Origin
Three Lakes, WI
Morning in Three Lakes on Saturday
Local time
7:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Three Lakes, WI to Kenosha, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 51m
Distance
267.8 mi
431 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 38m
★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 16m
8 PM
5h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Three Lakes, WI
Sean Ewing
Kenosha, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Three Lakes, WI to Kenosha, WI covers 267.8 miles and takes about 5h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 41, US 45, US Highway 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.4 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.37 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133.9 miles from Three Lakes, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 267.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 51m highway drive covering 267.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 41 and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 87.4 miles on I 41.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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 87.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73.3 miles in near US 45.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 267.8 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 73.3 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 131.1 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 235 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
US 45
Turn left onto US 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
131.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
|
US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
235 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
8
259.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
Take the exit toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
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 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
7
259.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, K...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Three Lakes, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cth Q along the way.
Cth Q
75.6 mi in
|
~1h 50m
|
via US 45
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 87.4 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 45 | 64 mi | 1h 28m |
| US Highway 45 | 63.3 mi | 1h 26m |
| North-South Freeway | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| East Prospect Avenue | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| South Superior Street | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Burlington Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Lakes, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Lake Drive
18 ft
·
6 sec
·
Lake Drive
2
Turn left onto US 45; WI 32
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Superior Street
3
Continue on US 45
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 45
4
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 45
5
Turn left onto US 45; WI 47
30 mi
·
43 min
·
US 45; WI 47
6
Turn right onto Century Avenue
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Century Avenue
7
Turn left onto Clermont Street
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clermont Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto 10th Avenue
499 ft
·
16 sec
·
10th Avenue
9
Turn right onto US 45; WI 47; WI 52
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
South Superior Street
10
Continue on US 45; WI 52
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
US 45; WI 52
11
Continue on US 45; CTH Z
14 mi
·
18 min
·
US 45; CTH Z
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto US 45
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 45
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 45
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 45
Toward CTH Q, US 45 South: Clintonville
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
216 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 45
15
Merge onto US 45
17 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 45
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 45
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Prospect Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 45; WI 22; CTH D
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US Highway 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 45
110 ft
·
6 sec
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
20
Continue on US 45
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 45
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
23
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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 straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
23 mi
·
25 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 340
Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
Use the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft
·
6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
29
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Washington Road
31
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheridan Road
32
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft
·
14 sec
·
54th Street
33
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
8th Avenue
34
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
56th Street
35
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.9 miles from Three Lakes, WI, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 59 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kenosha, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Three Lakes, 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 Three Lakes, WI
This is one driving day of about 267.8 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Three Lakes, 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 87.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.9 mi from Three Lakes, WI · 3h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.9 miles from Three Lakes, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.4 miles.
Arriving in Kenosha, WI
The final approach into Kenosha, 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 Kenosha, 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
$36.37 one way
$72.75 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $40.59 | $81.18 |
| premium | $4.15 | $43.75 | $87.51 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $39.54 | $79.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.12 | $12.85 |
| Efficient EV | 67 | 0 | $23.43 | $10.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.49 | $17.14 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Kenosha, WI
Morning in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
7:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
22 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
5h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Three Lakes, WI to Kenosha, WI covers 267.8 miles and takes about 5h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 41, US 45, US Highway 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 133.9 miles from Three Lakes, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 267.8 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 73.3 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 131.1 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 235 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Three Lakes, WI to Kenosha, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cth Q along the way.
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. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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