Origin
Monona, WI
Evening in Monona on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 17m
Distance
112.3 mi
181 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Kenosha, WI
Tom Fisk
Driving from Monona to Kenosha is a straightforward 112.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because this is a compact trip within the Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Expect to spend roughly $17 on fuel, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Wisconsin locations. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, providing a predictable experience for those looking to reach their destination quickly. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a reliable connection without the need for complex planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
56.2 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Expect a focused highway experience, as 87% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads like I-94, the North-South Freeway, and the Airport Freeway. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.3 miles on I-94, which defines the core of this highway-centric drive. The transition between these high-speed segments keeps the pace consistent, offering a steady flow rather than technical turns or winding backroads. While you shouldn't anticipate much variety in road type, the infrastructure is designed for efficiency and steady cruising. It is the type of drive where you can settle into a rhythm and cover the distance with minimal stress.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
357 ft
Total Descent
637 ft
Highest Point
1,001 ft
~9.4 mi in
Elevation Range
400 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.8 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 112.3 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 69.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Between Monona, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Cth S: Kenosha, Burlington and Cth S East: Gateway Technical College.
Fond Du Lac
Cth S: Kenosha
Burlington
Cth S East: Gateway Technical College
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 63.3 mi | 1h 8m |
| North-South Freeway | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Zoo Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| Burlington Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Washington Road | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| South Stoughton Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| WI 30 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and Kenosha, WI.
Start on Nichols Road
Continue on Pflaum Road
Turn left onto US 51
Take the ramp
Merge onto WI 30
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto WI 142
Continue on CTH S
Turn right onto WI 32
Turn left onto 54th Street
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
Turn right onto 56th Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding when you hit the road. To avoid the heaviest traffic, try to time your departure to skip local peak commuting hours. Because there are no mandatory stops listed, you can easily complete the entire 112.3-mile stretch in one go, though you should keep your $17 fuel budget in mind before departing. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, take advantage of the ability to pull off the interstate whenever you need a break. My best tip for this route is to monitor real-time traffic reports for I-94, as highway conditions can change quickly depending on the time of day.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.2 miles or 1h 4m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenosha, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Monona, 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 Monona, WI
This is one driving day of about 112.3 miles and 2h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.2 mi from Monona, WI · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 56.2 miles from Monona, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$17.06 one way
$34.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.80 | $37.61 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.20 | $42.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.95 | $49.90 |
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: 39.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.79 | $5.39 |
| Efficient EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.83 | $4.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.9 | 0 | $15.72 | $7.19 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Monona on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Kenosha on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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