Trip from Racine, WI to South Milwaukee, WI

Drive Time

26m

Distance

14.2 mi

23 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 24m ★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m

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

Downtown South Milwaukee, WI, WI

South Milwaukee, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel between Racine and South Milwaukee, WI, you are looking at a quick 14.2-mile trip that typically takes about 26 minutes. This local route stays entirely within the Midwest and is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. With a fuel budget of just $2, it is an incredibly affordable way to navigate between these two communities. You will not need to worry about overnight logistics for this short distance, as the drive is straightforward and manageable. Since the entire trip is local, you can easily complete it in under half an hour and still have plenty of time for your destination plans.

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

7.1 miles from Racine, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via Main Street, Hamilton Street, and Douglas Avenue to reach your destination. The route is defined by its constant pace through local streets, meaning there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch of road. Because you are avoiding major highways, you will experience the road as a series of connected local segments. Be prepared to stay alert for frequent turns as you transition between these specific city thoroughfares.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Racine, WI to South Milwaukee, WI is easy. At 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Racine, WI to South Milwaukee, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Main Street Unavailable Refreshing
Hamilton Street Unavailable Refreshing
Douglas Avenue Unavailable Refreshing
South Chicago Road Unavailable Refreshing
Marquette Avenue Unavailable Refreshing
10th Avenue Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Main Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 7th Street

69 ft · 11 sec · 7th Street
2

Turn left onto Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street
3

Turn left onto Hamilton Street

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Hamilton Street
4

Turn right onto Douglas Avenue

8.3 mi · 13 min · Douglas Avenue
5

Continue on South Chicago Road

4.6 mi · 9 min · South Chicago Road
6

Turn right onto Marquette Avenue

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Marquette Avenue
7

Turn left onto 10th Avenue

0.2 mi · 34 sec · 10th Avenue
8

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a brief 14.2-mile journey with zero planned stops, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily fit this trip into your schedule without needing to account for long-distance fatigue or extensive rest breaks. Keep in mind that because you are traveling on local streets, traffic patterns on Main Street or Douglas Avenue may impact your 26-minute travel estimate. Budgeting $2 for fuel is sufficient for this drive, making it a low-cost, low-stress transit option. Focus on navigating the turns carefully rather than worrying about long-haul pacing, as the simplicity of the route allows you to focus entirely on your arrival.

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 7.1 miles from Racine, WI, or about 13m into the drive.

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 14.2 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 7.1 miles or 13m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Milwaukee, 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 14.2 miles and 26m.

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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 7.1 mi from Racine, WI · 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukegan, IL

7 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 14.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukegan, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 7.1 miles from Racine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in South Milwaukee, WI

The final approach into South Milwaukee, 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 South Milwaukee, 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

$2.16 one way

$4.31 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 5 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $2.38 $4.76
premium $4.80 $2.68 $5.36
diesel $5.64 $3.15 $6.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 4.3 0 $1.49 $0.68
Efficient EV 3.6 0 $1.24 $0.57
EV Truck/SUV 5.7 0 $1.99 $0.91

Gas CO2

5 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (60% 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

Evening in Racine on Sunday

Local time

6:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Milwaukee, WI

Evening in South Milwaukee on Sunday

Local time

6:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°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

1 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

26m 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 South Milwaukee, WI covers 14.2 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street, Hamilton Street, Douglas Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.1 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 $2.16 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 drive from Racine, WI to South Milwaukee, WI is easy. At 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Racine, WI to South Milwaukee, WI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Racine, WI to South Milwaukee, WI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

South Milwaukee, WI to Racine, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

14.3 mi 26m

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