Trip from Port Washington, WI to Racine, WI

Drive Time

1h 16m

Distance

55 mi

89 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 10m ★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Racine, WI, WI

Racine, WI

Yan Krukau

Trip Overview

Connecting Port Washington to Racine is a straightforward 55-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $8 on fuel, making this an economical choice for a quick regional commute. By primarily utilizing WI 32, the North-South Freeway, and Northwestern Avenue, you'll stay within the Midwest region for the duration of your travel. This route functions best as a direct point-to-point transit, offering a reliable path through the Wisconsin landscape without requiring complex navigation.

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

27.5 miles from Port Washington, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive leans heavily on highway travel, with 72% of your time spent on higher-speed roads. You will find yourself navigating a mix of infrastructure, including a significant 26.6-mile stretch on WI 32 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The experience is largely highway-focused, prioritizing efficiency as you transition between the two coastal Wisconsin cities. While the road personality is functional rather than leisurely, the shift between the North-South Freeway and local arterials like Northwestern Avenue keeps the pace varied. Expect a steady, predictable flow that allows you to cover the distance with minimal stop-and-go traffic.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WI 32 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WI 32 and North-South Freeway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near WI 32 / South Spring Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.5 miles (WI 32 / South Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (WI 32): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

4
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | WI 32 / South Spring Street

Turn left onto WI 32 / South Spring Street

Navigation decision point

7
4.4 mi into trip | ~6m in | WI 32

Turn left onto WI 32 toward I 43 South, WI 32, WI 57

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 43 South, WI 32, WI 57
4
31.1 mi into trip | ~41m in | I 94 / North-South Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / North-South Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
31.2 mi into trip | ~41m in | I 94 / North-South Freeway

Continue onto I 94 / North-South Freeway toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, Chicago

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 316-319 Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College...
8
44.2 mi into trip | ~56m 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 Port Washington, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East, Chicago, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.

Wis 94 East

31.2 mi in | ~41m | via I 94

Chicago

31.2 mi in | ~41m | via I 94

Cth K: Racine

44.2 mi in | ~56m

Caledonia

44.2 mi in | ~56m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
WI 32 26.6 mi 34m
North-South Freeway 13.2 mi 15m
Northwestern Avenue 9 mi 15m
South Spring Street 3.9 mi 5m
State Street 1 mi 1m
West Grand Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
6th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: WI 32 — 26.6 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Webster Street

104 ft · 9 sec · South Webster Street
2

Turn left onto WI 32

0.5 mi · 51 sec · West Grand Avenue
3

Turn left onto WI 32

3.9 mi · 5 min · South Spring Street
4

Turn left onto WI 32

27 mi · 34 min · WI 32
Toward I 43 South, WI 32, WI 57 Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North-South Freeway
6

Continue on I 94

13 mi · 15 min · North-South Freeway
Exit 316-319 Toward WIS 94 East, US 41: Layton Ave, College Ave, Chicago Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Exit 329 Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn left onto CTH K

5.1 mi · 9 min · Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

27 ft · 0 sec · Northwestern Avenue
10

Continue on WI 38

3.4 mi · 5 min · Northwestern Avenue
Use the none lane.
11

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

91 ft · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue
12

Continue on WI 38

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Northwestern Avenue
Use the none lane.
13

Enter roundabout onto WI 38

72 ft · 4 sec · State Street
14

Continue on WI 38

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Street
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn right onto WI 32

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
16

Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32

309 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street
17

Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue

284 ft · 14 sec · Wisconsin Avenue
18

Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32

245 ft · 8 sec · 7th Street
19

Arrive at destination

WI 20; WI 32

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 1-hour and 16-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak commuting hours on the North-South Freeway is always a smart move. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the short duration of the trip, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep in mind that with no planned stops provided in the data, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave; your $8 fuel budget should be plenty for a standard round trip. A concrete tip for this route is to monitor traffic patterns specifically on the highway segments, as the high concentration of freeway driving means congestion can impact your travel time more than local road conditions.

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 27.5 miles from Port Washington, WI, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 55 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 27.5 miles or 36m 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 1m

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 Port Washington, 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 Port Washington, WI

This is one driving day of about 55 miles and 1h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Port Washington, 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 WI 32 for about 26.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27.5 mi from Port Washington, WI · 36m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

28 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.5 miles from Port Washington, 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

$8.35 one way

$16.71 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $9.21 $18.42
premium $4.80 $10.38 $20.77
diesel $5.64 $12.22 $24.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$33–$58

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 16.5 0 $5.77 $2.64
Efficient EV 13.8 0 $4.81 $2.20
EV Truck/SUV 22 0 $7.70 $3.52

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (68% 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

Port Washington, WI

Evening in Port Washington on Sunday

Local time

5:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Racine, WI

Evening in Racine on Sunday

Local time

5:40 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

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 16m 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 Port Washington, WI to Racine, WI covers 55 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WI 32, North-South Freeway, Northwestern Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.5 miles from Port Washington, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.35 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (WI 32 / South Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (WI 32): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.1 miles (I 94 / North-South Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Port Washington, WI and Racine, WI, road signs point toward Wis 94 East, Chicago, Cth K: Racine and Caledonia.

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