Spanning 84.9 miles across the Wisconsin Midwest, this trip from Racine to Newark is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 2 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it works perfectly as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since this route remains entirely within the state of Wisconsin, you will stay in the familiar Midwest region throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that allows you to reach your destination efficiently without the need for any planned stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Racine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 43
26.3 mi
28m
Spring Street
8.7 mi
15m
State Highway 11
8.6 mi
12m
Washington Avenue
7.6 mi
10m
Plank Road
6.9 mi
9m
State Highway 81
5.3 mi
7m
East Liberty Avenue
4.6 mi
6m
East Hart Road
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 43
— 26.3 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Racine, WI and Newark, WI.
1
Start on WI 20; WI 32
69 ft·10 sec·7th Street
2
Turn left onto WI 32
0.4 mi·49 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto Spring Street
175 ft·10 sec·Spring Street
5
Continue on Spring Street
8.7 mi·15 min·Spring Street
Use the left lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto WI 20
10 ft·0 sec·Washington Avenue
7
Continue on WI 20
4.5 mi·6 min·Washington Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto US 45; WI 20
91 ft·5 sec·Washington Avenue
9
Continue on US 45; WI 20
1.0 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue
10
Enter roundabout onto WI 20
114 ft·2 sec·Washington Avenue
11
Continue on WI 20
2.1 mi·2 min·Washington Avenue
12
Enter roundabout onto CTH BD
219 ft·12 sec·CTH BD
13
Continue on CTH BD
1.0 mi·1 min·CTH BD
14
Enter roundabout onto CTH A
27 ft·0 sec·Plank Road
15
Continue on CTH A
6.9 mi·9 min·Plank Road
16
Turn left onto CTH W
2.1 mi·3 min·Browns Lake Drive
17
Turn right onto Durand Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Durand Avenue
18
Continue on East State Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·East State Street
19
Continue on Adams Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Adams Street
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn right onto South Pine Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Pine Street
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on West Chestnut Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Chestnut Street
22
Continue on CTH JS
1.3 mi·2 min·CTH JS
23
Turn right onto WI 11
0.5 mi·43 sec·Burlington Bypass
24
Continue on WI 11
8.6 mi·12 min·State Highway 11
25
Turn left
0.2 mi·29 sec
26
Merge onto I 43
26 mi·28 min·I 43
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 2Toward CTH X: Hart Road
28
Keep slight right at fork
270 ft·6 sec
29
Turn straight onto East Hart Road
2.2 mi·3 min·East Hart Road
30
At end of road, turn left onto CTH S
2.2 mi·3 min·Shopiere Road
31
Continue on Henry Avenue
1.2 mi·3 min·Henry Avenue
32
Continue on Maple Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Maple Avenue
33
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·6th Street
34
Turn right onto WI 81; WI 213
4.6 mi·6 min·East Liberty Avenue
35
Continue on WI 81
5.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 81
36
Turn right onto CTH K
1.0 mi·1 min·County Road K
37
Arrive at destination
CTH K
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak traffic patterns. Since there are no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the drive in one go if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $13 estimated cost is based on standard consumption and can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Because you are navigating a mix of I-43 and State Highway 11, stay alert for transitions between high-speed interstate driving and the slower, more variable pace of state highways. Use this flexibility to plan your arrival around your specific schedule rather than worrying about mid-route fatigue.
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 42.4 miles from Racine, WI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.3 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 19 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 1h 6m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, 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 84.9 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Racine, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 43 for about 26.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 67.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|WI 38 / State Street
Turn left onto WI 38 / State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
18.7 mi into trip|~31m in|CTH A / Plank Road
Enter roundabout onto CTH A / Plank Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
28.3 mi into trip|~45m in|South Pine Street
At end of road, turn right onto South Pine Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
40.9 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 43
Merge onto I 43
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward CTH X: Hart Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 2
Toward CTH X: Hart Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.27 one way
$26.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.57
$29.15
premium
$4.89
$16.34
$32.68
diesel
$5.61
$18.74
$37.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.5
0
$8.91
$4.08
Efficient EV
21.2
0
$7.43
$3.40
EV Truck/SUV
34
0
$11.89
$5.43
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Racine, WI
Late night
in Racine on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newark, WI
Late night
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Burlington, WI
42 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
3 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
2h 2m 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 mixed drive offers a varied experience behind the wheel, balancing highway speed with local road navigation. You will spend about 47% of your time on highways, transitioning between I-43, Spring Street, and State Highway 11. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 26.3-mile segment on I-43, which provides a steady rhythm before you transition to other road types. As you move away from the interstate portions, the road character shifts, requiring you to adjust to the different flow of state and local highways. Expect a balance of faster-paced travel and more deliberate driving as you navigate the full 84.9-mile distance.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.3 mi on I 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near WI 38 / State Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.4 miles (WI 38 / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (CTH A / Plank Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.3 miles (South Pine Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,035 ft624 ft
Total Climb
504 ft
Total Descent
308 ft
Highest Point
1,035 ft
~42.4 mi in
Elevation Range
411 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 84.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.3 miles on I 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WI 38 / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (CTH A / Plank Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.3 miles (South Pine Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Newark, WI before heading back.
