How far is Balsam Lake, WI from Racine, WI?
The driving distance from Balsam Lake, WI to Racine, WI is about 355.2 miles (571.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 298.6 miles (480.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 41m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Richland County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Balsam Lake and Racine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balsam Lake and Racine.
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1
Start on Courthouse Avenue
124 m · 20 sec · Courthouse Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
2548 ft · 51 sec · West Main Street
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3
Continue on 140th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · 140th Street
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 130th Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · East 130th Avenue
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East 130th Avenue
39 m · 7 sec · East 130th Avenue
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East 130th Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · East 130th Avenue
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7
Continue straight
8.1 mi · 12 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
41 m · 8 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
2780 ft · 1 min
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 14th Avenue
37 m · 7 sec · 14th Avenue
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11
Exit the rotary onto 14th Avenue
9 mi · 13 min · 14th Avenue
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12
Continue on 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · 13 1/2 - 14th Avenue
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13
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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14
Continue on West Division Avenue
2 mi · 5 min · West Division Avenue
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15
Continue on 13 1/2 Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · 13 1/2 Avenue
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16
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight right
50.3 mi · 56 min
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18
Turn straight onto US 53 South: Brackett
1257 ft · 21 sec
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward the route
115 m · 6 sec
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20
Exit the roundabout
135 m · 9 sec
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21
Take the ramp right
2643 ft · 1 min
-
22
Merge slight left
167.8 mi · 3 hr
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
64.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1991 ft · 38 sec
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26
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1477 ft · 30 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
1177 ft · 29 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway
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29
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
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30
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
1.3 mi · 2 min
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31
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
11.9 mi · 14 min · North-South Freeway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
1682 ft · 31 sec
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33
Turn left onto Northwestern Avenue
5.1 mi · 10 min · Northwestern Avenue
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34
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Northwestern Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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35
Exit the roundabout onto Northwestern Avenue
3.4 mi · 6 min · Northwestern Avenue
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36
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwestern Avenue
28 m · 2 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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37
Exit the roundabout onto Northwestern Avenue
2024 ft · 35 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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38
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Street
22 m · 4 sec · State Street
-
39
Exit the roundabout onto State Street
1.6 km · 2 min · State Street
-
40
Turn right onto Main Street
1759 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
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41
Turn right onto 6th Street
94 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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42
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
87 m · 14 sec · Wisconsin Avenue
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43
Turn left onto 7th Street
75 m · 8 sec · 7th Street
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44
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Balsam Lake and Racine.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 53 South
Merge slight left
168 mi · 03h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Balsam Lake and Partly Sunny near Racine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Balsam Lake to Racine?
The road trip is about 355.2 miles (571.7 km) and usually takes 05h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lone Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 177.5 miles from Balsam Lake and 177.8 miles from Racine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 298.6 miles (480.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.25 one way or $94.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 111.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Balsam Lake and Partly Sunny near Racine.
Stop Ideas Near Lone Rock
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lone Rock.
Tomah
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Westfield, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Balsam Lake and Racine. Straight-line distance: 298.62 mi (480.59 km).
#1 Balsam Lake
Civil town in Polk County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,419 |
| Coordinates | 45.4521800, -92.4546400 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Racine
The second most populous city in Racine County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 76,237 |
| Coordinates | 42.7261300, -87.7828500 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: 7th Street (-87.782849, 42.725989)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 572 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $47.25 | $94.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $53.29 | $106.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $58.31 | $116.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $66.46 | $132.92 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Wisconsin · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.