If you are planning a trip from La Crosse to Addison, you can expect a straightforward journey covering 175.9 miles across the Wisconsin landscape. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-90 alongside State Highways 16 and 33 to navigate between these two Midwest locations. With a fuel budget of about $27, the route is economically manageable for most travelers. Since the entire trip takes place within Wisconsin, the transition between regions is seamless and familiar. It serves as an efficient connection for those looking to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
88 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
99.6 mi
1h 46m
State Highway 16
22.6 mi
31m
State Highway 33
20.5 mi
29m
US 151
13.4 mi
15m
WI 16
4.5 mi
8m
WI 33
4 mi
5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.8 mi
4m
West Wisconsin Street
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Addison, WI.
1
Start on WI 35
0.7 mi·2 min·West Avenue South
2
Turn right
350 ft·12 sec
3
Turn straight onto CTH F
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
4
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi·1 min·Losey Boulevard North
5
Continue on WI 16
4.5 mi·8 min·WI 16
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 106Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
9
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft·4 sec
10
Turn straight onto WI 33
4.0 mi·5 min·WI 33
11
Turn right onto US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi·3 min·West Wisconsin Street
12
Continue on US 51; WI 16
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
13
Turn left onto WI 16
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 16
14
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.4 mi·53 sec·James Street
15
Turn left
0.4 mi·53 sec
16
Merge onto US 151
13 mi·15 min·US 151
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
18
Keep slight right at fork
228 ft·5 sec
19
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.3 mi·30 sec·Park Avenue
20
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi·10 min·State Highway 33
21
Continue on Washington Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Washington Street
22
Turn left onto WI 33
0.3 mi·26 sec·Main Street
23
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi·23 sec·Barstow Street
24
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.1 mi·17 sec·Vine Street
25
Turn right onto WI 33; CTH E
1.2 mi·1 min·East Lake Street
26
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 33
27
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
150 ft·2 sec·State Highway 33
28
Continue on WI 33
4.1 mi·6 min·State Highway 33
29
Turn left onto Yellowstone Trail
0.2 mi·41 sec·Yellowstone Trail
30
Arrive at destination
Yellowstone Trail
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 40-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic patterns. You only need to build in one stop to keep your energy levels high during the 175.9-mile journey. Since the route relies so heavily on I-90, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure your longest stretch of 99.6 miles remains smooth and uninterrupted. Keep your $27 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stop, ideally timing it for when you transition from the interstate to the state highways. This proactive approach ensures you stay on schedule without needing to rush through the drive.
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 88 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 miles or 1h 41m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Addison, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving La Crosse, 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 La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 175.9 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from La Crosse, 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 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 88 miles from La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 152.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.1 mi into trip|~15m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
106.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
106.9 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
152.1 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
5
152.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.50 one way
$55.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.19
$60.39
premium
$4.89
$33.85
$67.70
diesel
$5.61
$38.84
$77.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.8
0
$18.47
$8.44
Efficient EV
44
0
$15.39
$7.04
EV Truck/SUV
70.4
0
$24.63
$11.26
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
2:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Cloudy
SW 21 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 3:02PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 1:53PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Addison, WI
Late night
in Addison on Sunday
Local time
2:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 25 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 3:02PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 1:53PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Green Bay 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
3 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 40m 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 78.9
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start with a significant 99.6-mile stretch on I-90, which provides the most consistent pace for the first half of your journey. As you transition onto State Highways 16 and 33, the rhythm of the drive shifts from high-speed interstate travel to a more varied secondary road experience. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over complex navigation. While the interstate portion allows you to cover ground quickly, the state highway segments offer a different feel as you move toward Addison.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 16. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort6/10
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 175.9 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: at 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between La Crosse, WI and Addison, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.
La Crosse is a city in the Coulee Region of Southwest Wisconsin on the Mississippi River. It is the county seat of La Crosse County. It's nestled between the river and picturesque bluffs that rise behind it. With a city population of around 50,000 and the metropolitan area just under 100,000, La Crosse offers visitors plenty of activities to do and sights to see, without the overwhelming hustle and bustle of bigger cities.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 175.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 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 Addison, 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Addison, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
