Scenic Drives in Wisconsin
Routes
60
Avg Distance
348 mi
Avg Drive
6h 41m
Destinations
25
Wisconsin's scenic drives offer a relaxed pace, with most routes scoring a 7 or 8 out of 10. Expect mostly flat or gently rolling terrain, with max elevations rarely exceeding 1300 feet. These longer trips, averaging over 340 miles and 7 hours, are perfect for taking in the state's varied landscapes, including ample park access across our 60 routes.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.24/gal
Diesel: $6.28/gal
Typical trip cost
$54–$69
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 2026-10-19
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 lengthy drive boasts a high drive score of 8 and access to parks. The route features mostly flat terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 1216 feet, making for a comfortable exploration of the state.
Editor's pick
Racine, WI → Cloverland, WI
Through: Milwaukee → Eau Claire → Saint Paul +1 more
Another top-tier drive with a score of 8, this route also offers park access and traverses mostly flat land. Its maximum elevation is 1182 feet, presenting a consistent driving experience.
Editor's pick
Kenosha, WI → Lind, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +3 more
Rated a 7 for its scenic qualities, this trip includes park access and gently rolling terrain. It reaches a peak elevation of 1324 feet, providing a touch more variation than some other Wisconsin drives.
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
City of Janesville, WI → Lake Nebagamon, WI
Through: Saint Paul → Superior
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 → Milltown, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior +1 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
Hurley, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Madison → Waupaca → Appleton
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
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
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
Hudson, WI → Oak Creek, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Kenosha, WI → Woodville, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac → Milwaukee → Eau Claire +1 more
Trimbelle, WI → Racine, WI
Through: Fond Du Lac
Milwaukee, WI → Shell Lake, WI
Through: Eau Claire → Saint Paul → Superior