Origin
Kenosha, WI
Morning in Kenosha on Monday
Local time
7:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kenosha, WI to Iron River, WI
Drive Time
8h 13m
Distance
429.1 mi
691 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 6m
★
6 AM
8h 13m
8 AM
8h 29m
10 AM
8h 19m
12 PM
8h 17m
3 PM
8h 20m
5 PM
8h 28m
8 PM
8h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenosha, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Kenosha, WI to Iron River, WI covers 429.1 miles and takes about 8h 13m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US 53, I 94, East-West Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 130.4 miles on US 53. At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.18 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
214.5 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 8h 13m highway drive covering 429.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 53 and I 94. The longest continuous stretch is about 130.4 miles on US 53.
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.
US 53 is the longest continuous segment at about 130.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 53 and I 94. 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 22 significant decision points across 429.1 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 22 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
9
105.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
Towns Along This Route
Between Kenosha, WI and Iron River, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Saint Paul and Superior.
Fond Du Lac
30.8 mi in
|
~40m
|
via I 41; I 94; US 41
Milwaukee
41.2 mi in
|
~55m
Eau Claire
105.9 mi in
|
~2h 6m
|
via I 94
Saint Paul
198.5 mi in
|
~3h 45m
|
via I 94
Superior
274.6 mi in
|
~5h 6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 53 | 130.4 mi | 2h 27m |
| I 94 | 105.2 mi | 1h 52m |
| East-West Freeway | 63.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 90 | 63.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 41 | 28.5 mi | 33m |
| Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| County Road B | 6.1 mi | 10m |
| Coolidge Memorial Highway | 6 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 53
— 130.4 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Iron River, 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 straight lane.
4
Continue on Burlington Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Burlington Road
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 straight / slight right lanes.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the 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
14
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint Paul
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 53: Eau Claire, Superior
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 53 North: Eau Claire, Superior
21
Merge onto US 53
130 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
US 53
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto CTH B
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road B
23
Turn right onto CTH B
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Coolidge Memorial Highway
24
Continue on WI 27
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 27
25
Turn right onto US 2
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Major Richard I. Bong Memorial Highway
26
Turn right onto CTH H
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
Oneida Street
Use the right lane.
27
Arrive at destination
CTH H
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 214.5 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 4h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 94 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214.5 miles or 4h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 214.5 miles or 4h 2m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iron River, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kenosha, WI
Aim for roughly 215 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Iron River, WI
Aim for roughly 215 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Kenosha, WI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 53 for about 130.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 214.5 mi from Kenosha, WI · 4h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
215 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Stockton, ILOvernight Options
Night 1
215 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Stockton, IL after about 215 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 214.5 miles from Kenosha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 53 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 215 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in Iron River, WI
The final approach into Iron River, 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 Iron River, WI.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Iron River, WI with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$65.18 one way
$130.35 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
150 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $71.85 | $143.70 |
| premium | $4.80 | $81.01 | $162.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $95.33 | $190.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$195–$305
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.7 | 1 | $45.06 | $20.60 |
| Efficient EV | 107.3 | 1 | $37.55 | $17.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171.6 | 2 | $60.07 | $27.46 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 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.
Destination
Iron River, WI
Morning in Iron River on Monday
Local time
7:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
73°F
Stockton, IL
215 mi in
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 13m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Iron River, WI covers 429.1 miles and takes about 8h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 53, I 94, East-West Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 215 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 214.5 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 $65.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 429.1 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 Iron River, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Saint Paul and Superior.
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