Anson, WI to Racine, WI is 290.3 miles and takes about 5h 35m via County Highway O, County Road S, and County Highway S South, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, and is entirely on surface roads. Expect a relaxed pace with a single recommended stop for this one-day drive. It's a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Wisconsin locations without the bustle of interstate travel.
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
145.1 miles from Anson, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
232 mi
4h 9m
US 53
15.3 mi
17m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
County Highway S
3.3 mi
5m
County Highway O
2.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 232 mi, about 4h 9m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 204 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,991 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,602
Quietest
2 AM
~182 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Anson, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on 190th Street
72 ft·5 sec·190th Street
2
Turn right onto CTH O
2.8 mi·6 min·County Highway O
3
Turn left onto CTH S
0.4 mi·42 sec·County Road S
4
Continue on CTH S
1.7 mi·3 min·County Highway S South
5
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
127 ft·2 sec·County Highway S
6
Continue on CTH S
1.2 mi·2 min·County Highway S
7
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
140 ft·2 sec·County Highway S
8
Continue on CTH S
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway S
9
Enter roundabout onto CTH S
145 ft·3 sec·County Highway S
10
Continue on CTH S
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway S
11
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 53 South: Eau Claire
12
Merge onto US 53
15 mi·17 min·US 53
13
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
14
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft·5 sec·US 53
15
Continue on US 53
441 ft·8 sec·US 53
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
17
Merge onto I 94
168 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 305A-BToward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du LacUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
21
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·30 sec·this road
Exit 305AToward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
23
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
30
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
31
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
32
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
33
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
34
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
35
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
36
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
37
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
38
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
39
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 35m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and the one recommended stop. Since the route is entirely on surface roads, be mindful of local speed limits and potential traffic, especially when passing through towns. The estimated fuel cost of $44 is a good baseline, but check current prices before you leave. Consider making your stop around the halfway point to break up the 290.3 miles.
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 145.1 miles from Anson, WI, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232 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 64 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.1 miles or 2h 45m 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 25m
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 Anson, 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 Anson, WI
This is one driving day of about 290.3 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Anson, 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 94 for about 232 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 192.3 and 279.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
192.3 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
8
256.5 mi into trip|~4h 45m 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
8
257.1 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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...
9
266.3 mi into trip|~4h 59m 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
8
279.5 mi into trip|~5h 15m 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
$48.43 one way
$96.85 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$52.84
$105.67
premium
$5.25
$60.04
$120.07
diesel
$6.28
$71.73
$143.46
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: 101.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.1
1
$30.48
$13.93
Efficient EV
72.6
0
$25.40
$11.61
EV Truck/SUV
116.1
1
$40.64
$18.58
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 19, 2026
Origin
Anson, WI
Night
in Anson on Friday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Night
in Racine on Friday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
61°F
Lodi, WI
145 mi in
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
4 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 35m 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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 130.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features no highway mileage, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire 290.3 miles. The longest stretch without a significant interruption is not specified, but you can anticipate navigating through various local road conditions. You'll notice a consistent local feel as you pass through communities and rural areas, rather than experiencing high-speed highway cruising. This route emphasizes a more grounded travel experience.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 192.3 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort9/10
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 30 significant decision points across 290.3 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 192.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,011 ft624 ft
Total Climb
285 ft
Total Descent
608 ft
Highest Point
1,011 ft
~41.5 mi in
Elevation Range
387 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 Anson, WI to Racine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 290.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 192.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
