Racine, WI to Dickeyville, WI is 185.8 miles and takes about 3h 47m via US 18, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
92.9 miles from Racine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 18
76.8 mi
1h 30m
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
Douglas Avenue
8.3 mi
13m
South Beltline Highway
8.2 mi
11m
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:
US 18
— 76.8 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Racine, WI and Dickeyville, 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 317Toward I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du LacUse 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 LacUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·16 sec
Exit 1B-AToward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, MilwaukeeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·56 sec
Exit 1BToward I 94 West: MadisonUse 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 left at fork onto WI 30
0.2 mi·15 sec·WI 30
Exit 240Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 240AToward I 39 South, I 90 East: JanesvilleUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 39; I 90
3.2 mi·3 min·I 39; I 90
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward US 12 West, US 18 West: Madison
23
Merge onto US 12; US 18
8.2 mi·11 min·South Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto US 18; US 151
77 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 18; US 151
Exit 258Toward US 18 West, US 151 South: DodgevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward WI 35, US 61, Great River Road, CTH HH: Dickeyville
26
Turn right onto US 61; WI 35
0.2 mi·16 sec·Great River Road
27
Continue on US 61; WI 35
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
28
Turn right onto Hill Climb Road
177 ft·6 sec·Hill Climb Road
29
Turn right onto 2nd Street
89 ft·9 sec·2nd Street
30
Turn right
69 ft·5 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 47m duration, leaving Racine in the morning allows ample time to reach Dickeyville with daylight to spare. The drive is manageable in one day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $25, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on US 18 for the longest stretch, ensuring you're fueled up before that segment if 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 92.9 miles from Racine, WI, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.8 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 41 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.9 miles or 1h 54m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dickeyville, 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 185.8 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 US 18 for about 76.8 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 20 and 95.4 — 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
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 240A
Toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.05 one way
$58.10 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.89
$63.79
premium
$4.89
$35.76
$71.51
diesel
$5.61
$41.02
$82.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.7
0
$19.51
$8.92
Efficient EV
46.5
0
$16.26
$7.43
EV Truck/SUV
74.3
0
$26.01
$11.89
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Racine, WI
Night
in Racine on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dickeyville, WI
Night
in Dickeyville on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Cottage Grove, WI
93 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely on highways, with an 86% highway share, offering a consistent pace for most of the journey. You'll experience a long uninterrupted stretch of 76.8 miles on US 18, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. The profile is described as highway-focused, suggesting you won't encounter many winding local roads or significant changes in scenery. This means less time navigating and more time covering ground efficiently.
86% 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: 76.8 mi on US 18.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 18 and East-West Freeway. 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 Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 185.8 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.
Between Racine, WI and Dickeyville, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee and Madison.
Fond Du Lac
20 mi in|~32m|via I 41; I 94; US 41
Milwaukee
30.5 mi in|~46m
Madison
95.2 mi in|~1h 57m|via WI 30
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 185.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.8 miles on US 18. 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 Dickeyville, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Dickeyville, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
