Trip from Racine, WI to Newark, WI

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

84.9 mi

137 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 54m ★

6 AM

2h 2m

8 AM

2h 20m

10 AM

2h 9m

12 PM

2h 7m

3 PM

2h 10m

5 PM

2h 19m

8 PM

1h 57m

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 84.9 miles across the Wisconsin Midwest, this trip from Racine to Newark is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 2 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it works perfectly as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since this route remains entirely within the state of Wisconsin, you will stay in the familiar Midwest region throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that allows you to reach your destination efficiently without the need for any planned stops along the way.

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

42.4 miles from Racine, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

This mixed drive offers a varied experience behind the wheel, balancing highway speed with local road navigation. You will spend about 47% of your time on highways, transitioning between I-43, Spring Street, and State Highway 11. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 26.3-mile segment on I-43, which provides a steady rhythm before you transition to other road types. As you move away from the interstate portions, the road character shifts, requiring you to adjust to the different flow of state and local highways. Expect a balance of faster-paced travel and more deliberate driving as you navigate the full 84.9-mile distance.

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

There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 43 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.3 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 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near WI 38 / State Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.4 miles (WI 38 / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (CTH A / Plank Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.3 miles (South Pine Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | WI 38 / State Street

Turn left onto WI 38 / State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

18.7 mi into trip | ~31m in | CTH A / Plank Road

Enter roundabout onto CTH A / Plank Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

28.3 mi into trip | ~45m in | South Pine Street

At end of road, turn right onto South Pine Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

40.9 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | I 43

Merge onto I 43

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

67.2 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the exit toward CTH X: Hart Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 2 Toward CTH X: Hart Road

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 43	26.3 mi	28m
Spring Street	8.7 mi	15m
State Highway 11	8.6 mi	12m
Washington Avenue	7.6 mi	10m
Plank Road	6.9 mi	9m
State Highway 81	5.3 mi	7m
East Liberty Avenue	4.6 mi	6m
East Hart Road	2.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 43 — 26.3 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on WI 20; WI 32

69 ft · 10 sec · 7th Street

Turn left onto WI 32

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto WI 38

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Street

Use the straight lane.

Enter roundabout onto Spring Street

175 ft · 10 sec · Spring Street

Continue on Spring Street

8.7 mi · 15 min · Spring Street

Use the left / none lanes.

Enter roundabout onto WI 20

10 ft · 0 sec · Washington Avenue

Continue on WI 20

4.5 mi · 6 min · Washington Avenue

Enter roundabout onto US 45; WI 20

91 ft · 5 sec · Washington Avenue

Continue on US 45; WI 20

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Avenue

Enter roundabout onto WI 20

114 ft · 2 sec · Washington Avenue

Continue on WI 20

2.1 mi · 2 min · Washington Avenue

Enter roundabout onto CTH BD

219 ft · 12 sec · CTH BD

Continue on CTH BD

1.0 mi · 1 min · CTH BD

Enter roundabout onto CTH A

27 ft · 0 sec · Plank Road

Continue on CTH A

6.9 mi · 9 min · Plank Road

Turn left onto CTH W

2.1 mi · 3 min · Browns Lake Drive

Turn right onto Durand Avenue

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Durand Avenue

Continue on East State Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · East State Street

Continue on Adams Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Adams Street

Use the left / none lanes.

At end of road, turn right onto South Pine Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Pine Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on West Chestnut Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Chestnut Street

Continue on CTH JS

1.3 mi · 2 min · CTH JS

Turn right onto WI 11

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Burlington Bypass

Continue on WI 11

8.6 mi · 12 min · State Highway 11

Turn left

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Merge onto I 43

26 mi · 28 min · I 43

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 2 Toward CTH X: Hart Road

Keep slight right at fork

270 ft · 6 sec

Turn straight onto East Hart Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · East Hart Road

At end of road, turn left onto CTH S

2.2 mi · 3 min · Shopiere Road

Continue on Henry Avenue

1.2 mi · 3 min · Henry Avenue

Continue on Maple Avenue

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Maple Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto 6th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 6th Street

Turn right onto WI 81; WI 213

4.6 mi · 6 min · East Liberty Avenue

Continue on WI 81

5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 81

Turn right onto CTH K

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Road K

Arrive at destination

CTH K

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak traffic patterns. Since there are no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the drive in one go if you prefer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $13 estimated cost is based on standard consumption and can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Because you are navigating a mix of I-43 and State Highway 11, stay alert for transitions between high-speed interstate driving and the slower, more variable pace of state highways. Use this flexibility to plan your arrival around your specific schedule rather than worrying about mid-route fatigue.

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 42.4 miles from Racine, WI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.3 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 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.4 miles or 1h 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 1h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newark, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Racine, 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 Racine, WI

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

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Racine, 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 I 43 for about 26.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.4 mi from Racine, WI · 1h 6m 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

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Elgin, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.4 miles from Racine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Newark, WI

The final approach into Newark, 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 Newark, 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

Racine, WI

Afternoon in Racine on Sunday

Local time

3:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Newark, WI

Afternoon in Newark on Sunday

Local time

3:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°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

7 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

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

The main roads are I 43, Spring Street, State Highway 11. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 42.4 miles from Racine, 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 Racine, WI to Newark, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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