Trip from Dunkirk, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI

Drive Time

1h 44m

Distance

79.3 mi

128 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m

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

Downtown Dunkirk, WI, WI

Dunkirk, WI

Jan van der Wolf

Downtown Menomonee Falls, WI, WI

Menomonee Falls, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Dunkirk to Menomonee Falls, you are looking at a straightforward 79.3-mile journey through the heart of Wisconsin. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 44 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budget roughly $12 for fuel, keeping the costs manageable for a quick getaway. Because both locations are situated within the Midwest, the transition between regions is seamless and familiar. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend change of pace, this trip is short enough to remain flexible without needing an intense itinerary.

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

39.7 miles from Dunkirk, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with about 64% of your time spent on major routes. You will spend a significant portion of the trip navigating I-94, which includes your longest uninterrupted stretch of 50.5 miles. Outside of the interstate, the route transitions into County Highway N and West Main Street to finalize your arrival. Expect the personality of the road to shift from the fast-paced, high-volume flow of the interstate to the more controlled environment of local roads. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed over scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 50.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and County Highway N. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in near CTH N / County Highway N.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.3 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 8.4 miles (CTH N / County Highway N): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.5 miles (CTH N / County Highway N): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 15.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
8.4 mi into trip | ~14m in | CTH N / County Highway N

Enter roundabout onto CTH N / County Highway N

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
8.5 mi into trip | ~14m in | CTH N / County Highway N

Enter roundabout onto CTH N / County Highway N

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
15.9 mi into trip | ~25m in

Enter roundabout toward I 94 East: Milwaukee

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
8
66.7 mi into trip | ~1h 20m 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
67 mi into trip | ~1h 21m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Dunkirk, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.

Cth F: Waukesha

66.7 mi in | ~1h 20m

Sussex

66.7 mi in | ~1h 20m

Cth F North: Waukesha

67 mi in | ~1h 21m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 50.5 mi 54m
County Highway N 9.9 mi 14m
West Main Street 4.6 mi 9m
Redford Boulevard 4.5 mi 7m
County Road N 3.3 mi 6m
South Main Street 1.8 mi 2m
Waukesha Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
Main Street 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 50.5 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CTH N

1.8 mi · 4 min · County Road N
2

Continue on CTH N

0.9 mi · 1 min · Veterans Road
3

Continue on CTH N

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Highway N
4

Continue on CTH B; CTH N

1.5 mi · 2 min · County Road N
5

Continue on CTH N

2.4 mi · 3 min · County Highway N
6

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

121 ft · 2 sec · County Highway N
7

Continue on CTH N

0.2 mi · 31 sec · County Highway N
8

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

83 ft · 2 sec · County Highway N
9

Continue on CTH N

0.1 mi · 17 sec · County Highway N
10

Enter roundabout onto CTH N

54 ft · 1 sec · County Highway N
11

Continue on CTH N

4.8 mi · 7 min · County Highway N
12

Continue on CTH N

1.8 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
13

Continue on CTH N

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Highway N
14

Enter roundabout

14 ft · 0 sec
Toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
15

Continue

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 94 East: Milwaukee
16

Merge onto I 94

50 mi · 54 min · I 94
Use the none lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Exit 295 Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

188 ft · 6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
19

Turn left onto CTH F

4.5 mi · 7 min · Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
20

Continue on CTH F

1.5 mi · 2 min · Waukesha Avenue
21

Turn straight

374 ft · 12 sec
22

Turn straight onto CTH F

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
Use the none lane.
23

At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Town Line Road
24

Enter roundabout onto CTH F

74 ft · 4 sec · West Main Street
25

Continue on CTH F

4.6 mi · 9 min · West Main Street
Use the none lane.
26

Turn left onto WI 175

21 ft · 0 sec · Appleton Avenue
27

Arrive at destination

WI 175

Trip Plan

Since the trip is under two hours, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time based on traffic patterns rather than fatigue management. Aim to avoid peak commuting hours if you want to keep your travel time closer to the 1 hour and 44-minute estimate. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the freedom to decide when you need to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep in mind that with 50.5 miles of the trip concentrated on I-94, you should stay alert for merging traffic during that primary stretch. Flexibility is your best asset here, so feel free to adjust your departure to best suit your personal schedule.

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 39.7 miles from Dunkirk, WI, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 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 79.3 miles or 1h 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39.7 miles or 51m 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 21m

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 Dunkirk, 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 Dunkirk, WI

This is one driving day of about 79.3 miles and 1h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dunkirk, 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 94 for about 50.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.7 mi from Dunkirk, WI · 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

40 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 79.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Dunkirk, 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

$12.04 one way

$24.09 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $13.28 $26.56
premium $4.80 $14.97 $29.94
diesel $5.64 $17.62 $35.24

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

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.8 0 $8.33 $3.81
Efficient EV 19.8 0 $6.94 $3.17
EV Truck/SUV 31.7 0 $11.10 $5.08

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Dunkirk, WI

Evening in Dunkirk on Sunday

Local time

5:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Menomonee Falls, WI

Evening in Menomonee Falls on Sunday

Local time

5:28 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 44m 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 Dunkirk, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 79.3 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, County Highway N, West Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.7 miles from Dunkirk, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.04 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 79.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.4 miles (CTH N / County Highway N): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.5 miles (CTH N / County Highway N): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 15.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Between Dunkirk, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Menomonee Falls, WI to Dunkirk, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

79.3 mi 1h 43m

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

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