Prescott, WI to Racine, WI is 351.3 miles and takes about 6h 37m via I 94, I 90, and North-South Freeway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. For the most part, you'll be on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points with minimal navigational complexity.
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
175.7 miles from Prescott, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
239.3 mi
4h 17m
I 90
61.2 mi
1h 5m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
County Road F
6.9 mi
9m
County Highway F
5.9 mi
8m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
Zoo Freeway
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 239.3 mi, about 4h 17m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 264 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,477 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,083
Quietest
2 AM
~172 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.4×
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 Prescott, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
344 ft·7 sec·Broad Street
2
Continue on US 10; WI 35
1.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 10
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto WI 29; WI 35; CTH F
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 29
4
Turn left onto CTH F
6.9 mi·9 min·County Road F
5
Continue on CTH F
5.9 mi·8 min·County Highway F
6
Continue on CTH F
1.3 mi·2 min·Carmichael Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward Eau Claire, MadisonUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 94; US 12; WI 35
175 mi·3 hr 7 min·I 94; US 12; WI 35
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on I 90; I 94
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
15
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi·5 min·Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
22
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
24
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
26
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
28
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
29
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
30
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
31
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 37m drive, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Milwaukee area. With a total distance of 351.3 miles, you can comfortably complete this in one day. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 239.3 miles on I 94, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be more spread out on the interstate sections, and your estimated fuel cost is around $54.
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 175.7 miles from Prescott, WI, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.3 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 77 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.7 miles or 3h 15m 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 19m
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 Prescott, 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 Prescott, WI
This is one driving day of about 351.3 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Prescott, 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 239.3 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 253.4 and 340.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
253.4 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
317.6 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
318.2 mi into trip|~5h 49m 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
327.3 mi into trip|~6h 2m 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
340.5 mi into trip|~6h 18m 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
$58.60 one way
$117.20 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$63.94
$127.88
premium
$5.25
$72.65
$145.31
diesel
$6.28
$86.80
$173.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
EV Charging Along Route
37 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Altoona, WI - Tesla Supercharger
Altoona, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
Black River Falls, WI - Commerce Dr - Tesla Supercharger
Black River Falls, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
Culver's - Tesla Supercharger
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
Lake Delton, WI - Tesla Supercharger
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Tesla
12 DCFC
Lake Delton, WI Rechargery Relay - Gasser Rd
Lake Delton, WI
IONNA
10 DCFC
Menomonie, WI - Tesla Supercharger
Menomonie, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Tomah, WI - Tesla Supercharger
Tomah, WI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hastings, MN Rechargery Relay @ Circle K - Pt. Douglas Dr
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.4
1
$36.89
$16.86
Efficient EV
87.8
1
$30.74
$14.05
EV Truck/SUV
140.5
1
$49.18
$22.48
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Forecast as of Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Prescott, WI
Late night
in Prescott on Thursday
Local time
4:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Late night
in Racine on Thursday
Local time
4:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Patchy Fog
NW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Guilford, IL
176 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
2 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 37m 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
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 193.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the 351.3 miles on major freeways like I 94 and I 90. You'll experience a long stretch of 239.3 miles on I 94 before transitioning to other highways. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits and entrances along the freeway segments. The final portion will likely involve navigating more surface streets as you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 253.4 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 24 significant decision points across 351.3 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 253.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 317.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 318.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,126 ft624 ft
Total Climb
842 ft
Total Descent
930 ft
Highest Point
1,126 ft
~143.4 mi in
Elevation Range
502 ft
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 Prescott, WI to Racine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
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 6h 37m. Total distance: 351.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.3 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 253.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 317.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 318.2 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 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.
