Trip from Bergen, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI

Drive Time

1h 34m

Distance

77.2 mi

124 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

Downtown Bergen, WI, WI

Bergen, WI

Barnabas Davoti

Downtown Menomonee Falls, WI, WI

Menomonee Falls, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Bergen to Menomonee Falls, you are looking at a straightforward 77.2-mile trek across the Wisconsin Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 34 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $12, the trip is as economical as it is efficient. Because the entire journey takes place within the state, you won't need to worry about crossing regional borders or adjusting your travel plans for major climate shifts. This route is designed for those who value speed and directness over leisurely detours, as there are no scheduled stops required to reach your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

38.6 miles from Bergen, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of your journey is spent on high-speed thoroughfares. The drive relies on a combination of I-43, the Zoo Freeway, and South State Road 140 to keep you moving toward your goal. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstate, including one significant 53.2-mile stretch on I-43 that serves as the backbone of the trip. The transition between these roads maintains a consistent pace, offering a predictable driving environment. Because the route is dominated by major highways, you can anticipate a steady, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes arrival time over winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and Zoo Freeway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Bergen Road.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 (South Bergen Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Bergen Road

Turn left onto South Bergen Road

Navigation decision point

5
5.8 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 43

Merge onto I 43

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | US 45

Take the exit onto US 45 toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 61 Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fon...
5
59.5 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45 / Zoo Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward Pilgrim Road South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 51B Toward Pilgrim Road South

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Bergen, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.

Madison

58.9 mi in | ~1h 8m | via US 45

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 43 53.2 mi 57m
Zoo Freeway 16.4 mi 21m
South State Road 140 4 mi 7m
Church Street 1 mi 1m
Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
US 45 0.6 mi <1m
Pilgrim Road 0.3 mi <1m
South State Highway 140 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 43 — 53.2 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bergen, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.

1

Start on this road

78 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto South Bergen Road

0.2 mi · 43 sec · South Bergen Road
3

Turn straight onto WI 140

3.8 mi · 6 min · South State Road 140
4

Continue on WI 140

1.0 mi · 1 min · Church Street
5

Continue on WI 140

0.2 mi · 20 sec · South State Highway 140
6

Continue on WI 140

0.1 mi · 15 sec · South State Road 140
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
8

Merge onto I 43

53 mi · 57 min · I 43
Use the none lane.
9

Take the exit onto US 45

0.6 mi · 55 sec · US 45
Exit 61 Toward I 41 North, US 45 North, I 894 West: Fond du Lac, Madison
10

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45

16 mi · 21 min · Zoo Freeway
Use the none lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 52 sec
Exit 51B Toward Pilgrim Road South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn straight onto Pilgrim Road

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Pilgrim Road
Use the none lane.
13

Turn right onto Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
14

Turn right onto WI 175

21 ft · 0 sec · Appleton Avenue
15

Arrive at destination

WI 175

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to worry about overnight logistics, so focus your energy on timing your drive to avoid peak traffic periods on the Zoo Freeway. Given that the longest stretch is 53.2 miles, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you hit the main highway segments to keep your $12 budget on track. Since there are zero formal stops planned, it is a good idea to check your fluids and tire pressure before leaving Bergen. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Menomonee Falls refreshed and ready for whatever your day entails.

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 38.6 miles from Bergen, WI, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 77.2 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.6 miles or 46m 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 17m

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 Bergen, 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 Bergen, WI

This is one driving day of about 77.2 miles and 1h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bergen, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 53.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.6 mi from Bergen, WI · 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

39 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Waukegan, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.6 miles from Bergen, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Menomonee Falls, WI

The final approach into Menomonee Falls, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Menomonee Falls, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.73 one way

$23.45 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $12.93 $25.85
premium $4.80 $14.57 $29.15
diesel $5.64 $17.15 $34.30

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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.2 0 $8.11 $3.71
Efficient EV 19.3 0 $6.76 $3.09
EV Truck/SUV 30.9 0 $10.81 $4.94

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Bergen, WI

Afternoon in Bergen on Sunday

Local time

1:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Menomonee Falls, WI

Afternoon in Menomonee Falls on Sunday

Local time

1:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°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

7 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

1h 34m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bergen, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 77.2 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 43, Zoo Freeway, South State Road 140. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.6 miles from Bergen, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.2 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Bergen Road): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bergen, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.

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Return Trip

Menomonee Falls, WI to Bergen, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

76.8 mi 1h 33m

Explore more options from Bergen, WI or browse trips ending in Menomonee Falls, WI.

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