Origin
Monona, WI
Afternoon in Monona on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monona, WI to Oak Creek, WI
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
89.2 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Oak Creek, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 89.2 miles across Wisconsin, this trip connects Monona to Oak Creek in approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. Budgeting around $14 for fuel will cover your transit across the Midwest landscape. Because this route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, it is best suited for travelers prioritizing efficiency over leisurely backroads. Whether you are heading out for business or visiting friends, the predictability of this journey makes it a stress-free option for your itinerary.
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
44.6 miles from Monona, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a consistent interstate experience, as 87% of this drive is spent on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-94, which features a long, uninterrupted 63.3-mile stretch that sets the pace for the journey. As you approach your destination, the route transitions onto the Zoo Freeway and the Airport Freeway to help you bypass local congestion. This is primarily a functional, high-speed transit route rather than a winding scenic tour. You should be prepared for steady traffic flow as you transition between these major arterial roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 63.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Airport 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.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 89.2 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
69.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
70.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
7
71 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
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
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
9
79.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
7
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Drexel Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 321
Toward Drexel Avenue
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Monona, WI to Oak Creek, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
69.8 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 63.3 mi | 1h 8m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Zoo Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| North-South Freeway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| South Stoughton Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| East Puetz Road | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| WI 30 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| I 41 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, WI and Oak Creek, WI.
1
Start on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Nichols Road
2
Continue on Pflaum Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 51
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Stoughton Road
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
5
Merge onto WI 30
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
WI 30
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Use the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
this road
Exit 305A
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41; US 41
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 321
Toward Drexel Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Drexel Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Howell Avenue
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
18
Turn left onto East Puetz Road
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
East Puetz Road
19
Arrive at destination
East Puetz Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak rush hours is always a smart move. You likely won't need to schedule formal rest stops given the sub-two-hour duration, but keeping the $14 fuel cost in mind helps you plan your budget effectively. Stay alert when switching between the Zoo Freeway and Airport Freeway, as these interchanges can be busy. Because the longest stretch of the drive covers over 63 miles on I-94, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Monona to avoid unnecessary stops along the highway. Taking advantage of the direct route allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Oak Creek.
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 44.6 miles from Monona, WI, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 51m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Creek, 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 89.2 miles and 1h 50m.
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 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.6 mi from Monona, WI · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.6 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.
Arriving in Oak Creek, WI
The final approach into Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek, 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
$13.55 one way
$27.10 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.94 | $29.87 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.84 | $33.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.82 | $39.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Oak Creek, WI
Afternoon in Oak Creek on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 50m 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 Oak Creek, WI covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, Airport Freeway, 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 44.6 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 $13.55 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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 89.2 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.
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.
On the drive from Monona, WI to Oak Creek, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
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