Origin
Three Lakes, WI
Evening in Three Lakes on Friday
Local time
7:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Three Lakes, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 40m
Distance
213.7 mi
344 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Three Lakes, WI
Sean Ewing
Menomonee Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Three Lakes, WI to Menomonee Falls, WI covers 213.7 miles and takes about 4h 40m 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 67.4 miles on I 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.41 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
106.8 miles from Three Lakes, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 213.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 40m highway drive covering 213.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 41 and US 45. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.4 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 29 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 67.4 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 49.9 miles in near 10th Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 213.7 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 49.9 miles (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 73.3 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
49.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
10th Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto 10th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
US 45
Turn left onto US 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
US 45
Take the exit onto US 45 toward CTH Q, US 45 South: Clintonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CTH Q, US 45 South: Clintonville
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
7
212.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
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 Menomonee Falls, 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 | 67.4 mi | 1h 12m |
| US 45 | 64 mi | 1h 28m |
| US Highway 45 | 63.3 mi | 1h 26m |
| East Prospect Avenue | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| South Superior Street | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Clermont Street | 2 mi | 5m |
| Appleton Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 67.4 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Lakes, WI and Menomonee Falls, 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
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 52
Toward CTH Q: County Line Road
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto CTH Q
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
County Line Road
26
Turn slight left
386 ft
·
19 sec
27
Turn left onto River Crest Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
River Crest Drive
28
Turn left onto WI 175
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Appleton Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
WI 175
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 106.8 miles from Three Lakes, WI, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.4 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 47 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Menomonee Falls, 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 213.7 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 67.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.8 mi from Three Lakes, WI · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.8 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 67.4 miles.
Arriving in Menomonee Falls, WI
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.41 one way
$66.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.68 | $73.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.12 | $82.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.18 | $94.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.44 | $10.26 |
| Efficient EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.70 | $8.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.5 | 1 | $29.92 | $13.68 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Menomonee Falls, WI
Evening in Menomonee Falls on Friday
Local time
7:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Widespread Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 to 15 mph
24% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 17 at 7:06AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 7:06AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
35 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
4h 40m 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 Menomonee Falls, WI covers 213.7 miles and takes about 4h 40m 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 106.8 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 $33.41 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 19 significant decision points across 213.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.9 miles (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 73.3 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (US 45): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Three Lakes, WI to Menomonee Falls, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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