Origin
Dayton, WI
Morning in Dayton on Tuesday
Local time
9:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dayton, WI to North La Crosse, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
156.7 mi
252 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, WI
Chris Flaten
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dayton, WI to North La Crosse, WI is 156.7 miles and takes about 3h 13m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically Wisconsin, making it a straightforward journey. With 86% of the drive on highways, expect a relatively quick trip focused on efficient travel. Given the short duration and manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You'll find it a practical option for moving between these two points without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.3 miles from Dayton, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 89.2 mi | 1h 35m |
| US Highway 12 & State Highway 60 | 22.1 mi | 28m |
| US 12 | 15.7 mi | 22m |
| West Beltline Highway | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| US 18 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| County Highway PB | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| County Highway D | 3 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 69 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 89.2 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on Dayton Street
217 ft
·
14 sec
·
Dayton Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto WI 92
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
State Highway 92
3
Turn left onto CTH D
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
County Highway D
4
At end of road, turn left onto CTH D
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road D
5
Turn right onto Remy Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Remy Road
6
Turn left onto Frenchtown Road
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Frenchtown Road
7
Turn right onto WI 69
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 69
8
Turn right onto Dianne Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Dianne Avenue
9
Continue on CTH PB
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
County Highway PB
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
11
Merge onto US 18; US 151
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 18; US 151
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
13
Merge onto US 12; US 14
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
West Beltline Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 12
16 mi
·
22 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 12; WI 60
22 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 12 & State Highway 60
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West: La Crosse, Eau Claire
17
Merge onto I 90; I 94
47 mi
·
50 min
·
I 90; I 94
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
19
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
20
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
For this 156.7-mile drive, leaving in the morning is ideal, giving you ample daylight to reach North La Crosse comfortably within the 3h 13m estimated duration. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $25, you can plan for minimal breaks. The longest stretch is 89.2 miles, so consider a quick stop before you embark on that segment if you prefer shorter driving periods. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is your advantage; however, be aware that highway driving can sometimes encounter unexpected delays, so factor in a small buffer.
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 78.3 miles from Dayton, WI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.2 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 34 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
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 Dayton, 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 Dayton, WI
This is one driving day of about 156.7 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Dayton, 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 89.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.3 miles from Dayton, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.2 miles.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 154.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 92 / State Highway 92
At end of road, turn right onto WI 92 / State Highway 92
Navigation decision point
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
CTH D / County Road D
At end of road, turn left onto CTH D / County Road D
Navigation decision point
5
12.6 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the ramp toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, US 151 North: Madison
7
112.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
154.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m 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
$24.50 one way
$49.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.90 | $53.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.16 | $60.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.60 | $69.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47 | 0 | $16.45 | $7.52 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.71 | $6.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.94 | $10.03 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Morning in North La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
9:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 14 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 12:10AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:47PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
29 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 81
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 86% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on I 90, experiencing a consistent pace for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.2 miles on I 90, allowing for minimal interruptions. While the primary roads are highways, keep an eye out for transitions as you move between I 90, US Highway 12 & State Highway 60, and US 12. The character is largely about covering ground efficiently.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.2 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US Highway 12 & State Highway 60. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 92 / State Highway 92.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WI 92 / State Highway 92): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (CTH D / County Road D): Navigation decision point; at 12.6 miles: 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 Dayton, WI and North La Crosse, WI, road signs point toward Eau Claire and La Crosse.
Eau Claire
65.5 mi in
|
~1h 33m
La Crosse
112.8 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 90
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 156.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.2 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: near the start (WI 92 / State Highway 92): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (CTH D / County Road D): Navigation decision point; at 12.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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