Trip from Dodgeville, WI to Racine, WI

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

151.2 mi

243 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 54m ★

6 AM

3h 5m

8 AM

3h 28m

10 AM

3h 13m

12 PM

3h 11m

3 PM

3h 15m

5 PM

3h 27m

8 PM

2h 58m

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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Racine, WI

Yan Krukau

Trip Overview

Spanning 151.2 miles across Wisconsin, this trip from Dodgeville to Racine is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes. Since the drive is well-suited for a single day of travel, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $23 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a cross-state trek. You will primarily utilize US 18, I-94, and the North-South Freeway to navigate between the two regions. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a efficient connection through the heart of the Midwest.

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

75.6 miles from Dodgeville, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.3 miles on I-94. While the route begins with local connections, the character of the drive quickly shifts toward high-speed transit as you merge onto the larger freeways. It is a functional and direct path that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. Expect a consistent driving experience that allows you to cover the distance with minimal navigation hurdles.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 151.2 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 49.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

49.7 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 267B Toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wiscon...

117.5 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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

118.1 mi into trip | ~2h 17m 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...

127.2 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 10B Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago

140.5 mi into trip | ~2h 45m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Dodgeville, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Wisconsin Dells, Fond Du Lac, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.

Wisconsin Dells

49.7 mi in | ~1h 2m

Fond Du Lac

117.5 mi in | ~2h 16m

Cth K: Racine

140.5 mi in | ~2h 45m

Caledonia

140.5 mi in | ~2h 45m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	63.3 mi	1h 8m
US 18	38.7 mi	46m
North-South Freeway	11.9 mi	13m
Northwestern Avenue	9 mi	15m
West Beltline Highway	8.8 mi	11m
Airport Freeway	4.3 mi	5m
Zoo Freeway	4 mi	5m
I 39	3.1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 63.3 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dodgeville, WI and Racine, WI.

Start on WI 23

280 ft · 4 sec · North Iowa Street

Continue on WI 23

0.2 mi · 22 sec · State Highway 23

Continue on WI 23

0.5 mi · 48 sec · North Bequette Street

Turn right onto US 18

1.0 mi · 1 min · Dodgeville Expressway

Enter roundabout onto US 18

147 ft · 6 sec · Dodgeville Expressway

Continue on US 18

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Dodgeville Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 18

38 mi · 45 min · US 18

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 18; US 151

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 18; US 151

Toward US 12 East, US 14 East, US 18 East, US 151 North Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 12; US 14; US 18; US 151

8.8 mi · 11 min · West Beltline Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 267B Toward I 39 North, I 90 West: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 39; I 90

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 39; I 90

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 22 sec

Exit 138A Toward I 94 East: Milwaukee

Merge onto WI 30

0.2 mi · 11 sec · WI 30

Merge onto I 94

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 94

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

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

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago

Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45

4.0 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41

4.3 mi · 5 min · Airport Freeway

Use the none lane.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41

12 mi · 13 min · North-South Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Exit 329 Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto CTH K

5.1 mi · 9 min · Northwestern Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

27 ft · 0 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Continue on WI 38

3.4 mi · 5 min · Northwestern Avenue

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

91 ft · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Continue on WI 38

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Northwestern Avenue

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

72 ft · 4 sec · State Street

Continue on WI 38

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto WI 32

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32

309 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street

Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue

284 ft · 14 sec · Wisconsin Avenue

Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32

245 ft · 8 sec · 7th Street

Arrive at destination

WI 20; WI 32

Trip Plan

Planning for this 3-hour drive is simple given the flexibility of a one-day itinerary. Since you only need to account for one stop, try to time your break to coincide with your transition onto the North-South Freeway to maximize your momentum. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when entering the more congested segments of the interstate, as these areas can impact your total travel time. Because the fuel cost is estimated at $23, it is wise to fill up before leaving Dodgeville to avoid fluctuating prices along the highway corridor. Focus on maintaining a steady pace during your longest 63.3-mile stretch to ensure a comfortable and predictable arrival in Racine.

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 75.6 miles from Dodgeville, WI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.6 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 26m

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 Dodgeville, 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 Dodgeville, WI

This is one driving day of about 151.2 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dodgeville, 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 94 for about 63.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 75.6 mi from Dodgeville, WI · 1h 30m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockford, IL

76 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockford, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.6 miles from Dodgeville, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 miles.

Arriving in Racine, WI

The final approach into Racine, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Racine, WI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.97 one way

$45.93 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$25.32	$50.63
premium	$4.80	$28.54	$57.09
diesel	$5.64	$33.59	$67.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45.4	$15.88	$7.26
Efficient EV	37.8	$13.23	$6.05
EV Truck/SUV	60.5	$21.17	$9.68

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Dodgeville, WI

Afternoon in Dodgeville on Sunday

Local time

3:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Racine, WI

Afternoon in Racine on Sunday

Local time

3:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 5m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dodgeville, WI to Racine, WI covers 151.2 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, US 18, North-South Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 75.6 miles from Dodgeville, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.