Origin
Pleasant Prairie, WI
Evening in Pleasant Prairie on Sunday
Local time
7:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pleasant Prairie, WI to Sussex, WI
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
54.6 mi
88 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pleasant Prairie, WI
Tom Fisk
Sussex, WI
Mike Bird
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Pleasant Prairie to Sussex, you are looking at a straightforward 54.6-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $8, this route is an incredibly cost-effective way to navigate between these two Wisconsin locations. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, which keeps the logistics simple and predictable. Since the entire trip takes place within the state of Wisconsin, you won’t encounter any regional shifts or complex border crossings. It is a no-fuss drive that allows you to reach your destination quickly without the need for an overnight stay.
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
27.3 miles from Pleasant Prairie, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of your time spent navigating major thoroughfares like I-41, the East-West Freeway, and the Airport Freeway. You should prepare for a consistent interstate experience rather than a winding backroad adventure. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 31.5 miles along I-41, requiring you to maintain focus during this primary leg of the journey. As you transition between these high-speed segments, the road maintains a professional, utilitarian personality designed for efficiency. Being behind the wheel here means staying alert as you move through these connected freeway systems, which keep the transit time brief and efficient.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.1 miles in near I 41; I 94; US 41.
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 54.6 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 28.1 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 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
28.1 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
34.4 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
38.6 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
38.8 mi into trip
|
~48m 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
8
47.9 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Pleasant Prairie, WI and Sussex, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Cth F: Waukesha and Cth F North: Sussex.
Fond Du Lac
28.1 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 41; I 94; US 41
Milwaukee
38.6 mi in
|
~47m
Cth F: Waukesha
47.9 mi in
|
~59m
Cth F North: Sussex
48.1 mi in
|
~59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 31.5 mi | 36m |
| East-West Freeway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Redford Boulevard | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Waukesha Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 104th Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| 75th Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Silver Spring Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 31.5 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pleasant Prairie, WI and Sussex, WI.
1
Start on 104th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
104th Avenue
2
Turn left onto WI 50
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
75th Street
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
4
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West
5
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 41; I 94; US 41
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
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the none / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 295
Toward CTH F: Waukesha, Sussex
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
261 ft
·
8 sec
Toward CTH F North: Sussex
16
Turn straight onto CTH F
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Redford Boulevard
17
Continue on CTH F
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Waukesha Avenue
18
Turn left onto CTH VV
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Spring Drive
19
At end of road, turn left onto CTH VV
368 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
20
Continue on CTH VV
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
County Highway VV
21
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
171 ft
·
9 sec
·
Elmwood Avenue
22
Turn right
199 ft
·
14 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 11 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the 54.6-mile route without needing formal stops, though keeping an eye on traffic patterns along the major freeways is a smart move. Since fuel costs are estimated at a modest $8, a quick tank check before leaving Pleasant Prairie is all the preparation you really need. Given the high highway percentage, aim to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you keep that travel time as low as possible. Use the simplicity of this route to your advantage by planning your arrival in Sussex for a time that maximizes your day.
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 27.3 miles from Pleasant Prairie, WI, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.5 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 54.6 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.3 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sussex, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie, WI
This is one driving day of about 54.6 miles and 1h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pleasant Prairie, 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 41 for about 31.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.3 mi from Pleasant Prairie, WI · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 54.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.3 miles from Pleasant Prairie, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sussex, WI
The final approach into Sussex, 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 Sussex, 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
$8.29 one way
$16.59 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.14 | $18.28 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.31 | $20.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.13 | $24.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.73 | $2.62 |
| Efficient EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.78 | $2.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.64 | $3.49 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Sussex, WI
Evening in Sussex on Sunday
Local time
7:59 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 11m 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 Pleasant Prairie, WI to Sussex, WI covers 54.6 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, East-West Freeway, 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 27.3 miles from Pleasant Prairie, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.29 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 54.6 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 28.1 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.4 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Pleasant Prairie, WI and Sussex, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Cth F: Waukesha and Cth F North: Sussex.
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