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Trip from Racine, WI to Wausau, WI

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

Drive Time

4h 17m

Distance

212.7 mi

342 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
4h 4m ★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 26m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m

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

city in and county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States

Wausau, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 212.7-mile drive from Racine, Wisconsin to Wausau, Wisconsin is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 17 minutes on the road, covering a significant portion on interstates with 91% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest journey is around $33. It's a practical route, primarily utilizing I-41, US-10, and I-39, making it a no-fuss option for getting from point A to point B within Wisconsin. The single recommended stop suggests a smooth, uninterrupted travel experience.

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

106.3 miles from Racine, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 41 87.9 mi 1h 39m
US Highway 10 46.6 mi 54m
I 39 23.3 mi 25m
US 45 15.2 mi 17m
Douglas Avenue 8.3 mi 13m
US 10 6.6 mi 7m
Airport Freeway 4.6 mi 6m
North-South Freeway 4.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 41 — 87.9 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

25 mi · 30 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

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 41; US 41
Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton Use the slight left lane.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 58 sec
Toward US 45 North: New London Use the slight left lane.
17

Merge onto US 45

15 mi · 17 min · US 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

47 mi · 54 min · US Highway 10
Toward US 10 West: Stevens Point
19

Continue on US 10

1.3 mi · 2 min · Main Street
20

Take the exit onto US 10

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 10
Toward I 39 North, US 51 North, US 10 West
21

Continue on I 39; US 51

23 mi · 25 min · I 39; US 51
22

Merge onto US 51; WI 29

3.9 mi · 4 min · US 51; WI 29
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward WI 52: Stewart Avenue
24

Keep slight right at fork

305 ft · 8 sec
25

Turn straight onto WI 52

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Highway 52 Parkway
26

Continue on WI 52

0.9 mi · 2 min · Stewart Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Continue on WI 52; US 51 Business

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Slough Bridge
Use the straight lane.
28

Keep slight left at fork onto Slough Bridge

167 ft · 13 sec · Slough Bridge
29

Turn left onto North 1st Street

302 ft · 12 sec · North 1st Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
30

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

161 ft · 9 sec · Jefferson Street
31

Turn right

72 ft · 10 sec
32

Turn left

59 ft · 6 sec
33

Turn right

223 ft · 18 sec
34

At end of road, turn right onto Washington Street

165 ft · 7 sec · Washington Street
35

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour, 17-minute duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart Racine in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed arrival in Wausau. With only one recommended stop and a $33 fuel estimate, you can plan your stops strategically, perhaps for a mid-drive break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 87.9-mile stretch on I-41, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient refueling point. This route's highway focus means you can maintain a steady pace, but always be aware of changing traffic conditions as you approach larger towns.

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 106.3 miles from Racine, WI, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.9 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 47 miles or 1h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.3 miles or 2h 10m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wausau, 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 212.7 miles and 4h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 41 for about 87.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

civil town in Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Black Wolf, WI

106 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

Menomonee Falls, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Black Wolf, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.3 miles from Racine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.9 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 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 20 and 112.6 — 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
50.8 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | I 41; US 41

Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 41 North: Fond du Lac, Appleton
7
112.4 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 45: New London, Algoma Boulevard
7
112.6 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 45 North: New London

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 45 North: New London

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.25 one way

$66.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.51 $73.02
premium $4.89 $40.93 $81.86
diesel $5.61 $46.96 $93.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.8 0 $22.33 $10.21
Efficient EV 53.2 0 $18.61 $8.51
EV Truck/SUV 85.1 1 $29.78 $13.61

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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 16, 2026

Origin

Racine, WI

Night in Racine on Saturday

Local time

9:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

N 5 to 10 mph 15% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:12PM CDT until April 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:12PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Destination

Wausau, WI

Night in Wausau on Saturday

Local time

9:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°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

7 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

4h 17m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-41, US-10, and I-39. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 87.9 miles on I-41, indicating long periods of consistent, high-speed travel. This profile suggests a route that prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways. While not explicitly detailed as monotonous, the highway-focused nature means you'll likely be on well-maintained, multi-lane roads for most of your journey, with the road character remaining largely consistent throughout the 4-hour-plus drive.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.9 mi on I 41.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and US Highway 10. 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

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 212.7 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 50.8 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Wausau, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac and Appleton.

Fond Du Lac

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

Appleton

50.8 mi in | ~1h 11m | via I 41; US 41

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 212.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 87.9 miles on I 41. 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 Wausau, 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 50.8 miles (I 41; US 41): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Wausau, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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