Holmen to Racine is 238.4 miles and takes about 4h 32m via I 90 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. The route is almost entirely highway, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option for a quick trip across the state.
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
119.2 miles from Holmen, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
132.5 mi
2h 22m
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
US 53
5.5 mi
6m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 132.5 mi, about 2h 22m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 180 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,461 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,091
Quietest
2 AM
~194 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.8×
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 Holmen, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on CTH D
70 ft·6 sec·County Highway D
2
Turn left onto CTH DH
0.5 mi·53 sec·South Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto CTH DH
72 ft·1 sec·West Gaarder Road
4
Continue on CTH DH
0.2 mi·23 sec·West Gaarder Road
5
Turn left onto CTH HD; WI 35 BUS
0.9 mi·1 min·Holmen Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
7
Merge onto US 53
5.5 mi·6 min·US 53
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
9
Merge onto I 90
133 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 90
Use the straight lane.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
15
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
22
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
24
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
26
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
28
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
29
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
30
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
31
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Racine before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you don't need to worry about breaking it up, but plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 132.5-mile stretch on I 90 where services might be less frequent than closer to urban areas. The $32 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 119.2 miles from Holmen, WI, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 32m
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 Holmen, 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 Holmen, WI
This is one driving day of about 238.4 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Holmen, 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 90 for about 132.5 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 140.4 and 227.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
140.4 mi into trip|~2h 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
204.6 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
205.2 mi into trip|~3h 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
214.3 mi into trip|~3h 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
227.6 mi into trip|~4h 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
$39.77 one way
$79.54 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$43.22
$86.44
premium
$5.26
$49.36
$98.72
diesel
$6.18
$58.00
$115.99
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: 83.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.86
$9.54
EV Truck/SUV
95.4
1
$33.38
$15.26
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Holmen, WI
Night
in Holmen on Monday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Night
in Racine on Monday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
47°F
Leeds, WI
119 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
4 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
4h 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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 82.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 94% of the 238.4 miles on major freeways like I 90 and I 94. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 132.5 miles on I 90, which means plenty of opportunity for steady cruising. The transition to surface streets will occur towards the end of your trip, likely as you approach Racine.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 140.4 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort10/10
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 238.4 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 140.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
965 ft624 ft
Total Climb
386 ft
Total Descent
480 ft
Highest Point
965 ft
~187.1 mi in
Elevation Range
341 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 Holmen, 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 4h 32m. Total distance: 238.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 140.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.2 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Racine, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
