Origin
Menasha, WI
Late night in Menasha on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Menasha, WI to Racine, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
127.8 mi
206 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 24m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Menasha, WI
Eugene Laszczewski
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 127.8-mile drive from Menasha, WI to Racine, WI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-41 and the North-South Freeway, you'll spend about 89% of your time on highways, making for an efficient journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this route offers a budget-friendly option for getting from point A to point B. The drive is focused on practical transit rather than extensive sightseeing, so plan accordingly if you're looking for a more scenic experience.
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
63.9 miles from Menasha, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 97.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| North-South Freeway | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| Northwestern Avenue | 9 mi | 15m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Winneconne Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| State Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Commercial Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 97.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Menasha, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on Broad Street
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
Broad Street
2
Turn right onto Racine Street
191 ft
·
3 sec
·
Racine Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
58 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn left onto WI 114
487 ft
·
8 sec
·
Tayco Street
6
Continue on WI 114
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Washington Street
7
Continue on WI 114
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Commercial Street
8
Turn right onto WI 114
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Winneconne Avenue
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
10
Continue on WI 114
321 ft
·
5 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto WI 114
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
12
Continue on WI 114
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Winneconne Avenue
13
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
14
Merge onto I 41; US 41
96 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight lane.
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 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Use 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 329
Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
Use 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 the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 34 minutes, this trip offers flexibility; you can depart whenever suits your schedule. Plan for just one recommended stop to break up the 127.8 miles, ensuring you stay refreshed. The majority of the drive is on highways, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest 97.4-mile stretch on I-41. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economical trip where you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops.
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 63.9 miles from Menasha, WI, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.9 miles or 1h 13m 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
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 Menasha, 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 Menasha, WI
This is one driving day of about 127.8 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Menasha, 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 41 for about 97.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.9 miles from Menasha, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 117 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue
Enter roundabout onto WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
103.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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
117 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
$19.98 one way
$39.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.94 | $43.87 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.59 | $49.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.22 | $56.43 |
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: 44.7 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 | 38.3 | 0 | $13.42 | $6.13 |
| Efficient EV | 32 | 0 | $11.18 | $5.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.89 | $8.18 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Racine, WI
Late night in Racine on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
32% chance
Live forecast
47°F
Butler, WI
64 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
13 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 34m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 127.8-mile route, with 89% of the drive taking place on interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 97.4 miles on I-41, offering a consistent pace. The route generally maintains a freeway feel, allowing for steady progress with minimal interruptions. Navigating through Wisconsin, the road is designed for efficient travel between these two Midwest locations.
89% 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: 97.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and North-South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 127.8 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.9 miles (WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.4 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Menasha, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
Cth K: Racine
117 mi in
|
~2h 14m
Caledonia
117 mi in
|
~2h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 127.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m 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 97.4 miles on I 41. 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 0.1 miles (Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.9 miles (WI 114 / Winneconne Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.4 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Racine, WI before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Racine, WI
More from Menasha, WI
More trips to Racine, WI
Explore more options from Menasha, WI or browse trips ending in Racine, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.