How far is Waukesha, WI from Kenosha, WI?
The driving distance from Waukesha, WI to Kenosha, WI is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.1 miles (58.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 04m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukesha and Kenosha.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukesha and Kenosha.
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1
Start on West Main Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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2
Turn slight left
124 m · 17 sec
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3
Turn left onto Les Paul Parkway
1704 ft · 33 sec · Les Paul Parkway
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4
Turn right onto East Moreland Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Moreland Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East
1.1 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
5.6 mi · 7 min · East-West Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1991 ft · 38 sec
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9
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1477 ft · 30 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
1177 ft · 29 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway
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12
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
1.3 mi · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
23.3 mi · 26 min · North-South Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward WI 142, CTH S: Kenosha, Burlington
1246 ft · 30 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on CTH S East: Gateway Technical College, Kenosha
61 m · 7 sec
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17
Turn left onto Burlington Road
3.6 mi · 6 min · Burlington Road
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18
Continue on Washington Road
3.3 mi · 7 min · Washington Road
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19
Turn right onto Sheridan Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Sheridan Road
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20
Turn left onto 54th Street
93 m · 12 sec · 54th Street
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21
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
669 ft · 31 sec · 8th Avenue
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22
Turn right onto 56th Street
13 m · 1 sec · 56th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 56th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukesha and Kenosha.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North-South Freeway
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
23.3 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukesha and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kenosha.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukesha to Kenosha?
The road trip is about 52.6 miles (84.6 km) and usually takes 01h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Oak Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.2 miles from Waukesha and 26.4 miles from Kenosha.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.1 miles (58.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.98 one way or $13.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukesha and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kenosha.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Milwaukee City Hall
West Allis City Hall
City Hall Square Apartments
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Oak Creek.
Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Sturtevant station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukesha and Kenosha. Straight-line distance: 36.1 mi (58.09 km).
#1 Waukesha
City in and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 8,939 |
| Coordinates | 43.0116800, -88.2314800 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kenosha
The second most populous city in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 99,570 |
| Coordinates | 42.5847400, -87.8211900 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: 56th Street (-87.821195, 42.584763)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 85 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.98 | $13.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.87 | $15.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.61 | $17.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.81 | $19.62 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Wisconsin · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.