This 125-mile drive from Lake Wisconsin to Racine, Wisconsin, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 35 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused experience, with 84% of the journey on major interstates like I-94 and the North-South Freeway. Budget around $20 for fuel, and with only one recommended stop, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region throughout your journey. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to get from point A to point B in Wisconsin.
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
62.5 miles from Lake Wisconsin, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
I 39
17.7 mi
18m
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
3.5 mi
6m
Richards Road
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Wisconsin, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on Summerville Park Road
1.2 mi·4 min·Summerville Park Road
2
Turn left onto CTH V
3.5 mi·6 min·County Highway V
3
Continue on Richards Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Richards Road
4
Turn right onto Kohn Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Kohn Road
5
Turn left onto WI 60
1.4 mi·1 min·State Highway 60
6
Enter roundabout
46 ft·2 sec
7
Continue
0.3 mi·34 sec
8
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
18 mi·18 min·I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
14
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
21
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
23
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
25
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
27
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
28
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
29
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
30
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given this route's manageable 2-hour and 35-minute duration and 125-mile length, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to enjoy cooler temperatures and less traffic, especially on I-94. With a fuel cost estimate of $20 and only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longest stretch of 64.2 miles on I-94; planning a quick fill-up beforehand can prevent any unnecessary delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.5 miles from Lake Wisconsin, WI, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 28 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.5 miles or 1h 15m 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 3m
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 Lake Wisconsin, 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 Lake Wisconsin, WI
This is one driving day of about 125 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Lake Wisconsin, 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 64.2 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 27.1 and 114.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
27.1 mi into trip|~37m 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
91.2 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
91.8 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
101 mi into trip|~2h 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
114.2 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
$19.54 one way
$39.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.46
$42.91
premium
$4.89
$24.06
$48.11
diesel
$5.61
$27.60
$55.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.5
0
$13.13
$6.00
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.94
$5.00
EV Truck/SUV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lake Wisconsin, WI
Night
in Lake Wisconsin on Saturday
Local time
9:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Night
in Racine on Saturday
Local time
9:54 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
19 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
2h 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 125-mile trip. With 84% of your travel on major roadways such as I-94, the North-South Freeway, and I-39, the pace will generally be swift. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.2 miles on I-94, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While it's a highway-centric route, the transition between these main roads is designed for efficiency, making for a predictable driving experience.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.1 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 125 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 27.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.8 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.
Between Lake Wisconsin, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
Fond Du Lac
91.2 mi in|~1h 46m
Cth K: Racine
114.2 mi in|~2h 16m
Caledonia
114.2 mi in|~2h 16m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 125 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 27.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Racine, WI before heading back.
