Origin
Hazelhurst, WI
Evening in Hazelhurst on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
275.2 mi
443 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hazelhurst, WI
Tom Fisk
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
This 275.3-mile journey from Hazelhurst, WI, to Racine, WI, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes. You'll be navigating primarily via I-39 South, US-10 East, and US-45 South, experiencing a drive that's more about local roads than major highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $42 and just one recommended stop, it's an efficient trip through the heart of Wisconsin's Midwest region. This route offers a straightforward path for a day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
137.6 miles from Hazelhurst, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 87.4 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 51 | 66.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 10 | 51.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 39 | 29.8 mi | 32m |
| US 45 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| North-South Freeway | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| Northwestern Avenue | 9 mi | 15m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hazelhurst, WI and Racine, WI.
Start on US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
Take the exit
Merge onto I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
Take the exit
Turn left onto CTH K
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
Continue on WI 38
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
Continue on WI 38
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
Continue on WI 38
Turn right onto WI 32
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour and 25-minute duration, starting your drive from Hazelhurst in the morning is advisable to arrive in Racine with ample time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $42, this trip is budget-friendly and efficient. Pay close attention to your navigation as you transition between I-39 South, US-10 East, and US-45 South; the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means staying focused on your route is key to a smooth journey. You'll appreciate the flexibility this shorter, single-day drive offers.
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.
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 61 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.6 miles or 2h 43m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Racine, WI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hazelhurst, 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 Hazelhurst, WI
This is one driving day of about 275.2 miles and 5h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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.
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 137.6 miles from Hazelhurst, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 66.2 and 264.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$43.02 one way
$86.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.24 | $94.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.96 | $105.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.76 | $121.52 |
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: 96.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.6 | 1 | $28.90 | $13.21 |
| Efficient EV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.08 | $11.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.1 | 1 | $38.53 | $17.61 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Hazelhurst on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Racine on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with no highway percentage to speak of. Instead of long stretches of uninterrupted driving, you'll find yourself making frequent turns as you transition between I-39 South, US-10 East, and US-45 South. This profile means the driving experience is more dynamic, requiring your attention as you navigate various local road conditions. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch suggests constant engagement with the changing road environment.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 51. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 66.2 miles in near I 39; US 51.
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 21 significant decision points across 275.2 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 66.2 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hazelhurst, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
Waupaca
Appleton
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 275.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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