Little Black, WI to Kenosha, WI is 264.9 miles and takes about 5h 17m via I 41 and US 10, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. You can expect a consistent pace for most of the 5-hour trip, allowing for a relaxed departure or arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.4 miles from Little Black, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 264.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the route utilizing major roads like I 41, US 10, and WI 29. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 87.4 miles on I 41, which means a consistent cruising speed for a significant portion of your journey. The drive is characterized by its efficiency and directness, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. Expect a predictable driving experience as you navigate these well-maintained state and interstate highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.6 miles in near WI 29.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 264.9 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 42.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
42.6 mi into trip|~55m in|WI 29
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29 toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, Madison
8
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
128.2 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
232.1 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
8
256.7 mi into trip|~5h 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Little Black, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
42.6 mi in|~55m|via WI 29
Waupaca
77 mi in|~1h 33m|via US 10; WI 66
Appleton
77 mi in|~1h 33m|via US 10; WI 66
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
87.4 mi
1h 38m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
WI 29
33.9 mi
40m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
North-South Freeway
23.3 mi
25m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
State Highway 13
10.7 mi
15m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Black, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Black Birch Drive
94 ft·9 sec·Black Birch Drive
2
Turn left onto Apple Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Apple Avenue
3
Turn right onto WI 13
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 13
4
Continue on WI 13
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
5
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·WI 29 Business
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
7
Merge onto WI 29
29 mi·33 min·WI 29
8
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 29
4.5 mi·6 min·WI 29
Toward US 51 South: Green Bay, MadisonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
10
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
11
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 10; WI 66
Exit 158Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi·1 hr·US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, WaupacaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
15
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi·25 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
21
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
23
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
24
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
25
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
26
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
27
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for an optional stop if needed. While the drive is efficient, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 41. Planning your fuel stop before hitting that 87.4-mile segment will ensure a smooth continuation of your journey towards Kenosha.
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 132.4 miles from Little Black, WI, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
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 Little Black, 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 Little Black, WI
This is one driving day of about 264.9 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Little Black, 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 41 for about 87.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.4 mi from Little Black, WI
· 2h 40m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.41 one way
$82.83 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.47
$90.94
premium
$4.89
$50.98
$101.96
diesel
$5.61
$58.49
$116.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.81
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.09
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Little Black, WI
Late night
in Little Black on Saturday
Local time
1:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Late night
in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
1:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:28PM CDT until April 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:28PM CDT until April 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS La Crosse 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
5 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
5h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Little Black, WI to Kenosha, WI covers 264.9 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, US 10, WI 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.4 miles from Little Black, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.41 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 264.9 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 42.6 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Little Black, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
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.
