Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
148.5 mi
239 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Kewaunee, WI to Kenosha, WI covers 148.5 miles and takes about 3h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 43, North-South Freeway, State Highway 42 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.7 miles on I 43. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.56 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
74.2 miles from Kewaunee, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
This is a 3h 10m highway drive covering 148.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 43 and North-South Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 81.7 miles on I 43.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in near WI 42 / Washington Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 148.5 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 23.3 miles (WI 42 / Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.9 miles (CTH Q / North 18th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto WI 42 / Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto CTH Q / North 18th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
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 CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Kewaunee, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East, Chicago, Cth S: Kenosha, Burlington and Cth S East: Gateway Technical College.
Wis 94 East
Chicago
Cth S: Kenosha
Burlington
Cth S East: Gateway Technical College
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 43 | 81.7 mi | 1h 33m |
| North-South Freeway | 24.5 mi | 27m |
| State Highway 42 | 19.2 mi | 28m |
| Memorial Drive | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Burlington Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Washington Road | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| Calumet Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Lincoln Avenue | 2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kewaunee, WI and Kenosha, WI.
Start on WI 29
Turn right onto WI 42
Continue on WI 42
Continue on WI 42
Turn slight right onto WI 42
Turn left onto WI 42
Continue on WI 42
Enter roundabout onto US 10
Continue on US 10
Turn left onto CTH Q
Continue on Revere Drive
Continue on South 21st Street
Turn right onto WI 42
Continue on WI 42
Turn left
Merge onto I 43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Continue on I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto WI 142
Continue on CTH S
Turn right onto WI 32
Turn left onto 54th Street
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
Turn right onto 56th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.2 miles or 1h 39m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenosha, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kewaunee, 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 Kewaunee, WI
This is one driving day of about 148.5 miles and 3h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.2 mi from Kewaunee, WI · 1h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 74.2 miles from Kewaunee, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.7 miles.
The final approach into Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$22.56 one way
$45.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $24.86 | $49.73 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.03 | $56.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.99 | $65.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.59 | $7.13 |
| Efficient EV | 37.1 | 0 | $12.99 | $5.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.79 | $9.50 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Kewaunee on Saturday
Local time
5:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
5:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Waukegan, IL
74 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
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.
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