Townsend to Kenosha is 227.8 miles and takes about 4 hours 45 minutes via I 43, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily through the Midwest region, staying within Wisconsin for the entire journey. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive, it's ideal if you're looking for a simple transit rather than an extended scenic tour.
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
113.9 miles from Townsend, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
113.2 mi
2h 6m
State Highway 32
27.1 mi
40m
North-South Freeway
24.5 mi
27m
WI 29
22.5 mi
25m
County Road R
12.3 mi
17m
WI 172
5.7 mi
7m
State Highway 117
4.7 mi
8m
Burlington Road
3.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 113.2 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Townsend, WI and Kenosha, WI.
1
Start on Elm Street
75 ft·4 sec·Elm Street
2
Turn right onto WI 32
27 mi·40 min·State Highway 32
3
Turn right onto CTH R
0.4 mi·31 sec·Red Banks Road
4
Turn right onto CTH M; CTH R
1.6 mi·2 min·County Road M
5
Turn left onto CTH R
12 mi·17 min·County Road R
6
At end of road, turn right onto WI 22
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 22
7
Turn left onto WI 117
4.7 mi·8 min·State Highway 117
8
Continue on WI 117
0.9 mi·2 min·South Cecil Street
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·51 sec
10
Merge onto WI 29; WI 55
16 mi·18 min·WI 29; WI 55
11
Continue on WI 29; WI 32
6.7 mi·7 min·WI 29; WI 32
12
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 32
1.1 mi·1 min·WI 32
Toward I 41 South: Appleton
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 41 South: Appleton
14
Merge onto I 41; US 41
2.1 mi·2 min·I 41; US 41
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 164BToward WI 172 East, WI 172 West: Austin Straubel Airport
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WI 172 East
17
Merge onto WI 172
5.7 mi·7 min·WI 172
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
19
Merge onto I 43
113 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
0.2 mi·16 sec·North-South Freeway
21
Continue on I 94
24 mi·27 min·North-South Freeway
Exit 316-319Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 340Toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, BurlingtonUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
199 ft·6 sec
Toward CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
24
Turn left onto WI 142
3.6 mi·6 min·Burlington Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on CTH S
3.3 mi·7 min·Washington Road
26
Turn right onto WI 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheridan Road
27
Turn left onto 54th Street
305 ft·14 sec·54th Street
28
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·31 sec·8th Avenue
29
Turn right onto 56th Street
43 ft·1 sec·56th Street
30
Arrive at destination
56th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 45-minute duration, leaving Townsend in the morning will comfortably get you to Kenosha before evening. The route is mostly highway, so focus on keeping your tank topped up, especially before the 113.2-mile stretch on I 43. While there's only one recommended stop, don't hesitate to pull over for a break if needed; the highway nature of the drive means services are generally available. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to start early to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic.
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 113.9 miles from Townsend, WI, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.2 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 50 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.9 miles or 2h 30m 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 52m
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 Townsend, 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 Townsend, WI
This is one driving day of about 227.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Townsend, 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 43 for about 113.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.9 and 219.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|WI 32
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 32 toward I 41 South: Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 41 South: Appleton
5
72 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South: Appleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 41 South: Appleton
6
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward WI 172 East, WI 172 West: Austin Straubel Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 164B
Toward WI 172 East, WI 172 West: Austin Straube...
8
219.6 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
219.8 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.61 one way
$71.23 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.10
$78.21
premium
$4.89
$43.84
$87.68
diesel
$5.61
$50.30
$100.59
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: 79.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.3
0
$23.92
$10.93
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.93
$9.11
EV Truck/SUV
91.1
1
$31.89
$14.58
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Townsend, WI
Afternoon
in Townsend on Saturday
Local time
1:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kenosha, WI
Afternoon
in Kenosha on Saturday
Local time
1:59 PM
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
24 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 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey utilizing major highways like I 43 and the North-South Freeway. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, punctuated by a long stretch of 113.2 miles on I 43 without significant breaks. While State Highway 32 offers a slight change of pace, the overall character remains that of a dependable interstate transit. You'll likely experience smooth sailing for the majority of the 4-hour 45-minute drive.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.2 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 43 and State Highway 32. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.9 miles in near WI 32.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 227.8 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 70.9 miles (WI 32): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 72 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Townsend, WI and Kenosha, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East and Chicago.
Wis 94 East
195.2 mi in|~4h 1m|via I 94
Chicago
195.2 mi in|~4h 1m|via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 227.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.2 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kenosha, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.9 miles (WI 32): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 72 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 74.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Kenosha, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
