Medford, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is 213.2 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I 41 and US 10, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest trip stays within Wisconsin and is a straightforward, highway-focused drive. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it’s well-suited for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
106.6 miles from Medford, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
67.4 mi
1h 12m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
WI 29
33.9 mi
40m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
State Highway 13
11.8 mi
17m
WI 29 Business
1.4 mi
2m
South 8th Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 67.4 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medford, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
1
Start on South 4th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South 4th Street
2
Turn left onto East Perkins Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·East Perkins Street
3
Turn slight right
259 ft·9 sec
4
Turn straight onto WI 13
0.9 mi·2 min·South 8th Street
5
Continue on WI 13
12 mi·17 min·State Highway 13
6
Continue on WI 13
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
7
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
1.4 mi·2 min·WI 29 Business
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
9
Merge onto WI 29
29 mi·33 min·WI 29
10
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.
11
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
12
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
13
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
14
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.
15
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.
16
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
17
Merge onto I 41; US 41
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 52Toward CTH Q: County Line RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto CTH Q
0.1 mi·18 sec·County Line Road
20
Turn slight left
386 ft·19 sec
21
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·River Crest Drive
22
Turn left onto WI 175
0.8 mi·2 min·Appleton Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
WI 175
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $33, this trip offers flexibility. Leaving in the morning from Medford will have you arriving in Menomonee Falls with plenty of daylight to spare. While there's only one recommended stop on this route, consider breaking up the longest stretch of 67.4 miles on I 41 for a quick stretch or to top off your fuel tank, especially if you're driving in colder weather which can impact fuel efficiency.
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 106.6 miles from Medford, WI, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.4 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 47 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.6 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Menomonee Falls, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medford, 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 Medford, WI
This is one driving day of about 213.2 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Medford, 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 67.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 45 and 211.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
45 mi into trip|~1h 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
6
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
8
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
7
211.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.33 one way
$66.66 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.60
$73.19
premium
$4.89
$41.03
$82.06
diesel
$5.61
$47.07
$94.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64
0
$22.39
$10.23
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.65
$8.53
EV Truck/SUV
85.3
1
$29.85
$13.64
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 18, 2026
Origin
Medford, WI
Afternoon
in Medford on Saturday
Local time
3:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
W 14 to 20 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:43AM CDT until April 20 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:40AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Afternoon
in Menomonee Falls on Saturday
Local time
3:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Sunny
W 15 to 20 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:43AM CDT until April 20 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 6:40AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
67°F
Garfield, WI
107 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 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
4h 12m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 98% of the 213.2-mile journey on major roads like I 41, US 10, and WI 29. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 67.4 miles on I 41, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. This route is designed for forward momentum, minimizing stops and maximizing your time on the faster, more direct highways. It's a drive built for efficiency rather than winding country roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 45 miles in near WI 29.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 213.2 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 45 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medford, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
45 mi in|~1h|via WI 29
Waupaca
79.4 mi in|~1h 38m|via US 10; WI 66
Appleton
79.4 mi in|~1h 38m|via US 10; WI 66
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 213.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.4 miles on I 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Menomonee Falls, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 45 miles (WI 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Menomonee Falls, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
