequent exits and entrances as you pass through various towns and cities.
96% 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: 87.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 34.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 298.9 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 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.3 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,610 ft600 ft
Total Climb
225 ft
Total Descent
1,234 ft
Highest Point
1,610 ft
Elevation Range
1,009 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Worcester, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
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 2m. Total distance: 298.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.3 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 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.
