Scenic Drives in Wisconsin
Routes
60
Avg Distance
295 mi
Avg Drive
5h 46m
Destinations
48
Wisconsin offers over 60 scenic drives, with an average length of 295 miles and a duration of nearly 6 hours. These routes showcase a range of terrain, from mostly flat to gently rolling landscapes, with maximum elevations reaching over 1,200 feet. The drives boast an average drive score of 8, indicating a high potential for enjoyable exploration across the state.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.22/gal
Diesel: $5.35/gal
Typical trip cost
$40–$69
One-way, ~295 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~103 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01
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 416-mile route scores an 8 for its scenic potential. With mostly flat terrain and access to parks, it offers a substantial drive through Wisconsin's varied landscapes.
Editor's pick
Racine, WI → Cloverland, WI
Through: Milwaukee → Eau Claire → Saint Paul +1 more
Another 8-score drive, this 413-mile option also features mostly flat terrain and park access, providing a lengthy, engaging journey across the state.
Editor's pick
Milwaukee, WI → Superior, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul
Covering 392 miles, this drive earns an 8 drive score. It navigates gently rolling terrain and includes park access, making it a notable option for exploring Wisconsin's natural beauty.
Superior, 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
Kenosha, WI → Prescott, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Racine, WI → Balsam Lake, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Racine, WI → Somerset, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Milwaukee, WI → Sanborn, WI
Through: Appleton → Rhinelander
Racine, WI → Hurley, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Milwaukee, WI → Balsam Lake, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 more
Kenosha, WI → Park Falls, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton → Rhinelander
Racine, WI → Martell, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Racine, WI → Trenton, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Milwaukee, WI → Shell Lake, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior
New Richmond, WI → Mequon, WI
Through: Cth F: Waukesha → Sussex → Cth F North: Waukesha
Kenosha, WI → Chetek, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +2 more
Racine, WI → Ladysmith, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Kenosha, WI → Phillips, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton → Rhinelander
Kenosha, WI → Saint Germain, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Racine, WI → Phillips, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton → Rhinelander
Racine, WI → Tainter Lake, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Racine, WI → Menomonie, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Milwaukee, WI → Ellsworth, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Cth R: Osseo +1 more
Racine, WI → Saint Germain, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Kenosha, WI → Lake Tomahawk, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Kenosha, WI → Minocqua, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Milwaukee, WI → Woodville, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul
Kenosha, WI → Conover, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton → Cth M +1 more
Racine, WI → Worcester, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton → Rhinelander
Chippewa Falls, WI → Pleasant Prairie, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Racine, WI → Crescent, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Kenosha, WI → Seymour, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Milwaukee, WI → Boyceville, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul
Racine, WI → Conover, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton → Cth M +1 more
Milwaukee, WI → Phillips, WI
Through: Appleton → Rhinelander
Milwaukee, WI → Red Cedar, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Mondovi
Racine, WI → Rhinelander, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Racine, WI → Altoona, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Milwaukee, WI → Saint Germain, WI
Through: Appleton
Oak Creek, WI → Minocqua, WI
Through: Appleton
Eau Claire, WI → Silver Lake, WI
Racine, WI → Fall Creek, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Milwaukee, WI → Crescent, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Cth R: Osseo +1 more
Racine, WI → Bradley, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Appleton
Oak Creek, WI → Rhinelander, WI
Through: Appleton
Eau Claire, WI → Bohners Lake, WI
Through: Burlington
Eau Claire, WI → Pell Lake, WI
Eau Claire, WI → Shorewood, WI
Racine, WI → Whitehall, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +2 more
Racine, WI → Osseo, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
North La Crosse, WI → Peshtigo, WI
Through: Oxford → Appleton → Lmct: Oconto +1 more
Eau Claire, WI → Germantown, WI
Through: Cth F: Waukesha → Sussex → Cth F North: Waukesha
Eau Claire, WI → Rochester, WI
Through: Cth C: Delafield
Eau Claire, WI → Lake Geneva, WI
Holmen, WI → Pleasant Prairie, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Racine, WI → Blair, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +2 more
Kenosha, WI → Saint Joseph, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +2 more
North La Crosse, WI → Pound, WI
Through: Oxford → Appleton → Iron Mountain