The drive from Menomonee Falls, WI to Wautoma, WI covers 105.6 miles and takes about 2h 14m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 41, State Highway 21, East Main Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.1 miles on I 41.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.51 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 105.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 2h 14m highway drive covering 105.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 41 and State Highway 21. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.1 miles on I 41.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 67.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near I 41; US 41.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 14m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
8.6 mi into trip|~11m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward WI 21
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 119
Toward WI 21
5
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|WI 21 / State Highway 21
Enter roundabout onto WI 21 / State Highway 21
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
68.8 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|WI 21 / Omro Road
Enter roundabout onto WI 21 / Omro Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Menomonee Falls, WI to Wautoma, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
Appleton
8.6 mi in|~11m|via I 41; US 41
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
67.1 mi
1h 11m
State Highway 21
30.2 mi
42m
East Main Street
3.7 mi
8m
Bannerman Avenue
1.6 mi
4m
West River Drive
1 mi
1m
Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Pilgrim Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Omro Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 67.1 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menomonee Falls, WI and Wautoma, WI.
1
Start on WI 175
21 ft·4 sec·Appleton Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
3
Turn left onto Pilgrim Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·Pilgrim Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Appleton, West Bend
5
Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45
7.2 mi·7 min·I 41; US 41; US 45
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, AppletonUse the slight left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 119Toward WI 21Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
267 ft·6 sec
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
249 ft·6 sec·State Highway 21
10
Continue on WI 21
307 ft·7 sec·State Highway 21
11
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
124 ft·3 sec·Omro Road
12
Continue on WI 21
0.2 mi·23 sec·Omro Road
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
131 ft·7 sec·State Highway 21
14
Continue on WI 21
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 21
15
Continue on WI 21
2.2 mi·5 min·East Main Street
16
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi·37 sec·Spruce State Route
17
Turn left onto WI 21
1.0 mi·1 min·West River Drive
18
Continue on WI 21
16 mi·22 min·State Highway 21
19
Continue on WI 21
1.6 mi·4 min·Bannerman Avenue
20
Continue on WI 21; CTH EE
7.8 mi·11 min·State Highway 21
21
Continue on WI 21; WI 73
1.5 mi·3 min·East Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
WI 21; WI 73
Trip Plan
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 52.8 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.1 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 58m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wautoma, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Menomonee Falls, 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 Menomonee Falls, WI
This is one driving day of about 105.6 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 67.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.8 mi from Menomonee Falls, WI
· 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wautoma, WI
The final approach into Wautoma, 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 Wautoma, WI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 105.6
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.51 one way
$33.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$18.13
$36.25
premium
$4.89
$20.32
$40.64
diesel
$5.61
$23.32
$46.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.24
$4.22
EV Truck/SUV
42.2
0
$14.78
$6.76
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Menomonee Falls, WI
Morning
in Menomonee Falls on Saturday
Local time
9:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 15 mph2% 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
Wautoma, WI
Morning
in Wautoma on Saturday
Local time
9:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
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
2h 14m 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 Menomonee Falls, WI to Wautoma, WI covers 105.6 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, State Highway 21, East Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.8 miles from Menomonee Falls, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.51 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 straightforward 2h 14m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Menomonee Falls, WI to Wautoma, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Appleton along the way.
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.
