Origin
Belle Plaine, WI
Late night in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belle Plaine, WI to North La Crosse, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
188.1 mi
303 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 55m
★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 17m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belle Plaine, WI
Sam McCool
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 188.1-mile journey from Belle Plaine to North La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a straightforward drive primarily utilizing I-90 and I-39, with a brief section on West Follett Drive. Expect to spend approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes on the road, making it a manageable one-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route is heavily highway-focused, offering a consistent pace for the majority of the drive. This trip is ideal for those seeking an efficient way to travel between these two Wisconsin locations without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
94 miles from Belle Plaine, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 41.3 mi | 44m |
| I 39 | 33.5 mi | 35m |
| West Follett Drive | 28.1 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 161 | 18.9 mi | 28m |
| State Highway 22 | 15.1 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 21 | 11.1 mi | 15m |
| East 3rd Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| US Highway 10 | 6.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 41.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belle Plaine, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Belle Plaine Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Belle Plaine Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto WI 22
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 22
3
Continue on WI 22
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
4
Turn right onto WI 22
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on WI 22
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 22
6
At end of road, turn right onto W Green Tree Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
W Green Tree Road
7
Turn left onto CTH D
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road D
8
At end of road, turn left onto CTH D
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
West 12th Street
9
Turn right onto WI 22; CTH D
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 45; WI 22; CTH D
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 45
11
Turn right
427 ft
·
7 sec
12
Turn straight onto WI 22
9.5 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 22
13
Turn right onto WI 110
230 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 110
14
Turn left onto WI 161
9.8 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 161
15
Continue on WI 161
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East State Street
16
Turn right onto WI 49; WI 161; CTH G; CTH J
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Main Street
17
Turn left onto WI 161
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Mill Street
18
Continue on WI 161
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 161
19
Continue on Loberg Road
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Loberg Road
20
Continue on this road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
21
Turn right onto US 10; CTH K
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 10
22
Continue on US 10
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
23
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
24
Merge onto I 39; US 51
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 39; US 51
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward WI 21: Coloma, Necedah
26
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft
·
3 sec
27
Merge onto WI 21
28 mi
·
39 min
·
West Follett Drive
28
Continue on WI 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 3rd Street
29
Continue on WI 21; CTH H
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 21
30
Continue on WI 21
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East McCoy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on WI 21
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 21
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
33
Merge onto I 94
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
34
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
35
Merge onto I 90
41 mi
·
43 min
·
I 90
36
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 90; US 53
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
37
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
38
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing in the morning from Belle Plaine allows ample time to reach North La Crosse comfortably within the same day. Plan for one stop to break up the 188.1 miles, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 41.3 miles on I-90, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost around $29, keeping an eye on your gauge is practical. Consider a brief stop in a town along I-90 for a stretch and to refuel if needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94 miles from Belle Plaine, WI, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 41 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Belle Plaine, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Belle Plaine, WI
This is one driving day of about 188.1 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Belle Plaine, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 41.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94 miles from Belle Plaine, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 186.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WI 22 / State Highway 22
At end of road, turn left onto WI 22 / State Highway 22
Navigation decision point
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street
Turn right onto WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
90.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward WI 21: Coloma, Necedah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 21: Coloma, Necedah
6
144.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 147
Toward I 90 West: La Crosse, Albert Lea
6
186.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
|
I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.41 one way
$58.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.29 | $64.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.20 | $72.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.53 | $83.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.75 | $9.03 |
| Efficient EV | 47 | 0 | $16.46 | $7.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.33 | $12.04 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Big Flats, WI
94 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 72% of the route on major interstates like I-90 and I-39. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 41.3 miles on I-90, allowing for extended periods of consistent speed. While much of the trip is on high-speed roads, the inclusion of West Follett Drive adds a brief change of pace. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the majority of your time spent on well-maintained interstates designed for efficient travel.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near WI 22 / State Highway 22.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 188.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (WI 22 / State Highway 22): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belle Plaine, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Necedah and Albert Lea.
Necedah
90.6 mi in
|
~2h 3m
Albert Lea
144.5 mi in
|
~3h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 188.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at North La Crosse, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (WI 22 / State Highway 22): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (WI 22; CTH D / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at North La Crosse, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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