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Trip from La Crosse, WI to Delafield, WI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

184.5 mi

297 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

fourth-class city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States

Delafield, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 184.5-mile journey from La Crosse, WI, to Delafield, WI, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 26 minutes. With a fuel cost around $28, it’s an economical option for exploring more of the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and along varied city streets rather than just highways. While the highway share is 0%, the inclusion of Main Street and Losey Boulevard North suggests a familiar, community-oriented feel to much of the drive. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.

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

92.2 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 131 mi 2h 20m
I 94 45.5 mi 48m
WI 16 4.5 mi 8m
Main Street 0.9 mi 2m
West Avenue South 0.7 mi 2m
Losey Boulevard North 0.5 mi 1m
Genesee Street 0.4 mi <1m
County Highway C 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 131 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Delafield, 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

131 mi · 2 hr 20 min · I 90
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

46 mi · 48 min · I 94
Exit 138A Toward I 94: Milwaukee Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Exit 285 Toward CTH C: Delafield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn left onto CTH C

0.2 mi · 18 sec · County Highway C
11

Continue on CTH C

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Genesee Street
12

Turn right onto Main Street

121 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
13

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 26-minute duration and the "turn-heavy local drive" profile, starting your trip from La Crosse in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $28, this route is flexible. Since it’s a single-day drive, you have the advantage of not needing to book overnight accommodations. Pay close attention to local speed limits as you navigate Main Street and Losey Boulevard North, as these are likely to change frequently. Being mindful of these transitions will ensure a smooth and efficient arrival in Delafield.

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 92.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131 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 92.2 miles or 1h 46m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delafield, 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 184.5 miles and 3h 26m.

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 131 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

reservoir on the Wisconsin River in Sauk and Columbia counties in Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Wisconsin, WI

92 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

Angelo, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.2 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 131 miles.

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.

Birch & Banyan Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Hartland, Wisconsin

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+12625631034

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 183.9 — 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

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.
8
138.1 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 138A Toward I 94: Milwaukee
7
183.6 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in

Take the exit toward CTH C: Delafield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 285 Toward CTH C: Delafield
5
183.9 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in | CTH C / County Highway C

Turn left onto CTH C / County Highway C

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.84 one way

$57.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.67 $63.34
premium $4.89 $35.51 $71.01
diesel $5.61 $40.74 $81.47

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: 64.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.4 0 $19.37 $8.86
Efficient EV 46.1 0 $16.14 $7.38
EV Truck/SUV 73.8 0 $25.83 $11.81

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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Late night in La Crosse on Tuesday

Local time

3:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Delafield, WI

Late night in Delafield on Tuesday

Local time

3:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 26m 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

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 82.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the entirety of this 184.5-mile trip between La Crosse and Delafield. With a 0% highway share, this route is characterized by frequent turns and navigation through local arteries like Main Street and Losey Boulevard North, rather than open interstate cruising. The absence of a designated longest uninterrupted stretch further emphasizes the stop-and-go nature of this drive. You'll likely experience a changing road profile as you move from one town to another, requiring your full attention to traffic signals and local speed limits. This is a route where you'll be actively engaged with the road and your surroundings.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. 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 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 26m drive. You will face about 7 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 26m. Total distance: 184.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 131 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.

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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Delafield, 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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Explore More

Return Trip

Delafield, WI to La Crosse, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

184.8 mi 3h 26m

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