Trip from Dunkirk, WI to Racine, WI

Drive Time

2h 13m

Distance

84.9 mi

137 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 5m ★

6 AM

2h 14m

8 AM

2h 33m

10 AM

2h 21m

12 PM

2h 19m

3 PM

2h 21m

5 PM

2h 32m

8 PM

2h 8m

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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Dunkirk, WI

Jan van der Wolf

Racine, WI

Yan Krukau

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Dunkirk to Racine, expect a straightforward 84.9-mile journey across the Wisconsin landscape. You should budget about 2 hours and 13 minutes of drive time, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With fuel costs estimated at approximately $13, it is an affordable way to navigate between these two Midwest locations. Because the route is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The trip flows through the heart of the state, offering a practical connection that is easy to manage in one go.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

42.5 miles from Dunkirk, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive offers a mixed-road profile, transitioning between various thoroughfares to keep your journey varied. You will spend roughly 39% of your time on highways, balancing faster stretches with more localized driving. State Highway 20 serves as a primary artery, hosting the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip at 16.9 miles. As you move along the route, you will navigate a combination of County Highway N and Spring Street, which helps break up the monotony of the drive. Expect a fluctuating driving experience that requires you to pay attention as you transition from rural roads into the more structured streets leading to Racine.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

State Highway 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 24 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in near US 51.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.9 miles you will encounter 24 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 8.4 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.8 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles (WI 59 / State Highway 59): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

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

8.4 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 51

Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 39 South, I 90 East, US 51 South: Janesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, US 51 South: Jane...

11.8 mi into trip | ~18m in | US 51

Take the exit onto US 51 toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Edgerton

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

Exit 160 Toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Ed...

17.1 mi into trip | ~29m in | WI 59 / State Highway 59

Enter roundabout onto WI 59 / State Highway 59

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

17.2 mi into trip | ~29m in | WI 59 / State Highway 59

Enter roundabout onto WI 59 / State Highway 59

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

30.6 mi into trip | ~48m in | US 12; WI 89 / Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway

Turn right onto US 12; WI 89 / Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
State Highway 20	16.9 mi	24m
County Highway N	10.6 mi	14m
Spring Street	8.7 mi	15m
Washington Avenue	7.6 mi	10m
Iron Brigade Memorial Highway	7.4 mi	10m
US 51	6.4 mi	9m
US Highway 51	5.5 mi	7m
State Highway 59	4 mi	6m

Longest stretch: State Highway 20 — 16.9 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on CTH N

1.8 mi · 4 min · County Road N

Continue on CTH N

0.9 mi · 1 min · Veterans Road

Turn right onto US 51

5.5 mi · 7 min · US Highway 51

Take the ramp onto US 51

0.1 mi · 19 sec · US 51

Keep slight right at fork onto US 51

3.5 mi · 3 min · US 51

Toward I 39 South, I 90 East, US 51 South: Janesville

Take the exit onto US 51

0.3 mi · 43 sec · US 51

Exit 160 Toward US 51, WI 73, WI 106, I 39 Alternate: Edgerton

Continue on US 51

2.5 mi · 5 min · US 51

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Jenson Street

332 ft · 16 sec · Jenson Street

Turn right onto York Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · York Road

Turn left onto WI 59

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Fulton Street

Continue on WI 59

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 59

Enter roundabout onto WI 59

137 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 59

Continue on WI 59

0.1 mi · 13 sec · State Highway 59

Enter roundabout onto WI 59

115 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 59

Continue on WI 59

425 ft · 8 sec · State Highway 59

Enter roundabout onto WI 59

108 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 59

Continue on WI 59

2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 59

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto CTH N

11 mi · 14 min · County Highway N

Continue on CTH N

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East County Road N

Continue on CTH S

0.1 mi · 18 sec · East County Road N

Turn right onto US 12; WI 89

3.8 mi · 5 min · Stephen Ambrose Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 12

7.4 mi · 10 min · Iron Brigade Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto WI 20

1.6 mi · 2 min · State Highway 20

Continue on WI 20

5.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 20

Continue on WI 20

2.7 mi · 5 min · North Street

Continue on WI 20

4.1 mi · 5 min · State Highway 20

Continue on WI 20

3.9 mi · 5 min · High Drive

Continue on WI 20; WI 83

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Turn right onto WI 20; WI 83

0.3 mi · 1 min · South 1st Street

Continue on WI 20; WI 83

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Beck Drive

Continue on WI 20

5.4 mi · 8 min · State Highway 20

Enter roundabout onto WI 20

115 ft · 7 sec · Washington Avenue

Continue on WI 20

2.1 mi · 2 min · Washington Avenue

Enter roundabout onto US 45; WI 20

130 ft · 2 sec · Washington Avenue

Continue on US 45; WI 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Avenue

Enter roundabout onto WI 20

93 ft · 5 sec · Washington Avenue

Continue on WI 20

4.5 mi · 6 min · Washington Avenue

Enter roundabout onto CTH C

256 ft · 13 sec · Spring Street

Continue on CTH C

8.7 mi · 15 min · Spring Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

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

Since this is a manageable 2-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You can comfortably complete the entire 84.9-mile distance without needing to build in scheduled stops, though taking a break remains an option if you prefer to stretch your legs. Be mindful that because the route relies on a mix of state and county highways, your pace may shift frequently; keep an eye on your speed when transitioning onto Spring Street. Since the total fuel cost is quite low at $13, you can easily account for your round-trip budget before you even pull out of the driveway. Checking your tire pressure before leaving Dunkirk is a smart way to ensure your vehicle handles the varied road conditions efficiently.

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.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 42.5 miles from Dunkirk, WI, or about 1h 5m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.9 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 80 miles or 2h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.5 miles or 1h 5m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 51m

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 Dunkirk, 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 Dunkirk, WI

This is one driving day of about 84.9 miles and 2h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dunkirk, WI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on State Highway 20 for about 16.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.5 mi from Dunkirk, WI · 1h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

42 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

Waukegan, 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 42.5 miles from Dunkirk, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$12.90 one way

$25.79 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$14.22	$28.43
premium	$4.80	$16.03	$32.05
diesel	$5.64	$18.86	$37.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.5	$8.91	$4.08
Efficient EV	21.2	$7.43	$3.40
EV Truck/SUV	34	$11.89	$5.43

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Dunkirk, WI

Evening in Dunkirk on Sunday

Local time

5:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Racine, WI

Evening in Racine on Sunday

Local time

5:33 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

2h 13m 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 Dunkirk, WI to Racine, WI covers 84.9 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are State Highway 20, County Highway N, Spring Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 42.5 miles from Dunkirk, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

The route from Dunkirk, WI to Racine, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Racine, WI to Dunkirk, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

80.1 mi 2h 14m

Explore more options from Dunkirk, WI or browse trips ending in Racine, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.

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Trip from Dunkirk, WI to Racine, WI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Racine, WI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dunkirk, WI

Racine, WI

Same local time

Very similar conditions

2h 13m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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