Scenic Drives in Wisconsin
Routes
60
Avg Distance
348 mi
Avg Drive
6h 41m
Destinations
25
Wisconsin's scenic drives offer a predominantly flat terrain, with max elevations generally staying below 1,300 ft. Across 60 routes, you'll find drive scores averaging 8, with some reaching that mark. These trips typically span around 341 miles and take about 6.5 hours to complete. Many routes include access to state parks, making them ideal for exploring natural beauty without significant climbs.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.94/gal
Diesel: $5.60/gal
Typical trip cost
$50–$65
One-way, ~348 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~122 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31
Climate through the year: Wisconsin
Wisconsin peaks at around 82°F in Jul and cools to 31°F / 17°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jun at ~4.4 in of rain.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 17 | 1.8 | 14.9 |
| Feb | 34 | 20 | 1.7 | 11.8 |
| Mar | 44 | 29 | 2.2 | 6.7 |
| Apr | 55 | 38 | 3.9 | 2.1 |
| May | 67 | 48 | 3.5 | — |
| Jun | 77 | 58 | 4.4 | — |
| Jul | 82 | 65 | 3.4 | — |
| Aug | 80 | 64 | 3.7 | — |
| Sep | 74 | 56 | 3.2 | — |
| Oct | 61 | 45 | 2.8 | 0.3 |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 2.2 | 2.5 |
| Dec | 36 | 23 | 1.9 | 10.4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for WI — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Scenic Routes
Editor's pick
Racine, WI → Superior, WI
Through: Milwaukee → Eau Claire → Saint Paul
This extensive route scores an 8, showcasing Wisconsin's landscape with its mostly flat terrain and a max elevation of 1,216 ft. With 416 miles of driving and park access, it's a solid choice for a comprehensive exploration.
Editor's pick
Racine, WI → Cloverland, WI
Through: Milwaukee → Eau Claire → Saint Paul +1 more
Another strong contender with a drive score of 8, this 413-mile option also features mostly flat terrain and a maximum elevation of 1,182 ft. Its inclusion of parks makes it appealing for nature lovers.
Kenosha, WI → Lind, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Lind, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Milwaukee, WI → Superior, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul
Superior, WI → New Berlin, WI
Wauwatosa, WI → Parkland, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior
Lake Nebagamon, WI → Wauwatosa, WI
Wauwatosa, WI → Lind, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
West Allis, WI → Lind, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Lind, WI → New Berlin, WI
Milwaukee, WI → Grantsburg, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Kenosha, WI → Balsam Lake, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Grantsburg, WI → Menomonee Falls, WI
Grantsburg, WI → Wauwatosa, WI
Kenosha, WI → Prescott, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Osceola, WI → Racine, WI
Through: River Falls → Eau Claire → Madison +1 more
Randall, WI → Wauwatosa, WI
Menomonee Falls, WI → Randall, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Shell Lake, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
New Berlin, WI → Randall, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Racine, WI → Balsam Lake, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Amery, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Prescott, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Hayward, WI → Milwaukee, WI
Hudson, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Hurley, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Madison → Waupaca → Appleton
Amery, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Star Prairie, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Fond Du Lac
Racine, WI → Somerset, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Milwaukee, WI → Sanborn, WI
Through: Appleton → Rhinelander
New Richmond, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Frederic, WI → Wauwatosa, WI
Oak Creek, WI → Prescott, WI
Through: Milwaukee → Eau Claire → Saint Paul +1 more
Rice Lake, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Martell, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Kenosha, WI → Trenton, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
New Berlin, WI → Frederic, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Racine, WI → Hurley, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Saint Croix Falls, WI → Wauwatosa, WI
Milwaukee, WI → Balsam Lake, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Franklin, WI → Prescott, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Cth F: Hudson
Sanborn, WI → City of Janesville, WI
Through: Madison
Kenosha, WI → Park Falls, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton → Rhinelander
Rice Lake, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Glenwood City, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Ellsworth, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Milwaukee, WI → Prescott, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Cth F: Hudson
Martell, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Balsam Lake, WI → Menomonee Falls, WI
Wauwatosa, WI → Balsam Lake, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Osceola, WI → New Berlin, WI
Through: River Falls → Eau Claire → Madison
Spring Valley, WI → Kenosha, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
West Allis, WI → Balsam Lake, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Racine, WI → Rice Lake, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +2 more
Racine, WI → Trenton, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Kenosha, WI → Woodville, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Oak Creek, WI → Hudson, WI
Through: Milwaukee → Eau Claire → Saint Paul
Trimbelle, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Milwaukee, WI → Shell Lake, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior