Origin
Saint Croix Falls, WI
Afternoon in Saint Croix Falls on Saturday
Local time
1:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Croix Falls, WI to Racine, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 4m
Distance
361.3 mi
581 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 53m
★
6 AM
7h 4m
8 AM
7h 27m
10 AM
7h 12m
12 PM
7h 10m
3 PM
7h 13m
5 PM
7h 26m
8 PM
6h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Croix Falls, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Racine, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Saint Croix Falls, WI to Racine, WI covers 361.3 miles and takes about 7h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, US 53, North-South Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 232 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.49 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
180.7 miles from Saint Croix Falls, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 232 mi | 4h 9m |
| US 53 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| North-South Freeway | 11.9 mi | 13m |
| West 130th Avenue | 11.9 mi | 16m |
| 14th Avenue | 9 mi | 12m |
| Northwestern Avenue | 9 mi | 15m |
| US 8 | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| 13 1/2 Avenue | 6.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 232 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Croix Falls, WI and Racine, WI.
1
Start on East Kentucky Street
288 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Kentucky Street
2
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
South Roosevelt Street
3
Turn left onto East State Street
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
East State Street
4
Continue on South Vincent Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Vincent Street
5
Turn left onto WI 35
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
WI 35
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto US 8; WI 35
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 8
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 8; WI 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 130th Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto US 8; WI 35
137 ft
·
7 sec
·
West 130th Avenue
9
Continue on US 8; WI 35
11 mi
·
15 min
·
West 130th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Enter roundabout onto US 8
127 ft
·
7 sec
·
East 130th Avenue
11
Continue on US 8
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East 130th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 8
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 8
Use the straight lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto US 8; US 63
134 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 8; US 63
14
Continue on US 8; US 63
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 8; US 63
15
Enter roundabout onto US 8
120 ft
·
6 sec
·
14th Avenue
16
Continue on US 8
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
14th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on US 8
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 8
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
13 1/2 Avenue
19
Continue on US 8
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Division Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 8
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
13 1/2 Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
22
Merge onto US 53
50 mi
·
55 min
·
US 53
23
Turn straight onto US 53
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 53
Toward US 53 South: Brackett
24
Enter roundabout onto US 53
378 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 53
25
Continue on US 53
441 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 53
26
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
27
Merge onto I 94
168 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 94
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
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.
31
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
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
33
Merge onto I 41; I 894; US 41; US 45
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Zoo Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto I 41; I 43; I 894; US 41
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
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 straight / slight right lanes.
36
Merge onto I 41; I 94; US 41
12 mi
·
13 min
·
North-South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 329
Toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn left onto CTH K
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
39
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
40
Continue on WI 38
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwestern Avenue
Use the straight lane.
41
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
91 ft
·
1 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
42
Continue on WI 38
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Northwestern Avenue
43
Enter roundabout onto WI 38
72 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Street
44
Continue on WI 38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the straight lane.
45
Turn right onto WI 32
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Main Street
46
Turn right onto WI 20; WI 32
309 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
47
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
284 ft
·
14 sec
·
Wisconsin Avenue
48
Turn left onto WI 20; WI 32
245 ft
·
8 sec
·
7th Street
49
Arrive at destination
WI 20; WI 32
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.7 miles from Saint Croix Falls, WI, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232 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 79 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.7 miles or 3h 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 5h 46m
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 Saint Croix Falls, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Croix Falls, WI
This is one driving day of about 361.3 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Saint Croix Falls, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 232 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 180.7 miles from Saint Croix Falls, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 232 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 365 decision points cluster between mile 263.4 and 350.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
263.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m in
|
I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
8
327.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 15m 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
8
328.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 16m 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...
9
337.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 29m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
8
350.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 44m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.49 one way
$112.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $62.02 | $124.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $69.53 | $139.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.77 | $159.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.4 | 1 | $37.94 | $17.34 |
| Efficient EV | 90.3 | 1 | $31.61 | $14.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.5 | 1 | $50.58 | $23.12 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Racine, WI
Afternoon in Racine on Saturday
Local time
1:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
361.3 mi in 7h 4m, mostly highway — 232 mi of that is on I 94.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 263.4 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 361.3 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 263.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 327.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Saint Croix Falls, WI to Racine, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Fond Du Lac along the way.
Fond Du Lac
327.5 mi in
|
~6h 15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 361.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Racine, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 263.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 327.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Racine, WI before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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