La Crosse to Campbellsport is 178 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 90 and WI 33, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Most of the drive is on highways, so you can expect a fairly straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a duration under four hours, this is a manageable one-day drive.
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
89 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
99.6 mi
1h 46m
WI 33
33.4 mi
49m
State Highway 49
11.4 mi
16m
State Highway 67
7.2 mi
12m
US 151
6.1 mi
7m
County Road C
6 mi
8m
WI 16
4.5 mi
8m
Main Street
3.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,290 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,940
Quietest
2 AM
~155 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Campbellsport, 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
33 mi·49 min·WI 33
11
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi·34 sec·East State Street
12
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi·22 sec·County Road A
13
Turn left onto CTH C
6.0 mi·8 min·County Road C
14
Take the ramp
99 ft·4 sec
Toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie
15
Merge onto US 151
136 ft·1 sec·US 151
16
Take the exit
329 ft·17 sec
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
17
Turn left onto US 151
6.1 mi·6 min·US 151
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward WI 49: Waupun, Brownsville
19
Keep slight right at fork
108 ft·4 sec
20
Turn right onto WI 49
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 49
21
Continue on Main Street
3.0 mi·4 min·Main Street
22
Continue on State Highway 49
0.1 mi·10 sec·State Highway 49
23
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
24
Merge onto I 41; US 41
1.2 mi·1 min·I 41; US 41
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward WI 67: Lomira, Cambellsport
26
Keep slight left at fork
136 ft·3 sec
27
Turn left onto WI 67; CTH H
0.3 mi·36 sec·Church Street
28
Turn straight onto WI 67; CTH H
7.2 mi·12 min·State Highway 67
29
Continue on WI 67
0.3 mi·27 sec·West Sheboygan Street
30
Turn right onto WI 67; CTH V; CTH W
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Fond du Lac Avenue
31
Turn left onto WI 67
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Main Street
32
Turn right onto South Elm Street
111 ft·4 sec·South Elm Street
33
Arrive at destination
South Elm Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 48-minute drive time, leaving La Crosse in the morning should get you to Campbellsport with plenty of daylight. The single recommended stop is likely enough for a break on this relatively short route. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the 99.6-mile mark on I 90, and plan your refueling accordingly before transitioning to state highways. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but an early start maximizes your time upon arrival.
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 89 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 42m 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 89 miles or 1h 42m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Campbellsport, 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 178 miles and 3h 48m.
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 89 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 153 — 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
146.9 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
5
153 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward WI 49: Waupun, Brownsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 49: Waupun, Brownsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.69 one way
$59.38 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$32.27
$64.54
premium
$5.26
$36.85
$73.71
diesel
$6.18
$43.30
$86.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.4
0
$18.69
$8.54
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
EV Truck/SUV
71.2
0
$24.92
$11.39
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
9:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
S 3 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:55AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:54AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Campbellsport, WI
Morning
in Campbellsport on Sunday
Local time
9:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:55AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 8:54AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS La Crosse 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
4 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 48m 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 79.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 92% of the route on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 99.6 miles, on I 90. The highway portion concludes as you transition onto WI 33 and State Highway 49, signaling a shift to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Expect a busy highway environment with frequent exits for the majority of the drive.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WI 33. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 178 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,081 ft669 ft
Total Climb
838 ft
Total Descent
480 ft
Highest Point
1,081 ft
~38.1 mi in
Elevation Range
413 ft
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 Campbellsport, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Brownsville.
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.
Top landmarks
•La Crosse station — train station in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
•St. Rose of Viterbo Convent — historic church in Wisconsin, United States
•Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 178 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 Campbellsport, 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Campbellsport, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
