This 274.8-mile drive from Edson to Racine, Wisconsin, is a straightforward trip that can be completed in about 5 hours and 32 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-94 with some segments on County Highway H and US Highway 12, this route is recommended for a single day of travel. With a fuel cost estimated around $43, it's an economical option for a day trip. The journey offers a highway-focused experience through the Midwest region, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground efficiently within Wisconsin.
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
137.4 miles from Edson, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
187.9 mi
3h 22m
County Highway H
23.1 mi
37m
US Highway 12
20.9 mi
28m
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 V
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 187.9 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edson, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on CTH D; CTH V
0.5 mi·48 sec·County Highway D
2
Turn left onto CTH V
2.7 mi·3 min·County Highway V
3
Continue on 50th Avenue
2.0 mi·2 min·50th Avenue
4
Turn right onto CTH H
23 mi·37 min·County Highway H
5
Continue on CTH H
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Center Street
6
Turn left onto US 12; WI 27
197 ft·5 sec·US Highway 12
7
Turn left onto US 10; US 12; WI 27
2.5 mi·3 min·US Highway 10
8
Turn right onto US 12; WI 27
11 mi·15 min·US Highway 12
9
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.4 mi·1 min·Washington Street
10
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.3 mi·50 sec·South Hammond Street
11
Continue on US 12; WI 27
9.9 mi·13 min·US Highway 12
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto I 94
124 mi·2 hr 12 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
14
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.
15
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.
16
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.
17
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
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
19
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
26
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
27
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
28
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
29
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
30
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
32
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
33
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
34
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
35
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 32-minute duration, departing Edson early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. While the drive is manageable in one day, factor in one stop for rest or refueling. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 188 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on that long segment, as gas stations may be less frequent on certain parts of the route.
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 137.4 miles from Edson, WI, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187.9 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 60 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 2h 51m 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 26m
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 Edson, 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 Edson, WI
This is one driving day of about 274.8 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Edson, 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 187.9 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 176.9 and 264 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
176.9 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
241 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
241.6 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
250.8 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
264 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
$42.96 one way
$85.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.17
$94.34
premium
$4.89
$52.88
$105.77
diesel
$5.61
$60.67
$121.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
27 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Culver's - Tesla Supercharger
Black River Falls, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
Culver's - Tesla Supercharger
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
Woodman's Market - Tesla Supercharger
Madison, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
Lake Delton, WI Rechargery Relay - Gasser Rd
Lake Delton, WI
IONNA
10 DCFC
Taphouse Twenty - Tesla Supercharger
Tomah, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hy-Vee - Tesla Supercharger
Madison, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Madison, WI - South Livingston - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.85
$13.19
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.04
$10.99
EV Truck/SUV
109.9
1
$38.47
$17.59
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Edson, WI
Evening
in Edson on Saturday
Local time
8:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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 32m 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 123.2
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 85% of the route on major roads like I-94. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 187.9 miles on I-94, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While much of the journey will be on interstate, there are portions on County Highway H and US Highway 12 that may offer a slightly different driving experience. The road's personality is largely defined by its high highway share, suggesting a focus on covering distance rather than winding scenic byways.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 187.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and County Highway H. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 176.9 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 26 significant decision points across 274.8 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 176.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.6 miles: 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.
On the drive from Edson, WI to Racine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
241 mi in|~4h 43m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 274.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 187.9 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 176.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
