This 339.1-mile journey from New Richmond, WI to Racine, WI is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 6 hours and 24 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 96% of the drive on major roads like I 94 and the North-South Freeway. You can expect a fuel cost of around $53 for this trip. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, it's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This drive primarily stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward connection between two Wisconsin cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
169.6 miles from New Richmond, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
292.5 mi
5h 14m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
State Highway 65
10.1 mi
14m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
I 41
1.3 mi
1m
South Knowles Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 292.5 mi, about 5h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Richmond, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on CTH K
259 ft·12 sec·East 1st Street
2
Turn left onto WI 65
1.3 mi·3 min·South Knowles Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on WI 65
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 65
4
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
127 ft·2 sec·State Highway 65
5
Continue on WI 65
5.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 65
6
Turn slight right onto WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·WI 65
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
231 ft·13 sec·State Highway 65
8
Continue on WI 65
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
9
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
110 ft·6 sec·State Highway 65
10
Continue on WI 65
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 65
11
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 65
12
Enter roundabout onto WI 65
94 ft·5 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
13
Continue on WI 65
0.1 mi·16 sec·State Highway 65
Toward River Falls
14
Enter roundabout
293 ft·17 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
15
Continue
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Eau Claire, Madison
16
Merge onto I 94
228 mi·4 hr 4 min·I 94
Use the straight lane.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
22
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
29
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
30
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
31
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
32
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
33
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
35
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
36
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
37
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
38
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 339.1-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from New Richmond to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. With a total duration of 6 hours and 24 minutes and a longest uninterrupted stretch of 292.5 miles, plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break. Given the highway-centric nature, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer segments on I 94. The estimated fuel cost of $53 is a helpful budget point, but it's always wise to have a little extra.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.6 miles from New Richmond, WI, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 292.5 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 75 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.6 miles or 3h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 6m
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 New Richmond, 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 New Richmond, WI
This is one driving day of about 339.1 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from New Richmond, 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 292.5 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 241.2 and 328.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
305.4 mi into trip|~5h 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
306 mi into trip|~5h 36m 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
315.1 mi into trip|~5h 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
328.4 mi into trip|~6h 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
$53.01 one way
$106.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$58.21
$116.42
premium
$4.89
$65.26
$130.51
diesel
$5.61
$74.87
$149.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.7
1
$35.61
$16.28
Efficient EV
84.8
0
$29.67
$13.56
EV Truck/SUV
135.6
1
$47.47
$21.70
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
New Richmond, WI
Evening
in New Richmond on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Evening
in Racine on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Cloudy
W 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 5:41AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:27AM CDT until April 19 at 11:31PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
3 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
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 187.1
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
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 experience for most of this 6-hour, 24-minute drive, with 96% of your travel occurring on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 94, including a continuous stretch of 292.5 miles. The primary roads guiding you are I 94, the North-South Freeway, and State Highway 65. This profile suggests a route that prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways, allowing for steady progress toward Racine.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 292.5 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 241.2 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort9/10
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 30 significant decision points across 339.1 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 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306 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.
On the drive from New Richmond, WI to Racine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
305.4 mi in|~5h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 339.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 292.5 miles on I 94. 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 241.2 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Racine, WI before the return drive.
