Origin
Eagle River, WI
Evening in Eagle River on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eagle River, WI to Racine, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 58m
Distance
269.3 mi
433 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 45m
★
6 AM
5h 58m
8 AM
6h 24m
10 AM
6h 7m
12 PM
6h 5m
3 PM
6h 9m
5 PM
6h 23m
8 PM
5h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagle River, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 269.3-mile journey from Eagle River, WI to Racine, WI is a solid day trip, easily completed in about 5 hours and 58 minutes. With 89% of the drive on highways, it’s a focused, direct route connecting two points within the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost is around $42, making it an economical option for a single-day excursion. You’ll primarily navigate via I 41 and US Highway 45. This drive is a straightforward way to cover ground efficiently, so you can plan for a single day without needing an overnight stop.
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
134.6 miles from Eagle River, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 87.4 mi | 1h 38m |
| US Highway 45 | 72 mi | 1h 39m |
| US 45 | 64 mi | 1h 28m |
| North-South Freeway | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| Northwestern Avenue | 9 mi | 15m |
| East Prospect Avenue | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| South Superior Street | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagle River, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on East Spruce Street
113 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Spruce Street
2
Turn right onto North Silver Lake Road
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Silver Lake Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Wall Street
4
Continue on US 45; WI 32
8.8 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 45
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto US 45; WI 32
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Superior Street
6
Continue on US 45
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 45
7
Take the exit onto US 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 45
8
Turn left onto US 45; WI 47
30 mi
·
43 min
·
US 45; WI 47
9
Turn right onto Century Avenue
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Century Avenue
10
Turn left onto Clermont Street
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Clermont Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto 10th Avenue
499 ft
·
16 sec
·
10th Avenue
12
Turn right onto US 45; WI 47; WI 52
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
South Superior Street
13
Continue on US 45; WI 52
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
US 45; WI 52
14
Continue on US 45; CTH Z
14 mi
·
18 min
·
US 45; CTH Z
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto US 45
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 45
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 45
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 45
Toward CTH Q, US 45 South: Clintonville
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
216 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 45
18
Merge onto US 45
17 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 45
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 45
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Prospect Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 45; WI 22; CTH D
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
24 mi
·
32 min
·
US Highway 45
Use the straight lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto US 45
110 ft
·
6 sec
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
23
Continue on US 45
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 45
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 45
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
26
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi
·
13 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 329
Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
33
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
34
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft
·
1 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
35
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
36
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Street
37
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the straight lane.
38
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
39
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
40
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wisconsin Avenue
41
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft
·
8 sec
·
7th Street
42
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 58-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Eagle River to avoid potential traffic as you approach Racine. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's a budget-friendly trip, and you'll likely only need one planned stop for gas or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 87.4-mile stretch on I 41, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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 134.6 miles from Eagle River, WI, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 59 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 3h 16m 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 54m
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 Eagle River, 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 Eagle River, WI
This is one driving day of about 269.3 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Eagle River, 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 87.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.6 miles from Eagle River, 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 87.4 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 335 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 258.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Wall Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Street
Navigation decision point
6
83.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
US 45
Turn left onto US 45
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
141.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
|
US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
245.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m 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
258.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m 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
$42.10 one way
$84.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.23 | $92.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.82 | $103.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.46 | $118.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.8 | 0 | $28.28 | $12.93 |
| Efficient EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.7 | 1 | $37.70 | $17.24 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Evening in Racine on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
14 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 58m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this trip, with 89% of the 269.3 miles on high-speed roads. You’ll spend a significant portion of your time on I 41 and US Highway 45. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 87.4 miles on I 41, offering a chance to settle into a steady rhythm. While largely a highway drive, the transition between main arteries like I 41 and US 45 will mark the most notable changes in your immediate surroundings.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Wall Street.
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 33 significant decision points across 269.3 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 0.2 miles (East Wall Street): Navigation decision point; at 83.6 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 141.4 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Eagle River, WI to Racine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Cth Q along the way.
Cth Q
85.9 mi in
|
~2h 7m
|
via US 45
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 269.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 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 0.2 miles (East Wall Street): Navigation decision point; at 83.6 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 141.4 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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