This 140-mile drive from Redgranite, WI to Racine, WI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes. With 89% of the journey on highways, you'll experience a focused drive covering the Midwest region. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $22, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or a straightforward commute. This route is best suited for those who prefer efficient travel on major roadways. Given the relatively short duration, you won't need an overnight stop, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
70 miles from Redgranite, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
85.8 mi
1h 36m
State Highway 21
22.2 mi
30m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
West Main Street
2.2 mi
5m
West River Drive
1 mi
1m
State Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redgranite, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on Main Street
102 ft·10 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto WI 21; CTH E
0.7 mi·1 min·Bannerman Avenue
3
Continue on WI 21
16 mi·22 min·State Highway 21
4
Continue on WI 21
1.0 mi·1 min·West River Drive
5
Continue on WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi·18 sec·Omro Road
6
Turn right
114 ft·10 sec
7
Turn right
114 ft·10 sec
8
Turn right onto North Webster Avenue
92 ft·9 sec·North Webster Avenue
9
Turn left onto WI 116; CTH F
0.1 mi·21 sec·Omro Road
10
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
0.2 mi·35 sec·Spruce State Route
11
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 116; CTH F
2.2 mi·5 min·West Main Street
12
Continue on WI 21
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 21
13
Enter roundabout onto WI 21
143 ft·8 sec·Omro Road
14
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi·14 sec·Omro Road
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I-41_South: Milwaukee
16
Merge onto I 41; US 41
84 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight lane.
17
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
Exit 10BToward I 41 South, I 94 South: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi·13 min·North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 329Toward CTH K: Racine, CaledoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi·9 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft·0 sec·Northwestern Avenue
23
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi·5 min·Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft·1 sec·Northwestern Avenue
25
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi·34 sec·Northwestern Avenue
26
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft·4 sec·State Street
27
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
29
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft·17 sec·6th Street
30
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft·14 sec·Wisconsin Avenue
31
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft·8 sec·7th Street
32
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 57-minute drive, starting your trip earlier in the day is advisable to avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Racine. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to take a break, though planning a quick refueling before you hit the longest stretch on I 41 can be a smart move. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22, and it's always better to be prepared. This is a straightforward trip where a single fill-up before departing Redgranite should suffice for the entire 140 miles.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70 miles from Redgranite, WI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 31 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Racine, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Redgranite, 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 Redgranite, WI
This is one driving day of about 140 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Redgranite, 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 85.8 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.1 and 129.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
18.1 mi into trip|~26m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
18.2 mi into trip|~26m in|North Webster Avenue
Turn right onto North Webster Avenue
Navigation decision point
9
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 41; US 41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41 toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
8
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
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.
Exit 329
Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.89 one way
$43.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.03
$48.06
premium
$4.89
$26.94
$53.88
diesel
$5.61
$30.91
$61.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42
0
$14.70
$6.72
Efficient EV
35
0
$12.25
$5.60
EV Truck/SUV
56
0
$19.60
$8.96
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 16, 2026
Origin
Redgranite, WI
Late night
in Redgranite on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Late night
in Racine on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Butler, WI
70 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 140-mile trip, with 89% of the route utilizing major freeways like I 41 and the North-South Freeway. You'll encounter an 85.8-mile stretch on I 41, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While primarily a highway experience, the incorporation of State Highway 21 suggests a potential shift in scenery and road type as you transition between major arteries. This blend means you'll spend most of your time on faster roads but might find moments of slightly more varied driving.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and State Highway 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 140 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 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (North Webster Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Redgranite, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 140 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 miles on I 41. 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 Racine, 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 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (North Webster Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Racine, WI before heading back.
