Origin
Browns Lake, WI
Evening in Browns Lake on Wednesday
Local time
6:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Browns Lake, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
42.2 mi
68 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Browns Lake, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 42.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Zoo Freeway, State Highway 36, Loomis Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 16.4 miles on Zoo Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
21.1 miles from Browns Lake, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Browns Lake, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 42.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Zoo Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Fairfield.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (Fairfield): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (CTH W / Browns Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Fairfield
Turn right onto Fairfield
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CTH W / Browns Lake Drive
Turn right onto CTH W / Browns Lake Drive
Navigation decision point
6
24 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
24.6 mi into trip
|
~40m 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 slight right lane.
7
41 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Browns Lake, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
Madison
24 mi in
|
~39m
|
via US 45
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Zoo Freeway | 16.4 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 36 | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| Loomis Road | 6 mi | 8m |
| South Lovers Lane Road | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| Milwaukee Avenue | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| US 45 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Browns Lake Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Zoo Freeway
— 16.4 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Browns Lake, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on Hickory Lane
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Hickory Lane
2
Turn right onto Fairfield
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Fairfield
3
Turn left onto Lakehills Drive
242 ft
·
11 sec
·
Lakehills Drive
4
Turn right onto Cedar Drive
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Cedar Drive
5
Turn right onto CTH W
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Browns Lake Drive
6
Turn slight right
312 ft
·
13 sec
7
Turn straight onto Milwaukee Avenue
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Milwaukee Avenue
8
Continue on WI 36
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 36
9
Continue on WI 36
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Loomis Road
10
Continue on US 45
448 ft
·
19 sec
·
US 45
11
Turn left onto US 45; WI 100
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Saint Martins Road
12
Continue on US 45; WI 100
4.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Lovers Lane Road
13
Take the ramp onto US 45
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 45
Toward I 43 North, US 45 North
14
Merge onto I 43; US 45
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Rock Freeway
15
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
16
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
16 mi
·
21 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 51B
Toward Pilgrim Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Pilgrim Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Pilgrim Road
19
Turn right onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
20
Turn right onto WI 175
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Appleton Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
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 21.1 miles from Browns Lake, WI, or about 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.4 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 42 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.1 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
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 Browns Lake, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Browns Lake, WI
This is one driving day of about 42.2 miles and 1h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Browns Lake, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Zoo Freeway for about 16.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.1 mi from Browns Lake, WI · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.1 miles from Browns Lake, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.60 one way
$13.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.24 | $14.49 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.12 | $16.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.32 | $18.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.43 | $2.03 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.69 | $1.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.91 | $2.70 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Evening in Menomonee Falls on Wednesday
Local time
6:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 5m 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 Browns Lake, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 42.2 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Zoo Freeway, State Highway 36, Loomis Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.1 miles from Browns Lake, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.60 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 42.2 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.1 miles (Fairfield): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (CTH W / Browns Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 24 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Browns Lake, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Madison along the way.
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