This 102.3-mile drive from Kiel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 18 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, especially with a modest fuel cost estimated at $16. The route primarily utilizes State Highway 57 and the North-South Freeway, offering a highway-focused experience. You'll be traveling within the familiar Midwest region throughout your trip. This drive is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two Wisconsin cities without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.1 miles from Kiel, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 102.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 102.3-mile trip, with 90% of the route on freeways and highways. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 64.6 miles on State Highway 57, offering a consistent pace. While the main roads are primarily State Highway 57 and the North-South Freeway, Burlington Road is also part of the journey. This route is designed for getting you to your destination efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 57 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near WI 32; WI 57 / South 1st Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 102.3 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 0.3 miles (WI 32; WI 57 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.7 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|WI 32; WI 57 / South 1st Street
Turn right onto WI 32; WI 57 / South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|I 94 / North-South Freeway
Continue onto I 94 / North-South Freeway toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, Chicago
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 316-319
Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College...
8
94 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
7
94.3 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
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
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, K...
5
102.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|56th Street
Turn right onto 56th Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kiel, 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
69.7 mi in|~1h 34m|via I 94
Chicago
69.7 mi in|~1h 34m|via I 94
Cth S: Kenosha
94 mi in|~2h 1m
Burlington
94 mi in|~2h 1m
Cth S East: Gateway Technical College
94.3 mi in|~2h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 57
64.6 mi
1h 26m
North-South Freeway
24.5 mi
27m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
WI 32
3.5 mi
5m
Washington Road
3.3 mi
7m
Sheridan Road
0.9 mi
1m
North Mill Street
0.8 mi
1m
East Water Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 57
— 64.6 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kiel, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on WI 32; WI 57
0.3 mi·30 sec·Fremont Street
2
Turn right onto WI 32; WI 57
449 ft·7 sec·South 1st Street
3
Turn slight left onto WI 32; WI 57
0.3 mi·29 sec·East Water Street
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 32; WI 57
143 ft·2 sec·WI 32; WI 57
5
Continue on WI 32; WI 57
3.4 mi·5 min·WI 32; WI 57
6
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 57
15 mi·22 min·State Highway 57
7
Continue on WI 28; WI 57
0.8 mi·1 min·North Mill Street
8
Continue on WI 57
50 mi·1 hr 4 min·State Highway 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
0.2 mi·16 sec·North-South Freeway
10
Continue on I 94
24 mi·27 min·North-South Freeway
Exit 316-319Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
13
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
15
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
16
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
17
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
18
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
19
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given its 2-hour and 18-minute duration, this drive is best tackled in one go, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about splitting the journey or extensive rest stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $16. A good tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from State Highway 57 to the North-South Freeway, ensuring you're in the correct lane to maintain your momentum. The longest stretch of 64.6 miles on State Highway 57 means you can settle in for a good period.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.1 miles from Kiel, WI, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 23 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.1 miles or 1h 10m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenosha, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kiel, 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 Kiel, WI
This is one driving day of about 102.3 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Kiel, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 57 for about 64.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.1 mi from Kiel, WI
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.99 one way
$31.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.56
$35.12
premium
$4.89
$19.69
$39.37
diesel
$5.61
$22.59
$45.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.7
0
$10.74
$4.91
Efficient EV
25.6
0
$8.95
$4.09
EV Truck/SUV
40.9
0
$14.32
$6.55
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Kiel, WI
Morning
in Kiel on Friday
Local time
9:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Morning
in Kenosha on Friday
Local time
9:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
2h 18m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kiel, WI to Kenosha, WI covers 102.3 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 57, North-South Freeway, Burlington Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.1 miles from Kiel, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 102.3 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 0.3 miles (WI 32; WI 57 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.7 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kiel, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East, Chicago, Cth S: Kenosha, Burlington and Cth S East: Gateway Technical College.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
