Origin
Lake Mills, WI
Night in Lake Mills on Thursday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Mills, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
49.3 mi
79 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Mills, WI
Tom Fisk
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 49.3-mile drive from Lake Mills to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-94, making it a highway-focused journey through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $8, this route is quite economical. The relatively short distance and focused road profile mean you can complete this trip without needing an overnight stop, offering flexibility in your schedule.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 49.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 49.3-mile route, with 72% of the drive on major roadways like I-94. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 35.5 miles on I-94, offering a chance for steady progress. While much of the journey will be on the interstate, you will transition to West Main Street and Redford Boulevard as you approach your destination. This shift from high-speed highway driving to more local roads is typical as you enter a populated area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
958 ft
804 ft
Total Climb
181 ft
Total Descent
157 ft
Highest Point
958 ft
~28.1 mi in
Elevation Range
154 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and West Main Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 89; CTH G / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 89; CTH G / North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 89; CTH G / North Main Street
Turn sharp left onto WI 89; CTH G / North Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
36.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
7
36.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
5
44.2 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
CTH F; CTH V / Town Line Road
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V / Town Line Road
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 Lake Mills, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.
Cth F: Waukesha
36.6 mi in
|
~40m
Sussex
36.6 mi in
|
~40m
Cth F North: Waukesha
36.9 mi in
|
~40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 35.5 mi | 38m |
| West Main Street | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| Redford Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| Waukesha Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Town Line Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 35.5 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Mills, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on CTH B
33 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Madison Street
2
Turn sharp left onto WI 89; CTH G
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
4
Merge onto I 94
36 mi
·
38 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
188 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex
7
Turn left onto CTH F
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Redford Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on CTH F
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Waukesha Avenue
9
Turn straight
374 ft
·
12 sec
10
Turn straight onto CTH F
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto CTH F; CTH V
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Town Line Road
12
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
74 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Main Street
13
Continue on CTH F
4.6 mi
·
9 min
·
West Main Street
14
Turn left onto WI 175
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Appleton Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 mi from Lake Mills, WI · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Lake Mills, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Menomonee Falls, WI
The final approach into Menomonee Falls, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.71 one way
$15.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.46 | $16.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.49 | $18.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.88 | $21.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Night in Menomonee Falls on Thursday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 3m 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 Lake Mills, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 49.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, West Main Street, Redford Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.6 miles from Lake Mills, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.71 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 89; CTH G / North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.1 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lake Mills, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 804 ft to 958 ft elevation with about 181 ft of total climbing.
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