Racine, WI to Ladysmith, WI is 314.7 miles and takes about 6h 25m via I 94, East-West Freeway, and I 90, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll be covering a significant distance on interstates, making it a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
157.3 miles from Racine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
87.6 mi
1h 34m
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi
1h 9m
I 90
63.5 mi
1h 8m
State Highway 27
55.2 mi
1h 21m
Douglas Avenue
8.3 mi
13m
County Highway R
6.8 mi
11m
I 41
5.9 mi
8m
Airport Freeway
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 87.6 mi, about 1h 34m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,873 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,397
Quietest
2 AM
~159 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Racine, WI and Ladysmith, 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 right at fork onto I 94
29 mi·31 min·I 94
Exit 240Toward I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau ClaireUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
59 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Eau Claire, Saint PaulUse the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 88Toward US 10, CTH R: Osseo, Augusta
23
Keep slight right at fork
197 ft·5 sec
24
Merge onto US 10
0.6 mi·1 min·10th Street
25
Continue on US 10
0.8 mi·1 min·US Highway 10
26
Turn left onto CTH R
0.5 mi·53 sec·County Road R
27
Continue on CTH R
6.8 mi·11 min·County Highway R
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 12; WI 27
1.2 mi·2 min·US 12; WI 27
29
Turn left onto WI 27
35 mi·51 min·State Highway 27
30
Continue on WI 27
0.6 mi·50 sec·South 3rd Street
31
Turn right onto WI 27; WI 64
0.9 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
32
Continue on WI 27; WI 64
21 mi·30 min·State Highway 27
33
Continue on WI 27
1.1 mi·1 min·West 9th Street South
34
Turn right onto Miner Avenue West
0.3 mi·1 min·Miner Avenue West
35
Turn right
443 ft·33 sec
36
Turn right
36 ft·2 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 25-minute drive, leaving Racine in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Ladysmith with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a significant portion on the highway, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 87.6-mile stretch on I 94; planning your fill-up before you hit that longer segment can save you time. The estimated fuel cost of $56 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price variations.
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 157.3 miles from Racine, WI, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.6 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 69 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.3 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ladysmith, 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 314.7 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 I 94 for about 87.6 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 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
$52.32 one way
$104.64 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$56.99
$113.99
premium
$5.18
$64.22
$128.43
diesel
$5.35
$66.29
$132.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.4
1
$33.04
$15.11
Efficient EV
78.7
0
$27.54
$12.59
EV Truck/SUV
125.9
1
$44.06
$20.14
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Racine, WI
Afternoon
in Racine on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Isolated Rain Showers
N 5 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Ladysmith, WI
Afternoon
in Ladysmith on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
6h 25m 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 151.9
Park Closure: Devil’s Lake Segment — Balanced Rock Trail Closed May 4–8
Park Closure: Lodi Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 91% of the route utilizing interstate travel. You'll encounter 87.6 miles on I 94 as the longest continuous stretch before needing to navigate other main roads like the East-West Freeway and I 90. This means you'll experience mostly uninterrupted cruising for the majority of your trip. The transition from high-speed interstate to surface roads will happen later in the drive.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 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 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 314.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,143 ft624 ft
Total Climb
838 ft
Total Descent
320 ft
Highest Point
1,143 ft
~314.7 mi in
Elevation Range
519 ft
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 Ladysmith, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Saint Paul, Cth R: Osseo and Augusta.
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
Ladysmith is the largest city in Rusk County, Wisconsin. With a 2020 population of roughly 3200, it is also the county seat of Rusk County. Ladysmith is the only city on the main fork of the Flambeau River and there are several parks along the river as it bends through the city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 314.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Ladysmith, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ladysmith, WI before the return drive.
