How far is Racine, WI from Waunakee, WI?
The driving distance from Racine, WI to Waunakee, WI is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 90.5 miles (145.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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 02h 14m.
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.
Village in Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Racine and Waunakee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Racine and Waunakee.
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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
10.2 mi · 12 min · East-West Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on East-West Freeway
53.5 mi · 57 min · East-West Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 39 North, I 90 West, I 94 West: Wisconsin Dells, Eau Claire
6.9 mi · 7 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward WI 19: Waunakee, Sun Prairie
1277 ft · 31 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on WI 19 West: Waunakee
138 m · 14 sec
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22
Continue on State Highway 19
1.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 19
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 7 sec
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24
Exit the roundabout
2.4 mi · 3 min
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 19
37 m · 7 sec · State Highway 19
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26
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 19
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 19
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27
Continue on East Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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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 Waunakee.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Racine and Partly Sunny near Waunakee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Racine to Waunakee?
The road trip is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?
Oconomowoc Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.1 miles from Racine and 54.2 miles from Waunakee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 90.5 miles (145.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.8 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 2:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.41 one way or $28.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Racine and Partly Sunny near Waunakee.
Stop Ideas Near Oconomowoc Lake
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 Oconomowoc Lake.
Milwaukee Intermodal Station
Milwaukee Airport Railroad Station
Beaver Dam, WI
Columbus
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Racine and Waunakee. Straight-line distance: 90.5 mi (145.65 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 Waunakee
Village in Dane County, Wisconsin
| Population | 14,188 |
| Coordinates | 43.1919400, -89.4556700 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waunakee (-89.45567, 43.19194)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 174 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.41 | $28.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.25 | $32.49 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.78 | $35.56 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $20.26 | $40.52 |
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.