Trip from Sussex, WI to Stevens Point, WI

Drive Time

2h 46m

Distance

138.2 mi

222 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 36m ★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m

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

Downtown Sussex, WI, WI

Sussex, WI

Mike Bird

Downtown Stevens Point, WI, WI

Stevens Point, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Connecting Sussex to Stevens Point, this 138.2-mile journey typically takes about 2 hours and 46 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the transit, making this an economical choice for a quick getaway between these two Midwest locations. You will rely primarily on I-41, US-45, and US-10 to make your way across Wisconsin. If you are looking for a practical, highway-focused drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently, this route is a reliable option for your travel schedule.

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

69.1 miles from Sussex, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 89% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm early on, particularly during the longest stretch of 56.1 miles along I-41. As you transition from the interstate onto US-45 and US-10, the road maintains a consistent pace, offering a predictable driving experience that lacks the technical challenges of winding backroads. While you shouldn't expect significant variation in road types, the high percentage of highway travel ensures you can cover the distance without constant stop-and-go traffic. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that allows you to focus on the road ahead.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 56.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Elmwood Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 138.2 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: near the start (Elmwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Elmwood Avenue

Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
15.6 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 41; US 41

Merge onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
71.7 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard

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. Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
71.8 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 45 North: New London
7
87.8 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | US 10 / US Highway 10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 / US Highway 10 toward US 10 West: Stevens Point

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point

Towns Along This Route

Between Sussex, WI and Stevens Point, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Appleton.

Fond Du Lac

15.1 mi in | ~24m

Appleton

15.6 mi in | ~25m | via I 41; US 41

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 41 56.1 mi 1h
US Highway 10 46.6 mi 54m
US 45 15.2 mi 17m
Lovers Lane 9.1 mi 13m
State Highway 164 4.2 mi 6m
Main Street 3.7 mi 7m
County Highway VV 1.2 mi 3m
State Highway 60 East 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 41 — 56.1 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sussex, WI and Stevens Point, WI.

1

Start on this road

199 ft · 19 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue

171 ft · 9 sec · Elmwood Avenue
3

Turn right onto CTH VV

1.2 mi · 3 min · County Highway VV
4

Turn right onto WI 164

4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 164
5

Enter roundabout onto WI 164

136 ft · 2 sec · Lovers Lane
6

Continue on WI 164

4.0 mi · 5 min · Lovers Lane
7

Enter roundabout onto WI 164

117 ft · 2 sec · Lovers Lane
8

Continue on WI 164

5.0 mi · 7 min · Lovers Lane
9

Turn right onto WI 60

0.4 mi · 34 sec · State Highway 60 East
10

Continue on WI 60

0.2 mi · 15 sec · State Highway 60 East
11

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 41 North, US 41 North: Appleton, Fond du Lac
12

Merge onto I 41; US 41

56 mi · 1 hr · I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton Use the none lane.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New London Use the slight left lane.
15

Merge onto US 45

15 mi · 17 min · US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

47 mi · 54 min · US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point Use the none lane.
17

Continue on US 10

3.7 mi · 7 min · Main Street
Use the none lane.
18

Arrive at destination

WI 66

Trip Plan

Given the total duration of under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You should aim to make at least one planned stop to break up the drive, which helps keep you alert behind the wheel. Since you are utilizing major highways for the vast majority of the trip, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 56-mile stretch on I-41 to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Because this is a single-day journey, you can easily avoid peak traffic by checking local congestion reports before you leave Sussex. Prioritize comfort and consistent pacing to ensure you arrive in Stevens Point refreshed and ready for 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.1 miles from Sussex, WI, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.1 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.1 miles or 1h 22m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stevens Point, 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 138.2 miles and 2h 46m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 41 for about 56.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 69.1 mi from Sussex, WI · 1h 22m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

69 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.1 miles from Sussex, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Stevens Point, WI

The final approach into Stevens Point, 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 Stevens Point, 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

$20.99 one way

$41.98 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $23.14 $46.28
premium $4.80 $26.09 $52.18
diesel $5.64 $30.70 $61.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.5 0 $14.51 $6.63
Efficient EV 34.6 0 $12.09 $5.53
EV Truck/SUV 55.3 0 $19.35 $8.84

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% 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

5:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Stevens Point, WI

Evening in Stevens Point on Sunday

Local time

5:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

42°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

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 46m 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 Stevens Point, WI covers 138.2 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, US Highway 10, US 45. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.1 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 $20.99 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 138.2 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: near the start (Elmwood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Sussex, WI and Stevens Point, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Appleton.

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Return Trip

Stevens Point, WI to Sussex, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

137.8 mi 2h 45m

Continue From Stevens Point, WI

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