Origin
Lincoln, WI
Morning in Lincoln on Friday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lincoln, WI to Kenosha, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
173.7 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincoln, WI
Ramon Perucho
Kenosha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 173.7-mile drive from Lincoln to Kenosha, Wisconsin, is a straightforward 3-hour and 32-minute journey. With a 90% highway share, it's an efficient trip that's perfectly suited for a single day, saving you the need for an overnight stay. Your estimated fuel cost for this Midwest adventure is around $27. The route primarily utilizes I 43 and the North-South Freeway, offering a direct path between these two Wisconsin locations. Expect a focused highway experience that gets you to your destination without much fuss.
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
86.8 miles from Lincoln, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 173.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 90% of the route taking place on major freeways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 43, including an uninterrupted stretch of 118.8 miles. This means you'll encounter consistent speeds and straightforward navigation for most of your trip. The North-South Freeway and State Highway 57 also contribute to this predominantly high-speed environment. Prepare for a drive where efficiency and covering ground are the main priorities.
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.
I 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and North-South Freeway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 22.1 miles in near I 43.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 173.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 22.1 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
22.1 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 43
Merge onto I 43
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
141.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
165.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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
165.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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 Lincoln, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East and Chicago.
Wis 94 East
141.1 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via I 94
Chicago
141.1 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via I 94
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 43 | 118.8 mi | 2h 12m |
| North-South Freeway | 24.5 mi | 27m |
| State Highway 57 | 13.8 mi | 15m |
| County Road S | 6.6 mi | 16m |
| Burlington Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Washington Road | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| County Road DK | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Sheridan Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 118.8 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Red River Lincoln T L Road
84 ft
·
5 sec
·
Red River Lincoln T L Road
2
Turn right onto CTH S
4.1 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road S
3
Continue on CTH S
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
County Road S
4
At end of road, turn left onto CTH DK
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road DK
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
6
Merge onto WI 57
14 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 57
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
8
Merge onto I 43
119 mi
·
2 hr 12 min
·
I 43
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 316-319
Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
Use 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 the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 32 minutes, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider an early morning start to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Kenosha. While the drive is under 4 hours, planning for one stop is recommended, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $27 is helpful for budgeting. A practical tip for this route is to stay aware of any construction or lane closures on I 43, as it's the primary artery for the longest stretch.
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 86.8 miles from Lincoln, WI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.8 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 38 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 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 Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, WI
This is one driving day of about 173.7 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Lincoln, 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 I 43 for about 118.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.8 mi from Lincoln, WI · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.8 miles from Lincoln, 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 118.8 miles.
Arriving in Kenosha, WI
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.16 one way
$54.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.82 | $59.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.43 | $66.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.35 | $76.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.24 | $8.34 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.20 | $6.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.32 | $11.12 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Morning in Kenosha on Friday
Local time
7:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 to 10 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:50AM CDT until April 19 at 1:40AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:46AM CDT until April 21 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
1 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
3h 32m 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 Lincoln, WI to Kenosha, WI covers 173.7 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 43, North-South Freeway, State Highway 57. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.8 miles from Lincoln, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.16 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 22.1 miles (I 43): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.1 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lincoln, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East and Chicago.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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