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Trip from Pensaukee, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 38m

Distance

142.8 mi

230 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m

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

Downtown Pensaukee, WI, WI

Pensaukee, WI

Tom Fisk

village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

Menomonee Falls, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pensaukee, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 142.8 miles and takes about 2h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 41, County Highway SS, Appleton Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 139.6 miles on US 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.33 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

71.4 miles from Pensaukee, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 142.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 38m highway drive covering 142.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 41 and County Highway SS. The longest continuous stretch is about 139.6 miles on US 41.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 139.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and County Highway SS. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 41.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Pensaukee, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is easy. At 2h 38m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 41): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.4 miles (CTH Q / County Line Road): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

3 of 3 key points

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

6
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 41

Turn left onto US 41 toward Appleton, Green Bay

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

Use the straight lane. Toward Appleton, Green Bay
7
141.2 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Take the exit toward CTH Q: County Line Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52 Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
3
141.4 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | CTH Q / County Line Road

Turn right onto CTH Q / County Line Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 41 139.6 mi 2h 30m
County Highway SS 1.6 mi 3m
Appleton Avenue 0.8 mi 2m
River Crest Drive 0.4 mi 1m
County Line Road 0.1 mi <1m
County Highway S <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 41 — 139.6 mi, about 2h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pensaukee, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.

1

Start on CTH S

42 ft · 6 sec · County Highway S
2

Continue on CTH SS

1.6 mi · 3 min · County Highway SS
3

Turn left onto US 41

140 mi · 2 hr 30 min · US 41
Toward Appleton, Green Bay Use the straight lane.
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 52 Toward CTH Q: County Line Road Use the slight right lane.
5

Turn right onto CTH Q

0.1 mi · 18 sec · County Line Road
6

Turn slight left

386 ft · 19 sec
7

Turn left onto River Crest Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · River Crest Drive
8

Turn left onto WI 175

0.8 mi · 2 min · Appleton Avenue
9

Arrive at destination

WI 175

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.4 miles from Pensaukee, WI, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.6 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 31 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.4 miles or 1h 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 8m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pensaukee, 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 Pensaukee, WI

This is one driving day of about 142.8 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Pensaukee, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 41 for about 139.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 71.4 mi from Pensaukee, WI · 1h 19m into the drive

city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Neenah, WI

71 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

De Pere, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Neenah, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Pensaukee, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.6 miles.

Arriving in Menomonee Falls, WI

The final approach into Menomonee Falls, 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 Menomonee Falls, WI.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.33 one way

$44.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.51 $49.02
premium $4.89 $27.48 $54.96
diesel $5.61 $31.53 $63.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.8 0 $14.99 $6.85
Efficient EV 35.7 0 $12.50 $5.71
EV Truck/SUV 57.1 0 $19.99 $9.14

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pensaukee, WI

Afternoon in Pensaukee on Friday

Local time

2:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Menomonee Falls, WI

Afternoon in Menomonee Falls on Friday

Local time

2:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

20 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 38m 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 Pensaukee, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 142.8 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 41, County Highway SS, Appleton Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 71.4 miles from Pensaukee, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.33 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The drive from Pensaukee, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI is easy. At 2h 38m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 41): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.4 miles (CTH Q / County Line Road): Navigation decision point.

The route from Pensaukee, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Menomonee Falls, WI to Pensaukee, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

143.7 mi 2h 39m

Explore more options from Pensaukee, WI or browse trips ending in Menomonee Falls, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.