Highway 13 & 21 Wayside
0 mi from route
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Dale, 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 41m
Distance
160.1 mi
258 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 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Dale, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
La Crosse, WI to Dale, WI is 160.1 miles and takes about 3h 41m via I 90 and State Highways, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within Wisconsin, connecting two Midwest locales. Given its manageable distance and duration, it’s a perfect option for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on established highways, making for a predictable and efficient trip. Consider this route if you're looking for a no-fuss drive between these two points.
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
80 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 55.1 mi | 59m |
| State Highway 21 | 41.3 mi | 57m |
| State Highway 80 | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 49 | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 22 | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| County Highway A | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| County Road M | 5.5 mi | 13m |
| State Road 96 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 55.1 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Dale, 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
55 mi
·
59 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
9
Keep slight left at fork
91 ft
·
6 sec
10
Turn left onto WI 80
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Bridge Street
11
Continue on WI 80
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 80
12
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 80
13
Continue on WI 80
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Turn right onto WI 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Street
15
Continue on WI 21
29 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 21
16
Continue on WI 21
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Wautoma Road
17
Continue on WI 21
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 21
18
Turn left onto WI 21; WI 22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cambridge Street
19
Turn right onto WI 21; WI 22; WI 73
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Main Street
20
Turn left onto WI 22
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 22
21
Turn right onto CTH A
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
County Highway A
22
At end of road, turn right onto CTH E
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Highway E
23
Turn left onto CTH M
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road M
24
Continue on CTH M
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road M
25
Continue on CTH M
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road M
26
Turn left onto WI 49
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 49
27
Continue on WI 110
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 110
28
Continue on WI 96
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Road 96
29
Continue on WI 96
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 96
30
Enter roundabout onto WI 96
132 ft
·
7 sec
·
Wisconsin Avenue
Toward WIS 96 East: Appleton
31
Continue on WI 96
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Wisconsin Avenue
Toward WIS 96 East: Appleton
32
Continue on WI 96
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Road 96
33
Turn right onto Depot Road
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Depot Road
34
Arrive at destination
Depot Road
Trip Plan
With a total drive time under four hours, this route is easily accomplished in a single day. Leaving La Crosse in the morning should give you plenty of daylight to reach Dale. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan this strategically for a break and any necessary refueling, though the $25 fuel cost suggests minimal stops are needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I 90 to the state highways; while the longest stretch is on the interstate, services might be less frequent on the latter portions of your journey.
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 80 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.1 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 40m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dale, 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 160.1 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 55.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80 miles from La Crosse, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 157 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Losey Boulevard North
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
6
62.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 61
Toward WI 80: Necedah, New Lisbon
5
62.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
WI 80 / State Highway 80
At end of road, turn left onto WI 80 / State Highway 80
Navigation decision point
5
157 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue
Enter roundabout onto WI 96 / Wisconsin Avenue toward WIS 96 East: Appleton
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward WIS 96 East: Appleton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.03 one way
$50.06 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.48 | $54.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.81 | $61.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.35 | $70.70 |
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: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.81 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.01 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.41 | $10.25 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Late night in La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
26°F
Clear
NW 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM CDT until April 20 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Dale, WI
Late night in Dale on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
25°F
Clear
E 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM CDT until April 20 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 19 at 10:08PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
61°F
Adams, WI
80 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
1 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 41m 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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 99.4
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 drive is primarily highway-focused, with 83% of the journey taking place on faster roads like I 90. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 55.1 miles on I 90, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The route transitions to State Highway 21 and then State Highway 80, which may introduce more varied driving conditions as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of this trip, with less time spent on slower, local roads.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near Losey Boulevard North.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 41m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 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.
On the drive from La Crosse, WI to Dale, WI, road signs begin pointing toward New Lisbon along the way.
New Lisbon
62.2 mi in
|
~1h 14m
About the Cities
Starting in La Crosse, WI
Full guide →Founded 1842
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
- • St. Rose of Viterbo Convent — historic church in Wisconsin, United States
- • La Crosse station — train station in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
- • Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
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 41m. Total distance: 160.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 62.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 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 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Dale, 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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