Trip from Alma, WI to Racine, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 36m

Distance

285.8 mi

460 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 23m ★

6 AM

5h 37m

8 AM

6h 3m

10 AM

5h 46m

12 PM

5h 43m

3 PM

5h 47m

5 PM

6h 2m

8 PM

5h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Alma, WI

Tom Fisk

city in and county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States

Racine, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Alma, WI to Racine, WI is 285.8 miles and takes about 5h 36m via State Road 35, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, traversing Wisconsin for its entirety. It's a route that favors surface roads over highways, offering a more grounded perspective on the landscape. With a single day recommended, you'll want to plan your departure to maximize daylight and ensure you're prepared for a full day of driving on varied roadways.

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

142.9 miles from Alma, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	132.5 mi	2h 22m
I 94	64.2 mi	1h 9m
State Road 35	28.7 mi	40m
US 53	14.8 mi	18m
North-South Freeway	11.9 mi	13m
Northwestern Avenue	9 mi	15m
State Highway 93	8.2 mi	11m
Airport Freeway	4.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 132.5 mi, about 2h 22m

Traffic on I-94

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 180 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,461 veh/hr typical · worst 4,091

Quietest

2 AM

~194 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

17.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alma, WI and Racine, WI.

Start on WI 35

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Continue on WI 35

15 mi · 21 min · State Road 35

Continue on WI 35

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Shore Drive

Continue on WI 35

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on WI 35

13 mi · 19 min · State Road 35

Continue on WI 93; WI 54

8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 93

Continue on US 53; WI 93

15 mi · 18 min · US 53; WI 93

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Merge onto I 90

133 mi · 2 hr 22 min · I 90

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 94

Exit 138A Toward I 94: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 305A-B Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 30 sec · this road

Exit 305A Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45

4.0 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41

4.3 mi · 5 min · Airport Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 41; US 41

Exit 10B Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41

12 mi · 13 min · North-South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Exit 329 Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto CTH K

5.1 mi · 9 min · Northwestern Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

27 ft · 0 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Continue on WI 38

3.4 mi · 5 min · Northwestern Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

91 ft · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Continue on WI 38

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

72 ft · 4 sec · State Street

Continue on WI 38

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto WI 32

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32

309 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street

Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue

284 ft · 14 sec · Wisconsin Avenue

Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32

245 ft · 8 sec · 7th Street

Arrive at destination

WI 20; WI 32

Trip Plan

Since this drive is best completed in a single day, aim for an early morning departure from Alma to make the most of the 5h 36m estimated driving time. There's one suggested stop, so consider breaking up the 285.8 miles midway to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $45, and while you're mostly on surface roads, service availability can vary between towns. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your timing based on traffic or how you feel along the way.

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 142.9 miles from Alma, WI, or about 2h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 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 63 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 142.9 miles or 2h 49m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Racine, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Alma, 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 Alma, WI

This is one driving day of about 285.8 miles and 5h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Alma, 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 90 for about 132.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cross Plains, WI

143 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

West Salem, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lodi, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.9 miles from Alma, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

0.9 mi from route

Rest Area

1 mi from route

Rest Area

2 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 187.8 and 275 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

187.8 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in | I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 138A Toward I 94: Milwaukee

252 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in

Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac

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 305A-B Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac

252.6 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...

261.7 mi into trip | ~5h 1m in | I 41; US 41

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 10B Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago

275 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in

Take the exit toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 329 Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.67 one way

$95.35 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$51.82	$103.63
premium	$5.26	$59.17	$118.35
diesel	$6.18	$69.53	$139.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.7	1	$30.01	$13.72
Efficient EV	71.5	0	$25.01	$11.43
EV Truck/SUV	114.3	1	$40.01	$18.29

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Oct 16, 2026

Origin

Alma, WI

Morning in Alma on Saturday

Local time

6:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy

NW 10 to 21 mph 73% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:18AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

Destination

Racine, WI

Morning in Racine on Saturday

Local time

6:14 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Chance Rain Showers

NW 15 to 25 mph 46% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:00AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:18AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

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

5 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

5h 36m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 128.1

Caution: Use Caution — Devil's Lake Segment

Caution: Use Caution — Tisch Mills Segment

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway driving. You'll primarily be on State Road 35, North Shore Drive, and South Main Street. Expect a consistent, non-highway driving experience for the full 285.8 miles. You'll notice the absence of frequent exits and high-speed merging, allowing for a more relaxed pace as you navigate through towns and rural areas.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 132.5 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 187.8 miles in near I 94.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 285.8 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 187.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 252 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

944 ft 624 ft

Total Climb

447 ft

Total Descent

503 ft

Highest Point

944 ft

~141.9 mi in

Elevation Range

320 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Alma, WI to Racine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.

Fond Du Lac

252 mi in | ~4h 47m

About the Cities

Starting in Alma, WI

Full guide →

Arriving in Racine, WI

Full guide →

Founded 1699

Racine is a city of 77,000 people (2019) in Southeast Wisconsin along Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River. It is the county seat of Racine County.

Top landmarks

• Johnson Wax Headquarters — corporate headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin
• Thomas P. Hardy House — historic house in Wisconsin, United States
• Racine Harbor Lighthouse and Life Saving Station — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 285.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 132.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Racine, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Racine, WI before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Alma, WI to Racine, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-94

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Lyndon Station Rest Area 9

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Portage Rest Area 11

Poynette Rest Area 12

Bangor Rest Area 15

Service Plaza

Sparta Rest Area 16

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Johnson Creek Rest Area 14

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Mauston Rest Area 10

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alma, WI

Racine, WI

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 36m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Alma, WI

Arriving in Racine, WI

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Racine, WI

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