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Trip from Racine, WI to Jefferson, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

75.1 mi

121 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States

Racine, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Jefferson, WI, WI

Jefferson, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Racine, WI to Jefferson, WI is 75.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes via East-West Freeway, Douglas Avenue, and I 41, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, making it a convenient local excursion. The route is primarily highway-focused, suggesting a fairly direct and efficient journey. Given its short duration and modest fuel cost, this drive is well-suited for a same-day round trip or a relaxed one-way journey. It's a straightforward path for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.6 miles from Racine, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East-West Freeway 37 mi 40m
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
WI 26 4.1 mi 5m
West Ryan Road 4 mi 6m
South Chicago Road 1.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: East-West Freeway — 37 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Racine, WI and Jefferson, 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

27 mi · 28 min · East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 267 Toward WI 26: Watertown, Johnson Creek Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork

320 ft · 9 sec
Toward WI 26 South, I 94 Alternate: Johnson Creek, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto WI 26

4.1 mi · 5 min · WI 26
Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 30 Toward WI 26 Business: Jefferson Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork

170 ft · 4 sec
24

Turn left onto WI 26 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Highway 26 Business
25

Continue on WI 26 Business

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
26

Arrive at destination

WI 26 Business; CTH N

Trip Plan

With a drive time of just under two hours, this route offers plenty of flexibility. Consider departing Racine in the morning to maximize your time in Jefferson, or wait until after the morning rush. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a fuel and rest break around the halfway point if needed, perhaps after completing the 37-mile stretch on the East-West Freeway. Keeping your fuel budget around $12 should be manageable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The direct nature of this drive means you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.6 miles from Racine, WI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 17 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.6 miles or 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Racine, WI

This is one driving day of about 75.1 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Racine, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East-West Freeway for about 37 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greendale, WI

38 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

Greendale, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukesha, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.6 miles from Racine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.7

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21.5

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

3 mi

Lake House Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.7

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12623543109

Visit website

Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. | Bay View

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 21.5

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+14144890765

Visit website

Blüm Coffee Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21.5

Greenfield, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14142824220

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 32.2

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Valentine Coffee Roasters on Vliet Street

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 32.2

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14149888018

Visit website

Birch & Banyan Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.3

Hartland, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+12625631034

Visit website

Vendetta Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21.5

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

Visit website

Franklin Woods Nature Center Pavilion

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 16.1

Franklin, Wisconsin

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+14147452760

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 20 and 68.6 — 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
68.6 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WI 26 South, I 94 Alternate: Johnson Creek, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward WI 26 South, I 94 Alternate: Johnson Cre...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.74 one way

$23.48 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.89 $25.78
premium $4.89 $14.45 $28.90
diesel $5.61 $16.58 $33.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.5 0 $7.89 $3.60
Efficient EV 18.8 0 $6.57 $3.00
EV Truck/SUV 30 0 $10.51 $4.81

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

Morning in Racine on Sunday

Local time

11:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jefferson, WI

Morning in Jefferson on Sunday

Local time

11:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

23 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

1h 40m 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?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of the route utilizing major roadways. Expect a good portion of your time to be spent on the East-West Freeway, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 37 miles. While I 41 also contributes to the highway feel, Douglas Avenue offers a brief change of pace before rejoining faster roads. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination smoothly over exploring winding backroads. You'll likely experience a consistent driving rhythm for much of this 75.1-mile trip.

76% 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: 37 mi on East-West Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East-West Freeway and Douglas Avenue. 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 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.1 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 Jefferson, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Johnson Creek and Fort Atkinson.

Fond Du Lac

20 mi in | ~32m | via I 41; I 94; US 41

Milwaukee

30.5 mi in | ~46m

Johnson Creek

68.4 mi in | ~1h 28m

Fort Atkinson

68.6 mi in | ~1h 29m

About the Cities

Starting in Racine, WI

Full guide →

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.

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 1h 40m. Total distance: 75.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 37 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 Jefferson, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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 Jefferson, 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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