How far is Racine, WI from Madison, WI?

The driving distance from Racine, WI to Madison, WI is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.4 miles (137.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
102.78 mi
02h 13m
Flight
85.35 mi
137.35 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Racine.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
85.35 mi
Kilometers
137.35 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
102.78 mi
Kilometers
165.41 km
Drive Time
02h 13m

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 02h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 3:48 AM CDT
Return by in Racine
Thu, Apr 23, 6:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Racine
2026-04-23T01:34
Arrive Madison
Thu, Apr 23, 3:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Racine
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Delafield
WI

Fourth-class city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

From Racine
51.3 mi
01h 06m
To Madison
51.5 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Racine and Madison.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Racine and Madison.

  1. 1

    Start on 7th Street

    21 m · 11 sec · 7th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Hamilton Street

    1000 ft · 18 sec · Hamilton Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Douglas Avenue

    8.3 mi · 14 min · Douglas Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on South Chicago Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Road

  6. 6

    Turn straight

    538 ft · 23 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West Ryan Road

    4 mi · 6 min · West Ryan Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 41 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee

    2802 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway

    3.6 mi · 4 min · North-South Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 119: General Mitchell International Airport

    2201 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 41, I 43, I 94 West, I 894 Bypass

    1.4 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue on I 43 South, I 894: Madison, Fond du Lac

    911 ft · 15 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 894 North, US 41 North, US 45 North: Fond du Lac

    4.2 mi · 6 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee

    937 ft · 16 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    3267 ft · 56 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    665 ft · 11 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

    10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on I 39 South, I 90 East, WI 30 West: Janesville, Madison

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit straight toward US 151: East Washington Avenue

    1024 ft · 25 sec

  23. 23

    Turn sharp right onto East Washington Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · East Washington Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Baldwin Street

    1057 ft · 40 sec · North Baldwin Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East Gorham Street

    1.7 mi · 5 min · East Gorham Street

  26. 26

    Continue on University Avenue

    1949 ft · 1 min · University Avenue

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Racine and Madison.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East-West Freeway
63.8 mi · 62%
Douglas Avenue
8.27 mi · 8%
I 41 North
4.72 mi · 5%
Airport Freeway
4.58 mi · 4%
West Ryan Road
3.99 mi · 4%
North-South Freeway
3.59 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

East-West Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

53.5 mi · 00h 57m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.4 mi
85.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Delafield
01h 06m from Racine
Leave By
2:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Racine and Partly Sunny near Madison.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Racine to Madison?

The road trip is about 102.8 miles (165.4 km) and usually takes 02h 13m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Delafield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.3 miles from Racine and 51.5 miles from Madison.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 85.4 miles (137.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.69 one way or $27.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Racine and Partly Sunny near Madison.

Stop Ideas Near Delafield

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Delafield, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Delafield.

RAIL

Milwaukee Intermodal Station

40 mi away
433 West St. Paul Ave.
RAIL

Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station

41 mi away
5601 South 6th Street
BUS

Beaver Dam, WI

55 mi away
817 Park Avenue
RAIL

Sturtevant station

56 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Racine and Madison. Straight-line distance: 85.35 mi (137.35 km).

Racine

#1 Racine

The second most populous city in Racine County, Wisconsin.

Population76,237
Coordinates42.7261300, -87.7828500
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Madison

#2 Madison

City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin

Population6,667
Coordinates43.0730500, -89.4012300
Altitude267
CountryUnited States
Start: Racine (-87.78285, 42.72613)
End: Madison (-89.40123, 43.07305)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 165 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.63 gal
13.73 L · about $13.69
Round trip
$27.38
7.26 gal · 27.46 L
Estimated CO2
32.3 kg one way
Round trip: 64.5 kg / 142 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.69 $27.38
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.44 $30.88
Premium $4.65 $16.89 $33.79
Diesel $5.30 $19.25 $38.51

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

There is no time difference between Racine and Madison. The current time is 01:34:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.