Car Rental Racine, WI

Yes, we highly recommend you rent a car. Racine has limited public transportation and many places to see are spread throughout the city and nearby areas. Downtown is walkable, but most visitors want to explore beyond this area.

Yes, you can easily drive to Chicago. It's about 75 miles (121 km) south on I-94, which is usually a 1.5-hour drive when there's no heavy traffic. Rush hour can make the drive much longer. For a day trip, you could take the Metra commuter train from Kenosha (10 miles south of Racine) to save on Chicago parking.

When you drive into Illinois on I-94, you'll hit toll roads soon after you cross the state line. Make sure you have a way to pay, either cash or electronic. The tolls from the Wisconsin border to downtown Chicago usually cost around $3–6. The final price depends on how you pay and the time of day.

Racine gets a moderate amount of snow, sometimes from lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan. Road crews clear the main roads quickly, but you'll find winter driving skills are helpful from November through March. An all-wheel-drive vehicle can make you feel more confident, but you don't really need one for driving in town.

In Racine, drivers follow the standard Wisconsin driving laws. You won't find any strange local rules that would affect visitors. One state law to know is that you must turn on your headlights whenever you use your windshield wipers for bad weather.

Yes, you can do a one-way rental between Racine and Chicago, but the rental company will probably charge a drop-off fee. Since Racine has fewer rental car places, you might find it easier to set this up from a Milwaukee location. Always ask the company about its specific rules and fees when you book.

You'll find that GPS and smartphone navigation apps work very well in Racine and the nearby region. You can count on getting a good signal and the maps are accurate. The streets are mostly on a simple grid, so the lakefront makes for an easy landmark to the east.