Origin
Kenosha, WI
Afternoon in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kenosha, WI to Cottage Grove, WI
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
104.3 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenosha, WI
Tom Fisk
Cottage Grove, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Kenosha to Cottage Grove is a straightforward 104.3-mile journey across Wisconsin that typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Because this is a compact trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend roughly $16 on fuel for the round trip, making it an affordable regional drive. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, keeping your travel time efficient as you navigate from the southeastern corner of the state toward the Madison area. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the predictability of this highway-focused path makes planning simple and stress-free.
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
52.2 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as this route is comprised of 89% highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the East-West Freeway, I-41, and the Airport Freeway, which provide a consistent, high-capacity road surface. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 59.5 miles on the East-West Freeway, allowing you to settle into a steady pace for the majority of the trip. While you won't encounter technical twists or slow backroads, the transition between these major arteries defines the mechanical feel of the drive. It is a classic Midwestern interstate commute that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East-West Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 59.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.8 miles in near I 41; I 94; US 41.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 104.3 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 30.8 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
30.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 41; I 94; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Ma...
8
37 mi into trip
|
~49m 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...
8
41.2 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
41.4 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
8
101.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
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 244
Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Towns Along This Route
Between Kenosha, WI and Cottage Grove, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Milwaukee.
Fond Du Lac
30.8 mi in
|
~40m
|
via I 41; I 94; US 41
Milwaukee
41.2 mi in
|
~55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 59.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 41 | 28.5 mi | 33m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Burlington Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Washington Road | 3 mi | 6m |
| North Main Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Sheridan Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| County Highway N | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Cottage Grove, WI.
1
Start on 56th Street
265 ft
·
11 sec
·
56th Street
2
Turn right onto WI 32
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Road
3
Turn left onto CTH S
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Washington Road
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on Burlington Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Burlington Road
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West
6
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 41; I 94; US 41
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 41; I 94; US 41
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 41; US 41
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
4.2 mi
·
5 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.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the none lane.
14
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
49 mi
·
52 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 244
Toward CTH N: Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
200 ft
·
3 sec
·
County Highway N
18
Continue on CTH N
511 ft
·
8 sec
·
County Highway N
19
Enter roundabout onto CTH N
90 ft
·
1 sec
·
County Highway N
20
Continue on CTH N
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway N
Use the none lane.
21
Continue on CTH N
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
CTH N
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns around major freeway interchanges is a smart move to ensure you maintain your estimated arrival window. Given that there are no mandatory stops built into the route, you can easily power through the entire 104.3 miles without needing to refuel or break unless you prefer to take a breather. If you want to keep your trip as efficient as possible, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the main freeway sections. Planning your departure to avoid the morning or evening rush will make your time behind the wheel much smoother.
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 52.2 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 1h 8m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottage Grove, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, WI
This is one driving day of about 104.3 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kenosha, 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 East-West Freeway for about 59.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.2 mi from Kenosha, WI · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.2 miles from Kenosha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cottage Grove, WI
The final approach into Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, 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
$15.84 one way
$31.68 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $17.46 | $34.93 |
| premium | $4.80 | $19.69 | $39.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.17 | $46.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.01 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.68 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Cottage Grove, WI
Afternoon in Cottage Grove on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
2h 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 Kenosha, WI to Cottage Grove, WI covers 104.3 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East-West Freeway, I 41, Airport Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.2 miles from Kenosha, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.84 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 16 significant decision points across 104.3 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: at 30.8 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kenosha, WI and Cottage Grove, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Milwaukee.
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