Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Mount Horeb, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
137.3 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Mount Horeb, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
La Crosse to Mount Horeb is 137.3 miles and takes about 2h 50m via I 90 and US 12, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward connection between these two points. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily fit this into a weekend or as a segment of a longer trip.
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
68.6 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 85.7 mi | 1h 31m |
| US 12 | 22 mi | 28m |
| State Highway 78 | 15.5 mi | 22m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| US Highway 14 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 19/78 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Phillips Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Mills Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,242 veh/hr typical · worst 1,828
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Mount Horeb, 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
86 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
10
Merge onto US 12
22 mi
·
27 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 12; WI 60
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Phillips Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 12; WI 78
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 12; WI 78
13
Turn right onto WI 78
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 78
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on WI 78; WI 19
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 19/78
15
Turn left onto US 14; WI 78
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 14
16
Continue on US 14; WI 78
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
State Street
17
Turn right onto WI 78; CTH F
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Mills Street
18
Continue on WI 78
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 78
19
Enter roundabout onto WI 78; US 18 Business; US 151 Business
47 ft
·
0 sec
·
Springdale Street
20
Continue on WI 78; US 18 Business; US 151 Business
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Springdale Street
21
Continue on WI 78; US 18 Business; US 151 Business
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Main Street
22
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
South 2nd Street
23
Arrive at destination
South 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Mount Horeb with time to spare. The longest continuous stretch on I 90 is over 85 miles, so plan your break before or after this segment if you prefer shorter driving periods. With a fuel cost estimate of $21, it's a budget-friendly trip, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the highway portion, around mile 130.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.6 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 30 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.6 miles or 1h 21m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Horeb, 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 137.3 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 85.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.6 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 85.7 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 116.4 — 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
92.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
5
93 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
93.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 12
Merge onto US 12
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
116.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
WI 78 / State Highway 78
Turn right onto WI 78 / State Highway 78
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.83 one way
$45.65 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $24.87 | $49.73 |
| premium | $5.18 | $28.02 | $56.03 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $28.92 | $57.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.42 | $6.59 |
| Efficient EV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.01 | $5.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.9 | 0 | $19.22 | $8.79 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Evening in La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
E 3 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Mount Horeb, WI
Evening in Mount Horeb on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
3 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
2h 50m 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 80.5
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?
Expect a highly efficient drive, as 96% of this route is on highways. You'll cover a significant stretch of 85.7 miles on I 90 before transitioning. The shift to surface roads will occur later in the trip, offering a change of pace. The prevalence of highway driving means you'll encounter frequent exits and on-ramps for much of the way.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. You will hit about 10 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
5/10
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 137.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 92.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,249 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
926 ft
Total Descent
346 ft
Highest Point
1,249 ft
~137.3 mi in
Elevation Range
580 ft
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 Mount Horeb, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
Lake Delton
92.8 mi in
|
~1h 47m
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 2h 50m. Total distance: 137.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.7 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Mount Horeb, WI before heading back.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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