Origin
Oak Creek, WI
Afternoon in Oak Creek on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Creek, WI to Monona, WI
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
89.1 mi
143 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 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Creek, WI
Tom Fisk
Monona, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 89.1 miles across the Wisconsin Midwest, this direct route between Oak Creek and Monona is a straightforward journey that typically takes 1 hour and 49 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the transit. By sticking to major thoroughfares, you can expect a consistent and efficient travel experience. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this drive offers a practical way to connect these two Wisconsin communities without unnecessary complexity.
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
44.5 miles from Oak Creek, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 88% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the East-West Freeway, I-41, and the Airport Freeway. The most significant portion of the trip is a 63.8-mile stretch on the East-West Freeway, which serves as the backbone of your route. This is not a winding backroad experience, but rather a functional interstate grind designed for speed and reliability. As you transition between these main roads, the character of the drive remains largely consistent, providing a predictable environment behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East-West Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 63.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in near I 41; I 94; US 41.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 89.1 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 7.6 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
9
7.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 41; I 94; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Ma...
8
13.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 41; I 894; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US...
8
18 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
18.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
9
82.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
WI 30
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30 toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janes...
Towns Along This Route
Between Oak Creek, WI and Monona, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee and Madison.
Fond Du Lac
7.6 mi in
|
~14m
|
via I 41; I 94; US 41
Milwaukee
18 mi in
|
~28m
Madison
82.7 mi in
|
~1h 39m
|
via WI 30
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 63.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 41 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| North Stoughton Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| North-South Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| East Puetz Road | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| WI 30 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| West Drexel Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 63.8 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Creek, WI and Monona, WI.
1
Start on East Puetz Road
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Puetz Road
2
Turn right onto WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Howell Avenue
Use the left / none lanes.
3
Turn left onto West Drexel Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Drexel Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
5
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 41; I 94; US 41
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 41; US 41
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 41; I 894; US 41
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the none lane.
13
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 30
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 30
Exit 240
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 1C
Toward US 51, I 39 Alternate, I 94 Alternate: Stoughton Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
476 ft
·
13 sec
Use the none lane.
18
Turn left onto US 51
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Stoughton Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto Pflaum Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Pflaum Road
20
Continue on Nichols Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Nichols Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Nichols Road
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 49-minute trip is designed to be efficient, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Because there are no mandatory stops built into the 89.1-mile path, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for lengthy breaks. If you want to avoid heavy traffic on the freeways, consider timing your departure to steer clear of peak commuter hours. Keep in mind that your $14 fuel budget is based on current estimates, so it is wise to fill up before you leave Oak Creek to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted ride to Monona. Take advantage of the straightforward nature of these major highways to keep your focus on steady progress.
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 44.5 miles from Oak Creek, WI, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.5 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monona, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oak Creek, 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 Oak Creek, WI
This is one driving day of about 89.1 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oak Creek, 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 East-West Freeway for about 63.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.5 mi from Oak Creek, WI · 58m 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 44.5 miles from Oak Creek, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 miles.
Arriving in Monona, WI
The final approach into Monona, 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 Monona, 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
$13.53 one way
$27.07 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.92 | $29.84 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.82 | $33.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.79 | $39.59 |
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 | 26.7 | 0 | $9.36 | $4.28 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
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
Monona, WI
Afternoon in Monona on Sunday
Local time
4:19 PM
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
1h 49m 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 Oak Creek, WI to Monona, WI covers 89.1 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East-West Freeway, I 41, Airport 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 44.5 miles from Oak Creek, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.53 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 89.1 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 7.6 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Oak Creek, WI and Monona, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee and Madison.
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