Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Poynette, 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 20m
Distance
120.5 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Poynette, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from La Crosse to Poynette covers 120.5 miles across the Wisconsin countryside. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 20 minutes behind the wheel for this journey, which functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $18, this route is an economical choice for those looking to traverse the Midwest. Since the entire drive stays within Wisconsin, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. Because there are no designated stops on this path, it is best suited for travelers who prefer a direct, uninterrupted commute. Plan your schedule around a single day of travel to maximize your time at the destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 109 mi | 1h 56m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| County Highway CS | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| County Hwys J & CS | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 109 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,282 veh/hr typical · worst 1,894
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Poynette, 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
109 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 115
Toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
9
Keep slight right at fork
204 ft
·
5 sec
10
Turn straight onto CTH J; CTH CS
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
County Hwys J & CS
11
Continue on CTH CS
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
County Highway CS
12
Continue on CTH Q; CTH CS
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Hwys Q & CS
13
Turn left onto CTH Q; CTH CS
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
CTH Q; CTH CS
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 20-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Since this is a non-highway route, keep in mind that travel times may fluctuate slightly based on local traffic conditions along Main Street and CTH CS. Budgeting $18 for gas is a solid baseline, but topping off your tank in La Crosse before departure ensures you won't need to hunt for fuel during the drive. Because there are no programmed stops on this itinerary, ensure you are well-rested before heading out. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between local roads early, as the turn-heavy nature of the trip requires clear navigation.
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 60.2 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109 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 27 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 12m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poynette, 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 120.5 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 109 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.2 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 109 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
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Poynette Rest Area 12
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 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 65 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 116.3 — 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
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
116.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 115
Toward CTH CS: Poynette, Lake Wisconsin
5
116.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.03 one way
$40.07 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $21.82 | $43.65 |
| premium | $5.18 | $24.59 | $49.18 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $25.38 | $50.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.65 | $5.78 |
| Efficient EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.54 | $4.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Afternoon in La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Poynette, WI
Afternoon in Poynette on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
63°F
Elroy, WI
60 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
7 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 20m 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 78.9
Park Closure: Janesville Segment — Partial Trail Closure
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than high-speed interstate cruising. You will navigate primarily via Main Street, Losey Boulevard North, and CTH CS, keeping your focus on the road as you transition through various local segments. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace compared to typical freeway driving. The route demands your full attention due to its technical profile, making it a distinct departure from monotonous straight-line travel. Enjoy the engagement of a winding path that keeps you actively connected to the vehicle throughout the entire 120.5-mile experience.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WI 16. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from La Crosse, WI to Poynette, WI is easy. At 2h 20m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 7.1 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
977 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
437 ft
Total Descent
267 ft
Highest Point
977 ft
~43 mi in
Elevation Range
309 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Bean Juice Coffee Roasters
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-18:00; Su 08:00-15:00
Starbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lake Delton, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteSweet Haus
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Visit websiteMOKA
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
SBG Cafe
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Jules Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Coney Island Hot Dogs
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
West Salem
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteQdoba
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lake Delton, WI
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-We 10:30-22:00; Th-Sa 10:30-23:00; Su...
Visit websiteJimmy John's
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Baraboo, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteJersey Mike's Subs
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Baraboo, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteZulu Grille
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Great Karoo Marketplace Buffet
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sparta Walk-in Campground
Camp_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sparta, WI
Mill Bluff campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
John Muir View
Viewpoint
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fishing Spot (Northern Pike)
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Neshonoc Lakeside Camp Resort
Camp_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
West Salem
Visit websiteJamieson Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Dahl Auto Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
La Crosse, WI
Visit websiteSwarthout Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
WI
Hours: Mo,Tu,Th-Sa 10:00-18:00; We 10:00-20:00
Hop Raising
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
John Muir View
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Ribbon V
Artwork
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Eagle Landmark
Artwork
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Country Inn & Suites
Hotel
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sparta, WI
Visit websiteSparta Walk-in Campground
Camp_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sparta, WI
Mill Bluff campground
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Neshonoc Lakeside Camp Resort
Camp_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
West Salem
Visit websiteBluewater Bay Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Sandstone Ridge Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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
Arriving in Poynette, WI
Full guide →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 20m. Total distance: 120.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; 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.
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 Poynette, 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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