Lebanon, WI to Racine, WI is 76.6 miles and takes about 1h 50m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a straightforward journey primarily on highways, making it a practical option for a quick trip between these two points. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a same-day excursion, allowing you ample time for your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.3 miles from Lebanon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
27.9 mi
30m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
County Road F
5.3 mi
9m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
County Road SC
3.6 mi
8m
County Highway R
3.2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 27.9 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on CTH MM
141 ft·6 sec·South Street
2
Turn right onto CTH R
3.2 mi·7 min·County Highway R
3
Turn left onto CTH SC
3.6 mi·8 min·County Road SC
4
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
2.3 mi·3 min·WI 16
5
Enter roundabout onto CTH F
30 ft·0 sec·American Street
6
Continue on CTH F
0.3 mi·28 sec·American Street
7
Continue on CTH F
5.3 mi·9 min·County Road F
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
9
Merge onto I 94
28 mi·30 min·I 94
Use 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
With a drive time under two hours, this trip offers significant flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps in the morning to maximize your time in Racine, or later in the day for a sunset arrival. There are no designated stops provided, so plan your own breaks as needed, keeping in mind the $10 fuel estimate suggests one fill-up might be sufficient. Given the longest stretch is under 30 miles, you won't be confined to the highway for excessive periods. Keep an eye out for signage directing you onto Northwestern Avenue as you approach Racine.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.3 miles from Lebanon, WI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 17 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
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 Lebanon, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lebanon, WI
This is one driving day of about 76.6 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lebanon, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 27.9 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.8 and 65.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
42.8 mi into trip|~1h 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
43.4 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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...
7
44.1 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
9
52.6 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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
65.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
$11.98 one way
$23.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.15
$26.30
premium
$4.89
$14.74
$29.48
diesel
$5.61
$16.91
$33.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23
0
$8.04
$3.68
Efficient EV
19.2
0
$6.70
$3.06
EV Truck/SUV
30.6
0
$10.72
$4.90
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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
Lebanon, WI
Morning
in Lebanon on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Morning
in Racine on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 50m 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?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 68% of the journey utilizing major freeways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I 94, including a stretch of 27.9 miles without interruption. The North-South Freeway is another key artery, guiding you toward your destination. Expect consistent speeds and a direct path, characteristic of many interstate journeys in the Midwest. The road profile suggests a predictable and efficient travel experience.
68% 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: 27.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.6 miles you will encounter 25 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 42.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Lebanon, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
Fond Du Lac
42.8 mi in|~1h
Cth K: Racine
65.8 mi in|~1h 30m
Caledonia
65.8 mi in|~1h 30m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 76.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.9 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
