Origin
Greendale, WI
Evening in Greendale on Sunday
Local time
6:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greendale, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI
Drive Time
34m
Distance
21.5 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greendale, WI
Aleksandra Glemyaz
Menomonee Falls, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Greendale to Menomonee Falls, you are looking at a very manageable 21.5-mile journey. Expect to spend about 34 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes I-41, South 76th Street, and Main Street to navigate between these two Midwest locations. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. Since both origin and destination are situated within Wisconsin, the trip keeps you firmly rooted in the Midwest, offering a straightforward commute rather than a long-haul adventure.
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
10.8 miles from Greendale, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 16.9 miles along I-41. While the interstate portion provides a fast, efficient pace, the character of the drive shifts once you transition onto South 76th Street and Main Street to reach your final destination. Expect a blend of open highway cruising followed by more localized surface street driving as you approach Menomonee Falls. It is a functional, efficient route designed for getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and South 76th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broad Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 21.5 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: near the start (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Northway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (CTH U / South 76th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Broad Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northway
Turn left onto Northway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CTH U / South 76th Street
Turn right onto CTH U / South 76th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
3.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 41; I 894; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US...
7
20.2 mi into trip
|
~30m 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 Greendale, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Pilgrim Road South along the way.
Pilgrim Road South
20.2 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 16.9 mi | 22m |
| South 76th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Northway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Layton Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Airport Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pilgrim Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Grange Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 16.9 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greendale, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on Schoolway
27 ft
·
6 sec
·
Schoolway
2
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Broad Street
3
Turn left onto Northway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto West Grange Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
West Grange Avenue
5
Turn right onto CTH U
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 76th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn slight left
257 ft
·
13 sec
7
Turn left onto West Layton Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Layton Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto South 84th Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
South 84th Street
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 43 South, I 894 West, I 41 North
10
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Airport Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
17 mi
·
22 min
·
I 41; I 894; US 41
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 51B
Toward Pilgrim Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Pilgrim Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Pilgrim Road
Use the none lane.
14
Turn right onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
15
Turn right onto WI 175
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Appleton Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
Because this drive is short and direct, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 34-minute trip without needing any scheduled stops, though keeping an eye on traffic patterns along I-41 is always a smart move. Given the low $3 fuel cost, you won't need to stress about finding the cheapest pump along the way. Since the route is so compact, use your extra time to plan your arrival in Menomonee Falls rather than worrying about mid-trip logistics. Prioritize checking the status of I-41 before you head out to ensure your drive remains as efficient as the data suggests.
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 10.8 miles from Greendale, WI, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.9 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 21.5 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.8 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
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 Greendale, 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 Greendale, WI
This is one driving day of about 21.5 miles and 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Greendale, 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 41 for about 16.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.8 mi from Greendale, WI · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.8 miles from Greendale, 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
$3.27 one way
$6.53 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
| premium | $4.80 | $4.06 | $8.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.78 | $9.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.26 | $1.03 |
| Efficient EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.88 | $0.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 Sunday
Local time
6:06 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
1 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
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 Greendale, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 21.5 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, South 76th Street, 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 10.8 miles from Greendale, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.27 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 21.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Northway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (CTH U / South 76th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Greendale, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Pilgrim Road South along the way.
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