How far is Independence, WI from Racine, WI?
The driving distance from Independence, WI to Racine, WI is about 257.7 miles (414.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 214.2 miles (344.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 21m 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 04h 10m.
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.
Fourth-class city in Columbia County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Racine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Racine.
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1
Start on Railroad Street
31 m · 6 sec · Railroad Street
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2
Turn right onto 1st Street
21 m · 2 sec · 1st Street
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3
Turn right onto Washington Street
65 m · 7 sec · Washington Street
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4
Continue on Osseo Road
1931 ft · 54 sec · Osseo Road
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5
Turn right onto Whitehall Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Whitehall Road
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6
Continue on Dewey Street
4.1 mi · 7 min · Dewey Street
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street
7.2 mi · 10 min · Main Street
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8
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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9
Continue on State Highway 121
5.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 121
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10
Continue on WI 121
3149 ft · 1 min · WI 121
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11
Take the ramp right
1144 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left
140.4 mi · 2 hr 31 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Milwaukee
64.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 41, I 894, US 45: Chicago, Fond du Lac
3167 ft · 1 min
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15
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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16
Continue on I 41 South, I 894 East, US 41 South, US 45 South: Chicago
1477 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 894, US 45 South: Chicago
1177 ft · 29 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Zoo Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · Zoo Freeway
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19
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 41 South, I 94 South: Chicago
1.3 mi · 2 min
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21
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
11.9 mi · 14 min · North-South Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CTH K: Racine, Caledonia
1682 ft · 31 sec
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23
Turn left onto Northwestern Avenue
5.1 mi · 10 min · Northwestern Avenue
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Northwestern Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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25
Exit the roundabout onto Northwestern Avenue
3.4 mi · 6 min · Northwestern Avenue
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwestern Avenue
28 m · 2 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Northwestern Avenue
2024 ft · 35 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Street
22 m · 4 sec · State Street
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29
Exit the roundabout onto State Street
1.6 km · 2 min · State Street
-
30
Turn right onto Main Street
1759 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
-
31
Turn right onto 6th Street
94 m · 18 sec · 6th Street
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32
Turn left onto Wisconsin Avenue
87 m · 14 sec · Wisconsin Avenue
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33
Turn left onto 7th Street
75 m · 8 sec · 7th Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Racine.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
WI 121
Merge slight left
140 mi · 02h 31m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Independence 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 Independence to Racine?
The road trip is about 257.7 miles (414.8 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?
Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.7 miles from Independence and 129 miles from Racine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 214.2 miles (344.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 8:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.32 one way or $68.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Independence and Partly Sunny near Racine.
Stop Ideas Near Portage
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 Portage.
Portage
Wisconsin Dells
Westfield, WI
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Racine. Straight-line distance: 214.18 mi (344.69 km).
#1 Independence
City in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin United States
| Population | 1,291 |
| Coordinates | 44.3569100, -91.4204300 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| 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: 415 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.32 | $68.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.70 | $77.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.35 | $84.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.27 | $96.53 |
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.