This straightforward 90.5-mile drive from La Crosse to Lake Delton, Wisconsin, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 47 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route is predominantly highway, with 97% of the journey on major roads like I-90 and WI-16, so you'll spend most of your time cruising. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this is a budget-friendly option for exploring the Midwest. Given its short duration and highway focus, it’s designed for efficient travel without the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.2 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
79 mi
1h 24m
WI 16
4.5 mi
8m
Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
3.2 mi
6m
Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
US Highway 12 & State Highway 16
0.9 mi
1m
West Avenue South
0.7 mi
2m
Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
1m
West Lake Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 79 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Lake Delton, 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
79 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 90
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 85Toward US 12, WI 16: Wisconsin Dells
9
Keep slight left at fork
97 ft·6 sec
10
Turn left onto US 12; WI 16
0.9 mi·1 min·US Highway 12 & State Highway 16
11
Continue on US 12; WI 16
0.8 mi·1 min·Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Use the straight lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 12; WI 16
135 ft·5 sec·Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
13
Continue on US 12; WI 16
0.6 mi·48 sec·Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
14
Continue on US 12; WI 16; CTH A
1.9 mi·4 min·Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto West Lake Avenue
64 ft·2 sec·West Lake Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
West Lake Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only 90.5 miles and takes under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving La Crosse in the morning will get you to Lake Delton with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch on I-90 is 79 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you get on that segment, as you won't want to be looking for services in the middle of it. With a low fuel cost of around $14, you won't need to worry too much about budget on this short hop, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially when on the interstate.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 20 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.2 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Delton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 90.5 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 79 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 45.2 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 79 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 88 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|Losey Boulevard North
Turn left onto Losey Boulevard North
Navigation decision point
6
86.1 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 12, WI 16: Wisconsin Dells
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 85
Toward US 12, WI 16: Wisconsin Dells
5
86.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
88 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 12; WI 16 / Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Enter roundabout onto US 12; WI 16 / Wisconsin Dells Parkway North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.15 one way
$28.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.53
$31.07
premium
$4.89
$17.42
$34.83
diesel
$5.61
$19.98
$39.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.2
0
$9.50
$4.34
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.92
$3.62
EV Truck/SUV
36.2
0
$12.67
$5.79
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 17, 2026
Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning
in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
S 8 to 16 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 10:23AM CDT until April 17 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen M...
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:22AM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Destination
Lake Delton, WI
Morning
in Lake Delton on Sunday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
8 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
1h 47m 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 81.1
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 90.5-mile trip. You'll be on I-90 for a significant stretch of 79 miles, offering a consistent and fast-paced experience. As you approach your destination, you'll transition to WI-16 and then the Wisconsin Dells Parkway North, which might offer a slight change in scenery but maintains a high-speed character. This route prioritizes getting you there quickly over winding country roads or frequent stops, so settle in for a smooth, uninterrupted journey on well-maintained highways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WI 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 47m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 86.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
The longest stretch is about 79 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (Losey Boulevard North): Navigation decision point; at 86.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Delton, WI before heading back.
