Origin
Racine, WI
Night in Racine on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Racine, WI to Baraboo, 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 53m
Distance
140.6 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Baraboo, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 140.6-mile drive from Racine to Baraboo, Wisconsin, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just under 3 hours. With 87% of the route on highways, it's a focused journey through the Midwest. Expect a fuel cost of around $22 for this excursion. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This route offers a practical way to connect two points within the same state, making it ideal for a weekend getaway or an efficient transit.
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
70.3 miles from Racine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East-West Freeway | 63.8 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 94 | 29.1 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 33 | 11.6 mi | 17m |
| Douglas Avenue | 8.3 mi | 13m |
| I 41 | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| North-South Freeway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| West Ryan Road | 4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
East-West Freeway
— 63.8 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Racine, WI and Baraboo, WI.
1
Start on WI 20; WI 32
69 ft
·
10 sec
·
7th Street
2
Turn left onto WI 32
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto WI 32
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Hamilton Street
4
Turn right onto WI 32
8.3 mi
·
13 min
·
Douglas Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on WI 32
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Chicago Road
6
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
7
Turn left onto WI 100
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West Ryan Road
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 41 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
9
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 41; I 94; US 41
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 41; US 41
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 41; I 894; US 41
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward I 94 West: Madison
17
Merge onto I 94
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
54 mi
·
57 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
22
Turn right onto WI 33
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 33
23
Continue on WI 33
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
8th Street
24
Continue on WI 33
473 ft
·
15 sec
·
8th Avenue
25
Turn left onto US 12 BUS; WI 113
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Broadway Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 12 BUS; WI 113
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 53-minute drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Leaving Racine in the morning will allow you to reach Baraboo with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $22, you can easily complete this trip without extensive planning. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 63.8-mile stretch on the East-West Freeway, to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted journey. This route is straightforward enough that you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 70.3 miles from Racine, WI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.8 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 31 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.3 miles or 1h 30m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baraboo, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Racine, 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 Racine, WI
This is one driving day of about 140.6 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Racine, 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 East-West Freeway for about 63.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.3 miles from Racine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East-West Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.8 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 20 and 95.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
20 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 41; I 94; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 94; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 317
Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Ma...
8
26.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 41; I 894; US 41
Keep slight right at fork onto I 41; I 894; US 41 toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US...
8
30.5 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
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 1B-A
Toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
8
30.6 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 1B
Toward I 94 West: Madison
9
95.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m in
|
I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wiscon...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.98 one way
$43.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.06 | $54.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.04 | $62.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.76 | $6.75 |
| Efficient EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.30 | $5.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.68 | $9.00 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Baraboo, WI
Night in Baraboo on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Farmington, WI
70 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll find this drive to be predominantly highway-focused, with 87% of the 140.6 miles on major roads like East-West Freeway and I-94. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 63.8 miles on the East-West Freeway, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While much of the drive is on high-speed roads, State Highway 33 offers a change of scenery as you approach your destination. This mix means you'll experience both efficient travel and a transition to more local thoroughfares.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.8 mi on East-West Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20 miles in near I 41; I 94; US 41.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 140.6 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 20 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Racine, WI and Baraboo, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee and Eau Claire.
Fond Du Lac
20 mi in
|
~32m
|
via I 41; I 94; US 41
Milwaukee
30.5 mi in
|
~46m
Eau Claire
95.2 mi in
|
~1h 57m
|
via I 94
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 140.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.8 miles on East-West Freeway. 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 Baraboo, 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 20 miles (I 41; I 94; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles (I 41; I 894; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Baraboo, 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.
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