Spanning 211.1 miles across central and eastern Wisconsin, this drive typically takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes to complete. Because the route is straightforward and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $32 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating primarily via I-39, US-10, and I-41, you will transition from the heart of the Midwest to the lakefront regions of the state. It is a highly functional connection for those looking to traverse the state quickly, keeping you firmly within the Midwest region from start to finish.
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
105.5 miles from Rib Mountain, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
87.4 mi
1h 38m
US 10
51.3 mi
1h 1m
I 39
29.8 mi
32m
US 45
12.3 mi
14m
North-South Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Northwestern Avenue
9 mi
15m
Airport Freeway
4.3 mi
5m
State Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rib Mountain, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on this road
443 ft·25 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Camelia Lane
0.1 mi·29 sec·Camelia Lane
3
Turn left onto Bellflower Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Bellflower Street
4
Turn left onto Fern Lane
0.5 mi·2 min·Fern Lane
5
Turn left onto Violet Lane
282 ft·12 sec·Violet Lane
6
Continue on State Park Road
0.3 mi·1 min·State Park Road
7
Continue on CTH N
0.2 mi·27 sec·Rib Mountain Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 51; WI 29
0.2 mi·16 sec·US 51; WI 29
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51
22 mi·24 min·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
11
Continue on I 39; US 10; US 51
7.4 mi·7 min·I 39; US 10; US 51
12
Take the exit onto US 10; WI 66
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 10; WI 66
Exit 158Toward US 10 East, WI 66 West: Stevens Point, Waupaca, Appleton
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
51 mi·1 hr·US 10
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, WaupacaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45
12 mi·14 min·US 45
Exit 276Toward US 45 South: OshkoshUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
16
Merge onto I 41; US 41
86 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Since the drive is manageable in a single session, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 4-hour and 13-minute travel time and keep your focus sharp. Because the vast majority of your route is on high-speed interstates, keep a close eye on traffic patterns during peak commuting hours to ensure your travel time remains consistent. Before you head out from Rib Mountain, ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $32 investment required to reach your destination. If you find yourself needing a rest, use the longest stretch on I-41 as your mid-point marker to identify convenient exit opportunities for a quick reset.
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 105.5 miles from Rib Mountain, WI, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 22m
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 Rib Mountain, 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 Rib Mountain, WI
This is one driving day of about 211.1 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Rib Mountain, 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 87.4 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 2.1 and 200.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.1 mi into trip|~6m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point, Madison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Stevens Point,...
8
32.3 mi into trip|~40m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East: Appleton, Waupaca
8
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 45 toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 276
Toward US 45 South: Oshkosh
9
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
200.3 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
$33.00 one way
$66.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.24
$72.47
premium
$4.89
$40.62
$81.25
diesel
$5.61
$46.61
$93.22
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: 73.9 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
63.3
0
$22.17
$10.13
Efficient EV
52.8
0
$18.47
$8.44
EV Truck/SUV
84.4
1
$29.55
$13.51
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 15, 2026
Origin
Rib Mountain, WI
Night
in Rib Mountain on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Racine, WI
Night
in Racine on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
5 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 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself cruising at steady speeds for the majority of the journey, particularly during the longest stretch of 87.4 miles on I-41. The road maintains a consistent, efficient pace, minimizing the technical challenges often found on secondary local roads. While the interstate grind provides reliability and speed, the experience is defined by its uniformity rather than winding scenery. Expect a smooth, predictable ride that prioritizes getting you to Racine as quickly as possible.
93% 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: 87.4 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 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Driving Effort10/10
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 211.1 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 2.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rib Mountain, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Waupaca, Appleton, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
Waupaca
31.9 mi in|~39m|via US 10; WI 66
Appleton
31.9 mi in|~39m|via US 10; WI 66
Cth K: Racine
200.3 mi in|~3h 54m
Caledonia
200.3 mi in|~3h 54m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 211.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 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 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 2.1 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.2 miles (US 45): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Racine, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
