Port Edwards to Racine is 203.6 miles and takes about 4 hours 4 minutes via I-39, I-94, and North-South Freeway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Wisconsin, moving between the Midwest regions. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll find it's a practical route for getting from the upper-central part of the state down to the southeastern corner.
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
101.8 miles from Port Edwards, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
80.8 mi
1h 26m
I 94
64.2 mi
1h 9m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
State Highway 73
9.3 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
Adams Avenue
7.3 mi
10m
WI 73
6.5 mi
9m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 80.8 mi, about 1h 26m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 180 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,461 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,091
Quietest
2 AM
~194 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Port Edwards, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on 5th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·5th Street
2
Turn right onto WI 54; WI 73
1.0 mi·1 min·Letendre Avenue
3
Turn left onto WI 73
2.1 mi·3 min·WI 73
4
Turn left onto WI 73
4.4 mi·6 min·WI 73
5
Turn straight onto State Highway 73
5.7 mi·8 min·State Highway 73
6
Continue on Adams Avenue
7.3 mi·10 min·Adams Avenue
7
Continue on WI 73
3.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 73
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
9
Merge onto I 39; US 51
51 mi·54 min·I 39; US 51
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39
30 mi·31 min·I 39
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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.
14
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
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
16
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
23
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
25
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
26
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
27
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
29
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
30
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
31
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
32
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving Port Edwards in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Racine before evening. With only one recommended stop and 89% of the route on the highway, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the 80.8-mile stretch on I-39, as services might be less frequent. The $28 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to check current prices. Since this is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient and take short breaks as needed.
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 101.8 miles from Port Edwards, WI, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
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 Port Edwards, 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 Port Edwards, WI
This is one driving day of about 203.6 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Port Edwards, 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 39 for about 80.8 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 105.7 and 192.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
105.7 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
169.9 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
170.5 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
179.6 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
192.8 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
$33.96 one way
$67.93 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$36.91
$73.83
premium
$5.26
$42.15
$84.31
diesel
$6.18
$49.53
$99.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.38
$9.77
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.50
$13.03
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Port Edwards, WI
Morning
in Port Edwards on Sunday
Local time
8:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 5 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:41AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Racine, WI
Morning
in Racine on Sunday
Local time
8:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
W 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:41AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
51°F
Fall River, WI
102 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
1 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
4h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 89% of the 203.6 miles on major freeways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 80.8 miles, primarily on I-39. You'll notice a high concentration of exits and merging traffic as you navigate these busy interstates. The route transitions to surface roads for the remaining 11% of the distance, likely in the more populated areas closer to your destination.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.8 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 105.7 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 26 significant decision points across 203.6 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 105.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,103 ft624 ft
Total Climb
543 ft
Total Descent
894 ft
Highest Point
1,103 ft
~87.3 mi in
Elevation Range
479 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Port Edwards, 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 203.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m 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 80.8 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 105.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.5 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Racine, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
