How far is Racine, WI from Watertown, WI?

The driving distance from Racine, WI to Watertown, WI is about 76.6 miles (123.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.8 miles (93 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m 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
76.65 mi
01h 41m
Flight
57.77 mi
92.97 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
57.77 mi
Kilometers
92.97 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.65 mi
Kilometers
123.35 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 01h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Watertown
Thu, Apr 30, 12:34 PM CDT
Return by in Racine
Thu, Apr 30, 2:15 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Racine
2026-04-30T10:53
Arrive Watertown
Thu, Apr 30, 12:34 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:08 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
Waukesha
WI

City in and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

From Racine
38.3 mi
00h 50m
To Watertown
38.4 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Thursday

Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
54°F
Thursday

Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 · 20 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

    4.5 mi · 5 min · North-South Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac

    3138 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway

  13. 13

    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

  14. 14

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

    937 ft · 16 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    3267 ft · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison

    665 ft · 11 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway

    10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

    26.8 mi · 29 min · East-West Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 26: Watertown, Johnson Creek

    1094 ft · 27 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 26 North: Watertown

    100 m · 10 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward WI 26 Business, CTH Y: Watertown

    612 ft · 15 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on WI 26 Business: Watertown

    2779 ft · 58 sec

  25. 25

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Church Street

    40 m · 3 sec · South Church Street

  26. 26

    Exit the roundabout onto South Church Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · South Church Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    35 m · 4 sec · West Main Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
28 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East-West Freeway
37 mi · 48%
Douglas Avenue
8.27 mi · 11%
I 41 North
6.4 mi · 8%
WI 26 North
5 mi · 7%
Airport Freeway
4.58 mi · 6%
North-South Freeway
4.45 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

East-West Freeway

Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway

26.8 mi · 00h 29m

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
01h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.8 mi
57.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waukesha
00h 50m from Racine
Leave By
3:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny leaving Racine and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Watertown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 76.6 miles (123.3 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?

Waukesha is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.3 miles from Racine and 38.4 miles from Watertown.

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

The direct path is about 57.8 miles (93 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 3:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.22 one way or $20.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Partly Sunny around Racine and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Watertown.

Stop Ideas Near Waukesha

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Waukesha and the surrounding midpoint area.
Milwaukee City Hall
Scenic stop 13.5 mi away

Milwaukee City Hall

Milwaukee , WI
200 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, United States
Rating 4.4/5 84 reviews Tourist attraction,City or town hall
West Allis City Hall
Meeting point 8.7 mi away

West Allis City Hall

West Allis , WI
7525 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis, WI 53214
Rating 4.1/5 38 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Square Apartments
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

City Hall Square Apartments

Milwaukee , WI
104 E Mason St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Rating 3.0/5 28 reviews Apartment building,Property management company

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station

26 mi away
5601 South 6th Street
RAIL

Milwaukee Intermodal Station

26 mi away
433 West St. Paul Ave.
RAIL

Sturtevant station

42 mi away
9900 East Exploration Court
BUS

Beaver Dam, WI

68 mi away
817 Park Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Racine and Watertown. Straight-line distance: 57.77 mi (92.97 km).

Racine

#1 Racine

The second most populous city in Racine County, Wisconsin.

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

#2 Watertown

City in Jefferson County, New York

Population2,039
Coordinates43.1947200, -88.7289900
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: Racine (-87.78285, 42.72613)
End: Watertown (-88.72899, 43.19472)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 123 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.71 gal
10.24 L · about $10.22
Round trip
$20.44
5.42 gal · 20.48 L
Estimated CO2
24.1 kg one way
Round trip: 48.2 kg / 106 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.22 $20.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.53 $23.05
Premium $4.65 $12.61 $25.22
Diesel $5.30 $14.37 $28.75

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Racine and Watertown. The current time is 10:53:07.

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.