Trip from Colfax, WI to Kenosha, WI

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

5h 42m

Distance

302.9 mi

487 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 30m ★

6 AM

5h 43m

8 AM

6h 9m

10 AM

5h 52m

12 PM

5h 49m

3 PM

5h 53m

5 PM

6h 8m

8 PM

5h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Colfax, WI

Alex Dos Santos

city in and county seat of Kenosha County, Wisconsin and part of the Chicago metropolitan area, known as Chicagoland

Kenosha, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 302.9-mile journey from Colfax, Wisconsin, to Kenosha, Wisconsin, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 5 hours and 42 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on I-94 and the North-South Freeway, with a brief section of State Highway 40. With 97% of the route on highways, this drive is focused on covering distance efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $47. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, this route is well-suited for a one-day excursion between these two Midwest locations.

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

151.4 miles from Colfax, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 302.9-mile trip, with 97% of your travel occurring on major roadways like I-94 and the North-South Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 250.7 miles on I-94, meaning extended periods of consistent speed. While primarily interstate, there's a short segment on State Highway 40 that might offer a slight change of pace. This route generally prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways, so settle in for a steady pace.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 250.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 196.2 miles in near I 94.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 302.9 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 196.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

196.2 mi into trip | ~3h 34m 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

260.4 mi into trip | ~4h 44m 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

261 mi into trip | ~4h 45m 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...

270.1 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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

294.7 mi into trip | ~5h 26m 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

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 Colfax, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.

Fond Du Lac

260.4 mi in | ~4h 44m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	250.7 mi	4h 29m
North-South Freeway	23.3 mi	25m
State Highway 40	7.5 mi	10m
Airport Freeway	4.3 mi	5m
Zoo Freeway	4 mi	5m
Burlington Road	3.6 mi	6m
Washington Road	3.3 mi	7m
I 41	1.3 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 250.7 mi, about 4h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, WI and Kenosha, WI.

Start on WI 40

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on WI 40

7.5 mi · 10 min · State Highway 40

Turn left onto US 12

1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12

Turn left

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Merge onto I 94

187 mi · 3 hr 19 min · I 94

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 94

Exit 138A Toward I 94: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 305A-B Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 30 sec · this road

Exit 305A Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago

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

4.0 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41

4.3 mi · 5 min · Airport Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 41; US 41

Exit 10B Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41

23 mi · 25 min · North-South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 340 Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

199 ft · 6 sec

Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha

Turn left onto WI 142

3.6 mi · 6 min · Burlington Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on CTH S

3.3 mi · 7 min · Washington Road

Turn right onto WI 32

0.9 mi · 1 min · Sheridan Road

Turn left onto 54th Street

305 ft · 14 sec · 54th Street

Turn right onto 8th Avenue

0.1 mi · 31 sec · 8th Avenue

Turn right onto 56th Street

43 ft · 1 sec · 56th Street

Arrive at destination

56th Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 42-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Colfax to maximize your day in Kenosha. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 250 miles, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. With a fuel cost estimated at $47, keeping an eye on your gas gauge is practical. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but be aware that the 97% highway share means most of your journey will be at higher speeds.

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 151.4 miles from Colfax, WI, or about 2h 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 250.7 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 151.4 miles or 2h 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 4h 31m

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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, WI

This is one driving day of about 302.9 miles and 5h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colfax, 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 250.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 151.4 mi from Colfax, WI · 2h 46m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

151 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.4 miles from Colfax, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 250.7 miles.

Arriving in Kenosha, WI

The final approach into Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, WI.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.35 one way

$94.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$51.99	$103.99
premium	$4.89	$58.29	$116.58
diesel	$5.61	$66.88	$133.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 106 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	90.9	1	$31.80	$14.54
Efficient EV	75.7	0	$26.50	$12.12
EV Truck/SUV	121.2	1	$42.41	$19.39

Gas CO2

106 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Colfax, WI

Night in Colfax on Tuesday

Local time

11:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kenosha, WI

Night in Kenosha on Tuesday

Local time

11:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°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

14 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 42m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Colfax, WI to Kenosha, WI covers 302.9 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, North-South Freeway, State Highway 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 151.4 miles from Colfax, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Colfax, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.

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Trip from Colfax, WI to Kenosha, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Kenosha, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Colfax, WI

Kenosha, WI

Same local time

14 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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