Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
113.6 mi
183 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenosha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Madison, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Planning a trip from Kenosha to Madison? This 113.6-mile drive will take you about 2 hours and 22 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on the East-West Freeway and I-41, with a small portion on Airport Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, it's an economical journey across Wisconsin's Midwest landscape. This route is almost entirely highway, so expect a direct and efficient transit between these two Wisconsin cities. Since there are no recommended stops, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.8 miles from Kenosha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 113.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 63.8 miles on the East-West Freeway without interruption, indicating a fairly consistent pace for much of the journey. The overall profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. Expect the road character to remain largely consistent, as you'll be on well-maintained, high-speed corridors for the majority of your 113.6 miles.
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 113.6 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30 toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Madison, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Milwaukee.
Fond Du Lac
Milwaukee
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 63.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 41 | 28.5 mi | 33m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Burlington Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| WI 30 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Washington Road | 3 mi | 6m |
| East Washington Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| East Gorham Street | 1.7 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Madison, WI.
Start on 56th Street
Turn right onto WI 32
Turn left onto CTH S
Continue on Burlington Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41
Continue on I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30
Take the exit
Turn sharp right onto US 151
Turn right onto North Baldwin Street
Turn left onto East Gorham Street
Continue on CTH MS
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour 22-minute duration, departing Kenosha in the morning or early afternoon is ideal to avoid potential traffic. You won't need to plan for overnight stops on this 113.6-mile trip, offering great flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $18 cost suggests a straightforward fuel purchase strategy. Since this is a highway-centric route with no designated stops, consider packing snacks and drinks to maximize your time on the road. A good tip is to be aware of potential construction zones on I-41, which can occasionally cause delays.
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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Madison, WI than in the middle of the route.
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 113.6 miles and 2h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.8 mi from Kenosha, WI · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 56.8 miles from Kenosha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 miles.
The final approach into Madison, 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 Madison, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$17.76 one way
$35.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.50 | $39.00 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.86 | $43.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.08 | $50.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.93 | $5.45 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.94 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.90 | $7.27 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Afternoon in Kenosha on Thursday
Local time
2:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Madison on Thursday
Local time
2:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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