This 167.2-mile drive from Mauston, Wisconsin to Racine, Wisconsin is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 14 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about finding overnight accommodations. The route is almost entirely on major highways, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. You can expect a fuel cost of around $26 for this trip. Since both your origin and destination are in the Midwest, you'll be traversing familiar terrain throughout your travels.
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
83.6 miles from Mauston, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
67.8 mi
1h 12m
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
State Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mauston, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on Division Street
64 ft·8 sec·Division Street
2
Turn right onto US 12; WI 16
0.3 mi·58 sec·East State Street
3
Turn left onto WI 58; WI 82; CTH G
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Union Street
4
Turn right onto WI 82
0.6 mi·1 min·State Highway 82
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
6
Merge onto I 90; I 94
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
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
Given the manageable 3-hour duration, you have a lot of flexibility with when to depart. Leaving in the morning will get you to Racine with plenty of the day still ahead. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you might not need many breaks. However, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an exit is nearly 68 miles. A good tip for this route is to plan your fuel stop before you hit that longest stretch on I-90 to ensure you're always comfortable.
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 83.6 miles from Mauston, WI, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 31m 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 31m
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 Mauston, 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 Mauston, WI
This is one driving day of about 167.2 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Mauston, 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 67.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 69.3 and 156.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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
134 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
143.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
156.4 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
$26.14 one way
$52.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.70
$57.40
premium
$4.89
$32.18
$64.35
diesel
$5.61
$36.92
$73.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.2
0
$17.56
$8.03
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.63
$6.69
EV Truck/SUV
66.9
0
$23.41
$10.70
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 20, 2026
Origin
Mauston, WI
Late night
in Mauston on Tuesday
Local time
4:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
43°F
Farmington, WI
84 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
6 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
3h 14m 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.
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 11.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 92% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll primarily be on I-90, I-94, and the North-South Freeway, offering a consistent and relatively fast pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.8 miles on I-90. This means you can settle in for a good period without frequent exits, allowing for a smooth and uninterrupted journey for much of the way.
92% 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: 67.8 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 69.3 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 23 significant decision points across 167.2 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 69.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 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 Mauston, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
Mauston is in Southwest Wisconsin. It is a town of approximately 4,300 people (2020) along the banks of the Lemonweir River and Lake Decorah. It is the county seat of Juneau County and is the approximate halfway point between Minneapolis and Chicago on I-90/I-94.
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 3h 14m. Total distance: 167.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 69.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Racine, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
