Origin
Dakota, WI
Morning in Dakota on Tuesday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dakota, WI to Racine, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
149.4 mi
240 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dakota, WI
fish socks
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a trip from Dakota, WI, to Racine, WI, covers 149.4 miles and is estimated to take about 3 hours and 23 minutes. This drive is comfortably manageable as a single-day excursion, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. With a projected fuel cost of $23, it's a budget-friendly option for exploring the Midwest. The journey primarily utilizes major roadways, offering a straightforward travel experience. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a relatively efficient way to get between these two Wisconsin locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.7 miles from Dakota, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 60.3 mi | 1h 9m |
| North-South Freeway | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| West Division Street | 10.8 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 23 & 73 | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| Northwestern Avenue | 9 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 22 | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 23 | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| US 45 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 60.3 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dakota, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on CTH Y
243 ft
·
8 sec
·
County Highway Y
2
Turn left onto CTH JJ
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road JJ
3
Turn right onto State Highway 22
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 22
4
Continue on State Highway 22
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 22
5
Turn left onto CTH J
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
County Highway J
6
Continue on CTH J
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road J
7
Turn right onto WI 73; CTH J
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
8
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fulton Street
9
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 23 & 73
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 23 & 49
11
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Fond du Lac Street
12
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Fond du Lac Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto WI 23; WI 49; CTH E
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Blackburn Street
14
Turn left onto WI 23; WI 49; CTH E
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Fond du Lac Street
15
Continue on WI 23
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 23
16
Continue on WI 23
11 mi
·
16 min
·
West Division Street
17
Take the ramp onto US 45
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 45
18
Continue on I 41; US 41
59 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi
·
13 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 329
Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
25
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft
·
1 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
27
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
28
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Street
29
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
31
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
32
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wisconsin Avenue
33
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft
·
8 sec
·
7th Street
34
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 23-minute duration, departing in the morning is ideal to allow for a full day at your destination. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 60.3-mile stretch on I 41, as services might be less frequent. A good tip for this route is to ensure you have your preferred navigation set to account for the transition from the North-South Freeway to West Division Street, as this is where you'll exit the main highway system.
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 74.7 miles from Dakota, WI, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.3 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 33 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 44m
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 Dakota, 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 Dakota, WI
This is one driving day of about 149.4 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Dakota, 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 41 for about 60.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.7 miles from Dakota, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 36.3 and 138.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
36.3 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
WI 23; WI 49; CTH E / Blackburn Street
At end of road, turn right onto WI 23; WI 49; CTH E / Blackburn Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
121 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41 / Airport Freeway
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41 / Airport Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
5
126.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
I 41; I 94; US 41 / North-South Freeway
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41 / North-South Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
138.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m 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
$23.36 one way
$46.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.65 | $51.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.75 | $57.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.99 | $65.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.69 | $7.17 |
| Efficient EV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.07 | $5.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.92 | $9.56 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Racine, WI
Morning in Racine on Tuesday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the route utilizing major freeways. You can expect a significant portion of your time to be spent on I 41 and the North-South Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.3 miles on I 41, allowing for a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads, there will be transitions onto local streets like West Division Street as you approach your destination, offering a slight change of scenery before you arrive.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.3 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.3 miles in near WI 23; WI 49; CTH E / Blackburn Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 149.4 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 36.3 miles (WI 23; WI 49; CTH E / Blackburn Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 121 miles (I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41 / Airport Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dakota, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
Cth K: Racine
138.6 mi in
|
~3h 4m
Caledonia
138.6 mi in
|
~3h 4m
About the Cities
Arriving in Racine, WI
Full guide →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.
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 3h 23m. Total distance: 149.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.3 miles on I 41. 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 36.3 miles (WI 23; WI 49; CTH E / Blackburn Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 121 miles (I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41 / Airport Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.3 miles (I 41; US 41): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Racine, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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