Origin
Kenosha, WI
Night in Kenosha on Wednesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
54 mi
87 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenosha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Darien, WI
Carlos Batista
This 54-mile journey from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Darien, Wisconsin, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it offers a practical way to travel within the Midwest region. You'll primarily navigate via 75th Street, State Highway 50, and I-43, with a little less than half of the drive on highway roads. Expect a fuel cost of around $8 for this route. The mixed terrain makes for a comfortable and manageable excursion.
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
27 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
The character of this drive is best described as a mixed bag, offering both highway speeds and local road navigation. With 48% of the route on highways, you'll experience some faster travel, balanced by stretches on local routes. The longest uninterrupted segment measures 13.9 miles along 75th Street, giving you a good feel for the local roads before transitioning to faster sections. This blend ensures the drive doesn't become monotonous, providing varied driving experiences as you progress from Kenosha to Darien.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.1 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54 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 39.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 43, CTH NN: Beloit, Milwaukee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 43: Milwaukee, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 43 South: Delavan, Beloit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 43
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kenosha, WI and Darien, WI, road signs point toward Cth Nn: Beloit, Milwaukee and Beloit.
Cth Nn: Beloit
Milwaukee
Beloit
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 75th Street | 13.9 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 50 | 12.6 mi | 18m |
| I 43 | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Geneva Road | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Roosevelt Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| US 14 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| 63rd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Sheridan Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Darien, WI.
Start on 56th Street
Turn left onto WI 32
Turn right onto WI 50
Turn slight left onto WI 50
Continue on WI 50
Continue on WI 50
Continue on WI 50
Continue on WI 50; WI 83
Continue on WI 50
Take the exit
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 43
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 14
Turn left onto CTH X
Turn left onto Wisconsin Street
Turn right onto East Fremont Street
Arrive at destination
Given its short 1 hour and 16-minute duration, this trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour congestion in Kenosha. With no designated stops provided, you can easily adjust your schedule for brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $8, and it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transition from the more urban feel around Kenosha to the more rural landscape as you approach Darien.
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.
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 12 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27 miles or 42m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Darien, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kenosha, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kenosha, WI
This is one driving day of about 54 miles and 1h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27 mi from Kenosha, WI · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27 miles from Kenosha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Darien, 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.
Regular Gas
$8.44 one way
$16.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.27 | $18.54 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.39 | $20.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.92 | $23.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.67 | $2.59 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.73 | $2.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Kenosha on Wednesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Darien on Wednesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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