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Trip from La Crosse, WI to Newburg, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 7m

Distance

192.5 mi

310 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 55m ★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 17m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
4h 0m

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

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Newburg, WI, WI

Newburg, WI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

La Crosse, WI to Newburg, WI is 192.5 miles and takes about 4h 7m via I 90 and State Highway 33, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a largely highway-based experience that should feel straightforward for a single day of driving. This route offers a practical connection between two points without significant detours, making it a good option for efficient travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

96.3 miles from La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 99.6 mi 1h 46m
State Highway 33 30.3 mi 43m
State Highway 16 22.6 mi 31m
US 151 13.4 mi 15m
West Washington Street 5.6 mi 11m
WI 16 4.5 mi 8m
WI 33 4 mi 5m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between La Crosse, WI and Newburg, 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 106 Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
9

Keep slight right at fork

175 ft · 4 sec
10

Turn straight onto WI 33

4.0 mi · 5 min · WI 33
11

Turn right onto US 51; WI 16

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Wisconsin Street
12

Continue on US 51; WI 16

2.8 mi · 4 min · US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
13

Turn left onto WI 16

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 16
14

Continue on WI 16; WI 60

0.4 mi · 53 sec · James Street
15

Turn left

0.4 mi · 53 sec
16

Merge onto US 151

13 mi · 15 min · US 151
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
18

Keep slight right at fork

228 ft · 5 sec
19

Turn straight onto WI 33

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Park Avenue
20

Continue on WI 33

8.0 mi · 10 min · State Highway 33
21

Continue on Washington Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
22

Turn left onto WI 33

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Main Street
23

Continue on WI 33

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Barstow Street
24

Turn straight onto WI 33

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Vine Street
25

Turn right onto WI 33; CTH E

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Lake Street
26

Continue on WI 33

8.4 mi · 12 min · State Highway 33
27

Enter roundabout onto WI 33

150 ft · 2 sec · State Highway 33
28

Continue on WI 33

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33
29

Continue on WI 33

1.2 mi · 1 min · Main Street
30

Continue on WI 33; CTH W

5.1 mi · 7 min · State Highway 33
31

Continue on WI 33; WI 144

5.6 mi · 11 min · West Washington Street
32

Continue on WI 33

4.1 mi · 5 min · State Highway 33
33

Turn left onto Salisbury Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Salisbury Street
34

Arrive at destination

Salisbury Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 7m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility. You'll cover 192.5 miles, and with only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $30, and plan your fill-up before you leave the main highway sections. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 100 miles on I 90, so be sure you're comfortable with that duration before heading out.

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 96.3 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 50m 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 42 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96.3 miles or 1h 50m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newburg, 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 192.5 miles and 4h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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.

village in Columbia County, Wisconsin

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pardeeville, WI

96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Wisconsin, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.3 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Lyndon Station Rest Area 9

0 mi from route

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

Petro Stopping Centers

2.1 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 152.4 — 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
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
152.1 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in

Take the exit toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
5
152.4 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.10 one way

$60.19 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.04 $66.09
premium $4.89 $37.04 $74.09
diesel $5.61 $42.50 $85.00

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

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.8 0 $20.21 $9.24
Efficient EV 48.1 0 $16.84 $7.70
EV Truck/SUV 77 0 $26.95 $12.32

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

23 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 15, 2026

Origin

La Crosse, WI

Morning in La Crosse on Sunday

Local time

9:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Newburg, WI

Morning in Newburg on Sunday

Local time

9:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 7m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 79.7
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly highway, with 92% of the travel on freeways. You'll spend the longest stretch of your drive, 99.6 miles, on I 90. The transition to surface roads occurs around mile 177, where you'll be on State Highway 33 for the remainder of the trip. Expect a significant amount of exiting and merging as you navigate the highway system.

92% 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: 99.6 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 33. You will hit about 14 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 192.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 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.

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 Newburg, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.

Baraboo

106.7 mi in | ~2h 1m

Horicon

152.1 mi in | ~3h 4m

About the Cities

Starting in La Crosse, WI

Full guide →

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.

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 4h 7m. Total distance: 192.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 7m 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.

Yes — we found about 10 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 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Newburg, 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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