Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Barton, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
186.5 mi
300 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 46m
★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Barton, WI
Egor Komarov
Trip Overview
La Crosse, WI to Barton, WI is 186.5 miles and takes about 3h 58m via I 90 and State Highway 33, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey. If you're looking for a quick trip between these two points, this route offers a direct path 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
93.3 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| State Highway 33 | 26.3 mi | 37m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.6 mi | 31m |
| 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 Washington Street | 2.5 mi | 5m |
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 Barton, 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 106
Toward 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
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
29
Continue on WI 33
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
30
Continue on WI 33; CTH W
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
31
Continue on WI 33; WI 144
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Washington Street
32
Turn left onto North 8th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North 8th Avenue
33
At end of road, turn left onto WI 144
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
34
Turn right onto WI 144
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Barton Avenue
35
Turn left onto Commerce Street
369 ft
·
16 sec
·
Commerce Street
36
Turn right onto Monroe Street
259 ft
·
11 sec
·
Monroe Street
37
Arrive at destination
Monroe Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, this trip is easily doable in a single day. You can leave La Crosse in the morning and arrive in Barton by lunchtime. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility. The longest stretch on I 90 means you should plan your fuel stops accordingly before you begin that long segment. Keep an eye on the mileage and your fuel gauge to ensure a smooth drive without unexpected interruptions.
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 93.3 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 47m 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 41 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.3 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 3h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barton, 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 186.5 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 93.3 miles from La Crosse, 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 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 175 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
$29.16 one way
$58.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.01 | $64.03 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.89 | $71.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.18 | $82.35 |
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: 65.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.58 | $8.95 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.11 | $11.94 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Barton, WI
Late night in Barton on Sunday
Local time
2:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 83.6
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 largely a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on interstates and state highways. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on I 90, including a long stretch of 99.6 miles without needing to exit. This means you'll experience mostly high-speed driving. While the majority is highway, be aware that you'll transition to State Highway 33 and State Highway 16 as you approach your destination, offering a slight change in scenery and speed.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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 33. You will hit about 17 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 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 186.5 miles you will encounter 17 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.
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 Barton, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.
Baraboo
106.7 mi in
|
~2h 1m
Horicon
152.1 mi in
|
~3h 4m
About the Cities
Starting in La Crosse, WI
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 186.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 Barton, 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Barton, 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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