Cornell, WI to Racine, WI is 294.1 miles and takes about 5h 50m via South 3rd Street and Highway 27, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Wisconsin, traversing familiar Midwest terrain. Expect a route that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective on the landscape compared to interstate travel. Given its manageable duration, it's a feasible one-day trip, but you'll want to plan for a few stops to break up the 5 hours and 50 minutes of driving time.
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
147.1 miles from Cornell, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
214.7 mi
3h 50m
State Highway 27
34.5 mi
51m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
County Highway R
6.8 mi
11m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 214.7 mi, about 3h 50m
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 Cornell, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on Main Street
74 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South 3rd Street
3
Continue on WI 27
35 mi·51 min·State Highway 27
4
Turn right onto US 12; CTH G
1.0 mi·1 min·West Lincoln Street
5
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 12; WI 27
6
Turn left onto CTH R
6.8 mi·11 min·County Highway R
7
Continue on CTH R
0.5 mi·54 sec·County Road R
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 10
0.8 mi·1 min·US Highway 10
9
Continue on US 10
0.8 mi·1 min·10th Street
10
Turn sharp left
0.3 mi·39 sec
11
Merge onto I 94
151 mi·2 hr 41 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
12
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.
13
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.
14
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.
15
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
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
17
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
24
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
26
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
27
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
28
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
30
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
31
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
32
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
33
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
For this 294.1-mile trip, leaving Cornell, WI in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for potential delays. The total drive time is estimated at 5 hours and 50 minutes, so consider one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $46, keep an eye on your gauge, especially since you'll be on surface roads without constant service areas. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, familiarize yourself with the primary roads like Highway 27 beforehand to maintain your estimated 5h 50m duration.
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 147.1 miles from Cornell, WI, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.7 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 65 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.1 miles or 2h 59m 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 40m
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 Cornell, 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 Cornell, WI
This is one driving day of about 294.1 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Cornell, 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 214.7 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 196.2 and 283.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
196.2 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
260.4 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
261 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
270.1 mi into trip|~5h 15m 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
283.3 mi into trip|~5h 31m 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
$39.95 one way
$79.89 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$44.58
$89.16
premium
$4.15
$48.05
$96.10
diesel
$3.75
$43.42
$86.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.2
1
$30.88
$14.12
Efficient EV
73.5
0
$25.73
$11.76
EV Truck/SUV
117.6
1
$41.17
$18.82
Gas CO2
103 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 18, 2026
Origin
Cornell, WI
Night
in Cornell on Sunday
Local time
9:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Night
in Racine on Sunday
Local time
9:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
SW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
52°F
Clinton, WI
147 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
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 50m 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 142
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is exclusively on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway driving. You'll begin on South 3rd Street in Cornell, transitioning to Highway 27, and eventually West Lincoln Street. With 0% highway share, anticipate a consistent pace without the rapid acceleration and deceleration typical of interstate travel. The absence of a 'longest stretch' indicates frequent opportunities for breaks or changes in scenery.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 27. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 196.2 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 25 significant decision points across 294.1 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 196.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,082 ft856 ft
Total Climb
97 ft
Total Descent
313 ft
Highest Point
1,082 ft
Elevation Range
226 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 Cornell, 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 50m. Total distance: 294.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 214.7 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 196.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
