Origin
Park Falls, WI
Late night in Park Falls on Wednesday
Local time
12:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Park Falls, WI to Racine, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 33m
Distance
318.4 mi
512 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 22m
★
6 AM
6h 34m
8 AM
6h 58m
10 AM
6h 42m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 44m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Park Falls to Racine is 318.4 miles and takes about 6h 33m via I 41, US 10, and US 51, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, traveling from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. The majority of your travel will be on well-maintained highways, making for a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a consistent pace without needing to plan for an overnight stay.
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
159.2 miles from Park Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 41 | 87.4 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 10 | 51.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| US 51 | 46.3 mi | 53m |
| US 8 | 32.2 mi | 45m |
| I 39 | 29.8 mi | 32m |
| State Highway 13 | 24.8 mi | 33m |
| US 45 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| North-South Freeway | 11.9 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 134 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,047 veh/hr typical · worst 3,650
Quietest
2 AM
~195 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Park Falls, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on WI 182
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Birch Street
2
Continue on WI 182
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
1st Street South
3
Turn left onto WI 13
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
4th Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on WI 13
372 ft
·
5 sec
·
4th Ave S
5
Continue on WI 13
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 13
6
Continue on WI 13
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Flambeau Avenue
7
Continue on WI 13
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 13
8
Continue on WI 13
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North Lake Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on WI 13
11 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 13
10
Turn straight
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
11
Turn left onto US 8
32 mi
·
45 min
·
US 8
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 51
46 mi
·
53 min
·
US 51
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
15
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 39; US 10; US 51
16
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 10; WI 66
Exit 158
Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 45
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
20
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi
·
13 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 329
Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
27
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
28
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft
·
1 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
29
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
30
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Street
31
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
33
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
34
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wisconsin Avenue
35
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft
·
8 sec
·
7th Street
36
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 33m estimated drive time, departing from Park Falls in the morning will allow you to reach Racine with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for one stop to break up the 318.4 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 87.4 miles on I 41, so consider refueling before or after this segment if needed, keeping the estimated $49 fuel cost in mind. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time or stop duration as needed.
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 159.2 miles from Park Falls, WI, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 70 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.2 miles or 3h 23m 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 20m
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 Park Falls, 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 Park Falls, WI
This is one driving day of about 318.4 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Park Falls, 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 87.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.2 miles from Park Falls, 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 87.4 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 62.7 and 307.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
62.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
139.6 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
190.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
294.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 58m 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
307.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
$49.36 one way
$98.73 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $54.13 | $108.26 |
| premium | $4.93 | $61.77 | $123.55 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $70.19 | $140.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.43 | $15.28 |
| Efficient EV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.86 | $12.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.4 | 1 | $44.58 | $20.38 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Racine, WI
Late night in Racine on Wednesday
Local time
12:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
6 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
6h 33m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 318.4 miles on major roads like I 41. The longest continuous stretch on this highway system is 87.4 miles on I 41. You'll experience a significant portion of the drive on these high-speed roads before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a steady cruising pace for most of the trip, with fewer transitions between different road types.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 62.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 318.4 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 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.5 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,545 ft
624 ft
Total Climb
222 ft
Total Descent
1,113 ft
Highest Point
1,545 ft
~45 mi in
Elevation Range
921 ft
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 Park Falls, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Madison, Waupaca and Appleton.
Madison
109.3 mi in
|
~2h 27m
|
via I 39; US 51
Waupaca
139.2 mi in
|
~2h 59m
|
via US 10; WI 66
Appleton
139.2 mi in
|
~2h 59m
|
via US 10; WI 66
About the Cities
Arriving in Racine, WI
Full guide →Founded 1699
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.
Top landmarks
- • Johnson Wax Headquarters — corporate headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin
- • Thomas P. Hardy House — historic house in Wisconsin, United States
- • Racine Harbor Lighthouse and Life Saving Station — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 318.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 miles on I 41. 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 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.5 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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