Origin
Pensaukee, WI
Afternoon in Pensaukee on Friday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pensaukee, WI
Tom Fisk
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 41 toward Appleton, Green Bay
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto CTH Q / County Line Road
Navigation decision point
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Pensaukee, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI.
Start on CTH S
Continue on CTH SS
Turn left onto US 41
Take the exit
Turn right onto CTH Q
Turn slight left
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
Turn left onto WI 175
Arrive at destination
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 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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before US 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.6 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$22.33 one way
$44.65 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Pensaukee on Friday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Menomonee Falls on Friday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°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.
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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