Spanning 120.1 miles across Wisconsin, this trip from Lodi to Racine is a straightforward journey typically taking 2 hours and 24 minutes. It functions perfectly as a simple day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly way to navigate between these two Midwest locations. Because the route is concentrated on major thoroughfares, it is an efficient choice for travelers prioritizing speed over sightseeing. If you are looking for a reliable, no-fuss connection across the state, this highway-focused drive delivers exactly what you need.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.1 miles from Lodi, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m 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
State Highway 60
3.8 mi
5m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lodi, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on WI 113
34 ft·5 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto WI 60
0.4 mi·1 min·Portage Street
3
Continue on WI 60
3.8 mi·5 min·State Highway 60
4
Enter roundabout
46 ft·2 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94
18 mi·18 min·I 39; I 90; I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
12
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
19
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
21
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
23
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
25
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
26
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
27
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
28
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because the route is designed for efficiency, plan to make your fuel stops strategically to keep your $18 budget on track. There are no mandatory stops scheduled, meaning you can easily power through the 2-hour and 24-minute duration without needing a major break. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between I-94, I-39, and the North-South Freeway to ensure you stay on the most direct path. By staying prepared for the 64.2-mile stretch on I-94, you can ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival in 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 60.1 miles from Lodi, WI, or about 1h 7m 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 7m 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 53m
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 Lodi, 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 Lodi, WI
This is one driving day of about 120.1 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lodi, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 109.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.2 mi into trip|~26m 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
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
96.1 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
109.3 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
$18.78 one way
$37.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.62
$41.23
premium
$4.89
$23.11
$46.22
diesel
$5.61
$26.52
$53.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36
0
$12.61
$5.76
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.51
$4.80
EV Truck/SUV
48
0
$16.81
$7.69
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Lodi, WI
Late night
in Lodi on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Late night
in Racine on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 24m 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 focused interstate experience, as 89% of this 120.1-mile route is comprised of highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-94, I-39, and the North-South Freeway, which provide a consistent, high-speed pace for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 64.2 miles on I-94, requiring you to maintain focus during long periods of sustained driving. While the road lacks the technical challenges of backroads, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving steadily toward your destination. It is a practical, utilitarian route designed to get you from Lodi to Racine as efficiently as possible.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 22.2 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 24 significant decision points across 120.1 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 22.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.9 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 Lodi, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 120.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.9 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.
