How far is Racine, WI from Waukesha, WI?
The driving distance from Racine, WI to Waukesha, WI is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 04m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Racine and Waukesha.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Racine and Waukesha.
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1
Start on 7th Street
21 m · 11 sec · 7th Street
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Hamilton Street
1000 ft · 20 sec · Hamilton Street
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4
Turn right onto Douglas Avenue
8.3 mi · 14 min · Douglas Avenue
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5
Continue on South Chicago Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Chicago Road
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6
Turn straight
538 ft · 23 sec
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7
Turn left onto West Ryan Road
4 mi · 6 min · West Ryan Road
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 41 North, I 94 West: Milwaukee
2802 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto North-South Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North-South Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 41 North, I 43 South, I 894 Bypass: Madison, Fond du Lac
3138 ft · 49 sec
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11
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight right onto Airport Freeway
4.6 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
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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
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Madison, Milwaukee
937 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
3267 ft · 56 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Madison
665 ft · 11 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto East-West Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · East-West Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 18, WI 164 South, CTH JJ: Barker Road, Bluemound Road
765 ft · 19 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on US 18 East, CTH Y, CTH JJ: Barker Road, Bluemound Road
561 ft · 14 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on US 18, CTH JJ: Waukesha, Barker Road North
764 ft · 30 sec
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21
Turn left onto West Bluemound Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · West Bluemound Road
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22
Turn slight left
2232 ft · 57 sec
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23
Turn slight right
134 m · 17 sec
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24
Turn straight onto Main Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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25
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 Waukesha.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Douglas Avenue
Turn right onto Douglas Avenue
8.27 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Racine and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukesha.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Racine to Waukesha?
The road trip is about 41.7 miles (67.1 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?
Saint Francis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.8 miles from Racine and 20.9 miles from Waukesha.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.54 one way or $11.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Racine and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waukesha.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Francis
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Milwaukee City Hall
West Allis City Hall
City Hall Square Apartments
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saint Francis.
Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Sturtevant station
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Racine and Waukesha. Straight-line distance: 30.09 mi (48.42 km).
#1 Racine
The second most populous city in Racine County, Wisconsin.
| Population | 76,237 |
| Coordinates | 42.7261300, -87.7828500 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waukesha
City in and county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States
| Population | 8,939 |
| Coordinates | 43.0116800, -88.2314800 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waukesha (-88.23148, 43.01168)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 67 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.54 | $11.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.25 | $12.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.84 | $13.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.80 | $15.59 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.