Trip from Sussex, WI to Pleasant Prairie, WI

Drive Time

1h 12m

Distance

54.7 mi

88 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min

4 AM

1h 7m ★

6 AM

1h 13m

8 AM

1h 24m

10 AM

1h 17m

12 PM

1h 15m

3 PM

1h 17m

5 PM

1h 23m

8 PM

1h 9m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Sussex, WI

Mike Bird

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Sussex to Pleasant Prairie, you are looking at a straightforward 54.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes to complete. This drive serves as an efficient connection within the Wisconsin Midwest, making it an ideal candidate for a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $8 on fuel, keeping your travel costs quite manageable for the distance. Because the route is compact and focused on major thoroughfares, it is a low-stress option for commuters or visitors moving between these two areas. You will find that the lack of necessary stops makes this a highly predictable trek, allowing you to easily plan your departure around your actual destination arrival time.

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 Sussex, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 80% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads. Your route relies heavily on the North-South Freeway, the East-West Freeway, and Redford Boulevard to navigate the distance efficiently. You will encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving during a 26.3-mile segment on the North-South Freeway, which provides a steady rhythm for the majority of the trip. The transition between these arterial roads keeps the drive moving quickly, shifting the character from local access roads to faster, high-capacity freeways. Overall, the road personality is functional and direct, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenery or technical driving challenges.

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.

North-South Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 26.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North-South Freeway and East-West Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 54.7 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 6.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

6.5 mi into trip | ~12m in

Turn left toward I 94 East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 94 East

14.8 mi into trip | ~22m 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

15.4 mi into trip | ~23m 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...

24.6 mi into trip | ~36m 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

52.2 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Take the exit toward WI 50: Kenosha, Lake Geneva

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 344 Toward WI 50: Kenosha, Lake Geneva

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Sussex, WI to Pleasant Prairie, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.

Fond Du Lac

14.8 mi in | ~22m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North-South Freeway	26.3 mi	29m
East-West Freeway	8 mi	9m
Redford Boulevard	4.5 mi	6m
Airport Freeway	4.3 mi	5m
Zoo Freeway	4 mi	5m
I 41	1.3 mi	1m
Waukesha Avenue	1.2 mi	2m
104th Avenue	1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: North-South Freeway — 26.3 mi, about 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sussex, WI and Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Start on this road

199 ft · 19 sec · this road

Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue

171 ft · 12 sec · Elmwood Avenue

Turn left onto CTH VV

0.2 mi · 37 sec · County Highway VV

Continue on CTH VV

368 ft · 16 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto CTH VV

0.5 mi · 1 min · Silver Spring Drive

Turn right onto CTH F

1.2 mi · 2 min · Waukesha Avenue

Continue on CTH F

4.5 mi · 6 min · Redford Boulevard

Turn left

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 94 East Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 94; WI 164

8.0 mi · 9 min · East-West Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

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

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45

4.0 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41

4.3 mi · 5 min · Airport Freeway

Use the none lane.

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.

Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41

26 mi · 29 min · North-South Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 25 sec

Exit 344 Toward WI 50: Kenosha, Lake Geneva Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 31 sec · this road

Toward I 41 South, I 94 East Use the straight / left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

187 ft · 6 sec

Toward WI 50 East, I 94 East: Kenosha

Turn left onto WI 50

1.0 mi · 1 min · 75th Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto 104th Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · 104th Avenue

Arrive at destination

104th Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 12-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always wise. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops given the duration, which is a great advantage for maintaining your momentum. Make sure to keep an eye on your fuel levels before you pull onto the North-South Freeway, as that 26.3-mile stretch is your primary focus for the bulk of the trip. Because the route is so efficient, consider checking live traffic reports on the freeways before you leave to ensure your transit remains as smooth as possible. With such a short duration, you can easily arrive at your destination refreshed without needing to build in significant rest breaks.

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 Sussex, WI, or about 39m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.3 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 54.7 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 27.3 miles or 39m 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

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Sussex, 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 Sussex, WI

This is one driving day of about 54.7 miles and 1h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sussex, 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 North-South Freeway for about 26.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27.3 mi from Sussex, WI · 39m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

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

Waukegan, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.3 miles from Sussex, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Pleasant Prairie, WI

The final approach into Pleasant Prairie, 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 Pleasant Prairie, 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

$8.31 one way

$16.62 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$9.16	$18.32
premium	$4.80	$10.33	$20.65
diesel	$5.64	$12.15	$24.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

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	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	16.4	$5.74	$2.63
Efficient EV	13.7	$4.79	$2.19
EV Truck/SUV	21.9	$7.66	$3.50

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Sussex, WI

Evening in Sussex on Sunday

Local time

7:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Evening in Pleasant Prairie 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 12m 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 Sussex, WI to Pleasant Prairie, WI covers 54.7 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North-South Freeway, East-West Freeway, Redford Boulevard. 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 Sussex, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.31 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.

On the drive from Sussex, WI to Pleasant Prairie, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.

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Return Trip

Pleasant Prairie, WI to Sussex, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

54.6 mi 1h 11m

Explore more options from Sussex, WI or browse trips ending in Pleasant Prairie, WI.

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Trip from Sussex, WI to Pleasant Prairie, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Pleasant Prairie, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Sussex, WI

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Same local time

Very similar conditions

1h 12m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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