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Trip from Kenosha, WI to Mauston, WI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

176 mi

283 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Kenosha County, Wisconsin and part of the Chicago metropolitan area, known as Chicagoland

Kenosha, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Mauston, WI, WI

Mauston, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Kenosha, WI to Mauston, WI covers 176 miles and takes about 3h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on East-West Freeway, I 90, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.8 miles on East-West Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.52 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

88 miles from Kenosha, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 176 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 22m highway drive covering 176 miles, with most of the trip on East-West Freeway and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.8 miles on East-West Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 63.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 90. 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.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 176 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 19 key points

These 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 Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Kenosha, WI and Mauston, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee and Eau Claire.

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East-West Freeway 63.8 mi 1h 9m
I 90 39.3 mi 42m
I 94 29.1 mi 31m
I 41 28.5 mi 33m
Airport Freeway 4.6 mi 6m
Burlington Road 3.7 mi 6m
Washington Road 3 mi 6m
Sheridan Road 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: East-West Freeway — 63.8 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kenosha, WI and Mauston, 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

39 mi · 42 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 69 Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
19

Turn left onto State Highway 82

0.8 mi · 1 min · State Highway 82
20

At end of road, turn left onto WI 58; WI 82; CTH G

0.2 mi · 23 sec · North Union Street
21

Turn right onto US 12; WI 16

0.3 mi · 59 sec · East State Street
22

Turn left onto Division Street

64 ft · 1 sec · Division Street
23

Arrive at destination

Division Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88 miles from Kenosha, WI, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 39 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 88 miles or 1h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mauston, 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 176 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Kenosha, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 63.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 88 mi from Kenosha, WI · 1h 46m into the drive

village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cottage Grove, WI

88 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

West Allis, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Farmington, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88 miles from Kenosha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 miles.

Arriving in Mauston, WI

The final approach into Mauston, 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 Mauston, 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

$27.52 one way

$55.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.21 $60.42
premium $4.89 $33.87 $67.74
diesel $5.61 $38.86 $77.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.8 0 $18.48 $8.45
Efficient EV 44 0 $15.40 $7.04
EV Truck/SUV 70.4 0 $24.64 $11.26

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Kenosha, WI

Evening in Kenosha on Thursday

Local time

5:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 5 to 15 mph 80% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:28PM CDT until April 19 at 4:34PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 9:26PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Destination

Mauston, WI

Evening in Mauston on Thursday

Local time

5:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Cottage Grove, WI

88 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.

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

12 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

3h 22m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Kenosha, WI to Mauston, WI covers 176 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East-West Freeway, I 90, I 94. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88 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 $27.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 176 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 Mauston, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee and Eau Claire.

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