Trip from Monona, WI to Mequon, WI

Drive Time

1h 45m

Distance

82.7 mi

133 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

1h 38m ★

6 AM

1h 46m

8 AM

2h 1m

10 AM

1h 51m

12 PM

1h 49m

3 PM

1h 52m

5 PM

2h 0m

8 PM

1h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Monona, WI

Tom Fisk

Mequon, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Monona to Mequon covers a straightforward 82.7-mile path through the Midwest. You can expect this trip to take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. With a fuel budget of about $13, it is a highly economical route that requires no overnight stops. Since the drive is entirely within Wisconsin, you will find a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two communities. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the direct nature of this drive allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

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

41.3 miles from Monona, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 74% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. Your journey relies heavily on I-94, the Zoo Freeway, and Capitol Drive to connect the two locations. You will settle into a steady rhythm during your longest uninterrupted stretch, which spans 54.7 miles along I-94. While the route is efficient, be prepared for the transition from the open interstate to the more localized traffic patterns of the Zoo Freeway and Capitol Drive. This drive is designed for speed and reliability rather than winding, scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Capitol Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 82.7 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 61.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

61.2 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in

Take the exit toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 295 Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex

61.5 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex

71.5 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the ramp toward I 41 North, US 45 North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward I 41 North, US 45 North

76.5 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the exit toward WI 145

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 48 Toward WI 145

76.7 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward WI 145 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward WI 145 North

Towns Along This Route

Between Monona, WI and Mequon, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.

Cth F: Waukesha

61.2 mi in | ~1h 8m

Sussex

61.2 mi in | ~1h 8m

Cth F North: Waukesha

61.5 mi in | ~1h 9m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	54.7 mi	58m
Capitol Drive	7.1 mi	10m
Zoo Freeway	4.4 mi	6m
South Stoughton Road	3 mi	4m
Redford Boulevard	2.4 mi	4m
WI 30	1.8 mi	2m
North Swan Road	1.8 mi	3m
North 124th Street	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 54.7 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and Mequon, WI.

Start on Nichols Road

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Nichols Road

Continue on Pflaum Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Pflaum Road

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 51

3.0 mi · 4 min · South Stoughton Road

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto WI 30

1.8 mi · 2 min · WI 30

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 94

55 mi · 58 min · I 94

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Exit 295 Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

188 ft · 6 sec

Toward CTH F North: Waukesha, Sussex

Turn left onto CTH F

2.4 mi · 4 min · Redford Boulevard

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right

0.3 mi · 58 sec

Turn straight onto WI 190

7.1 mi · 10 min · Capitol Drive

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

322 ft · 21 sec

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 41 North, US 45 North Use the straight / left lanes.

Merge onto I 41; US 41; US 45

4.4 mi · 6 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 48 Toward WI 145 Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

165 ft · 4 sec

Toward WI 145 North Use the right lane.

Turn right onto WI 145

1.0 mi · 1 min · North 124th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto WI 100

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Brown Deer Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto CTH F

1.0 mi · 2 min · North 107th Street

Turn right onto West County Line Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · West County Line Road

Turn left onto North Swan Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · North Swan Road

Turn left

0.1 mi · 41 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 45-minute trip, you have plenty of freedom to plan your departure around your personal preferences. Since you are spending the vast majority of your time on highways, keep an eye on traffic reports for I-94 to avoid potential bottlenecks. You likely won't need a formal stop along the way given the 82.7-mile distance, but having your $13 fuel budget prepared ahead of time ensures a smooth departure. Taking advantage of the flexibility of a one-day trip is your best bet here, as you can easily complete the drive in a single morning or afternoon session.

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 41.3 miles from Monona, WI, or about 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.3 miles or 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 1h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mequon, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

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 82.7 miles and 1h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monona, WI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 54.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 41.3 mi from Monona, WI · 47m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

41 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

Waukegan, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Monona, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Mequon, WI

The final approach into Mequon, 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 Mequon, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.56 one way

$25.12 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$13.85	$27.69
premium	$4.80	$15.61	$31.22
diesel	$5.64	$18.37	$36.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	24.8	$8.68	$3.97
Efficient EV	20.7	$7.24	$3.31
EV Truck/SUV	33.1	$11.58	$5.29

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Monona, WI

Afternoon in Monona on Sunday

Local time

4:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mequon, WI

Afternoon in Mequon on Sunday

Local time

4:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

6 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

1h 45m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Monona, WI to Mequon, WI covers 82.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, Capitol Drive, Zoo Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 41.3 miles from Monona, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.56 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.

Between Monona, WI and Mequon, WI, road signs point toward Cth F: Waukesha, Sussex and Cth F North: Waukesha.

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Return Trip

Mequon, WI to Monona, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

82.8 mi 1h 45m

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Trip from Monona, WI to Mequon, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Mequon, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Monona, WI

Mequon, WI

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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