Origin
Sussex, WI
Late night in Sussex on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sussex, WI to Racine, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
48.6 mi
78 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sussex, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sussex, WI to Racine, WI is 48.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 11 minutes via the North-South Freeway, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive primarily on major roadways, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it within a single day without feeling rushed. Consider this route for a quick connection between two points in the same state.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North-South Freeway | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| Northwestern Avenue | 9 mi | 15m |
| East-West Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| Redford Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Airport Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Zoo Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| I 41 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Waukesha Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
North-South Freeway
— 11.9 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sussex, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on this road
199 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue
171 ft
·
12 sec
·
Elmwood Avenue
3
Turn left onto CTH VV
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
County Highway VV
4
Continue on CTH VV
368 ft
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn right onto CTH VV
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Spring Drive
6
Turn right onto CTH F
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Waukesha Avenue
7
Continue on CTH F
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Redford Boulevard
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 94 East
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 94; WI 164
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
East-West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
this road
Exit 305A
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
14
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 41; US 41
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 41; US 41
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi
·
13 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 329
Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
21
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft
·
1 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
23
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Street
25
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
27
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
28
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wisconsin Avenue
29
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft
·
8 sec
·
7th Street
30
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.3 miles from Sussex, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 255 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 37.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Turn left toward I 94 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 94 East
8
14.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
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 305A-B
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
8
15.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US...
9
24.6 mi into trip
|
~36m 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
37.8 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
$7.60 one way
$15.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.34 | $16.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.35 | $18.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.73 | $21.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.10 | $2.33 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.25 | $1.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Racine, WI
Late night in Racine on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 61% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 11.9 miles on the North-South Freeway where you can settle into a rhythm. The Northwestern Avenue and East-West Freeway also contribute to the highway character of this trip. Overall, the road personality is geared towards efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing, with a focus on getting you to your destination promptly.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.9 mi on North-South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North-South Freeway and Northwestern Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.6 miles you will encounter 25 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 6.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sussex, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Fond Du Lac, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.
Fond Du Lac
14.8 mi in
|
~22m
Cth K: Racine
37.8 mi in
|
~51m
Caledonia
37.8 mi in
|
~51m
Discover Along the Route
Interesting stops within a short detour of your drive.
Circa Celeste
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
0 mi from route
mile 48.6
Racine, WI
Street Light
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
mile 48.6
Divino Gelato
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 48.6
Racine, WI
Cuisine: ice_cream
Hours: Mo-Th 08:00-17:00; Fr-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su...
Starbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 16.2
Wauwatosa, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteMalabar Coast
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
mile 5.4
Pewaukee, WI
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
mile 43.2
Racine, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 48.6
Racine, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 27
Milwaukee, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-17:00
Visit websiteChancery - Racine
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 48.6
Racine, WI
Subway
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 32.4
Oak Creek, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 07:00-24:00
Visit websiteBravo
Restaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 10.8
Brookfield, WI
Cuisine: italian
Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su...
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 10.8
Brookfield, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteSpring Green Park
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Savanna Walk
Picnic_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 16.2
Tembo Trail
Picnic_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 16.2
Oak Grove Picnic Area
Picnic_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 16.2
Little Oak Picnic Area
Picnic_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 16.2
Maple Cove Picnic Area
Picnic_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 16.2
Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln Monument
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 48.6
Martin Luther King, Jr. statue
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 48.6
Karel Jonas statue
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 48.6
Veterans Memorial
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
mile 48.6
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 48.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11.9 miles on North-South Freeway. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Racine, WI before heading back.
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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