Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Shorewood Hills, 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 54m
Distance
138.1 mi
222 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 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Shorewood Hills, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 138.1 miles across Wisconsin, this trip from La Crosse to Shorewood Hills is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 54 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul, you should budget for a full day of travel. You can expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the trip, making it an affordable excursion within the Midwest. While it is certainly feasible to complete this drive in a single day, the winding nature of the roads suggests you should prioritize comfort over speed. Whether you are heading to the Madison area for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical, localized way to navigate the state.
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
69 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 | 38.8 mi | 51m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| University Avenue | 4.2 mi | 10m |
| Phillips Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Losey Boulevard North | 0.5 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 Shorewood Hills, 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
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
US 12; WI 78
13
Continue on US 12; WI 19
7.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 12; WI 19
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 251A
Toward US 14 West: Spring Green, La Crosse
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
208 ft
·
7 sec
16
Turn left onto US 14
4.2 mi
·
10 min
·
University Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn slight left
127 ft
·
5 sec
18
Turn left onto Joyce Erdman Place
478 ft
·
26 sec
·
Joyce Erdman Place
19
Turn right onto Locust Drive
193 ft
·
15 sec
·
Locust Drive
20
Turn left onto Western Road
372 ft
·
19 sec
·
Western Road
21
Turn right onto Tally Ho Lane
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
Tally Ho Lane
22
Arrive at destination
Tally Ho Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 54-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy segments. Since the route relies entirely on local roads like US 12, traffic density can fluctuate, so departing early in the morning is a smart way to avoid the busiest local transit times. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the stop-and-go nature of local roads can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency compared to highway driving. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy sections of US 12 before you leave, as the lack of highway segments means you will need to pay close attention to local signage throughout the journey.
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 69 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 69 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shorewood Hills, 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 138.1 miles and 2h 54m.
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 69 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
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 133.2 — 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.
8
133.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 14 West: Spring Green, La Crosse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 251A
Toward US 14 West: Spring Green, La Crosse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.96 one way
$45.92 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $25.01 | $50.02 |
| premium | $5.18 | $28.18 | $56.36 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $29.09 | $58.18 |
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: 48.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.50 | $6.63 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.33 | $8.84 |
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
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 8 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Shorewood Hills, WI
Evening in Shorewood Hills on Wednesday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
0% chance
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
2 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 54m 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 80.9
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?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you navigate away from La Crosse using Main Street and Losey Boulevard North before transitioning onto US 12. This route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be dealing with local traffic patterns and frequent turns throughout the entire 138.1-mile journey. Unlike a standard interstate cruise, the road demands your full attention as it winds through the regional landscape. You will not find long, monotonous stretches here; instead, the character of the drive is defined by a continuous series of turns that keep the pace steady but deliberate. Prepare for a trip that feels more like a scenic backroad exploration than a high-speed commute.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 138.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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
1,003 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
524 ft
Total Descent
304 ft
Highest Point
1,003 ft
~39.5 mi in
Elevation Range
335 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 Shorewood Hills, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
Lake Delton
92.8 mi in
|
~1h 47m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Madison, WI
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteBean 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 websiteEVP Coffee University Bay
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop;tea;pastry
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-12:00
Sweet 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
Dairy Queen
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madison, WI
Cuisine: ice_cream;dessert;cake
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madison, WI
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-21:00
Visit websiteChipotle
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madison, WI
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteSa-Bai Thong
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: thai
Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-21:00
Visit websiteBagels Forever Store
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: bagel
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-20:00; Sa-Su 06:30-18:00
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Madison, WI
Cuisine: bagel;bakery
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-15:00; Sa,Su 06:00-15:00
Visit websiteCliffwood Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sandstone Ridge Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Black Hawk's Cave
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Bluewater Bay Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sunset Point
Viewpoint
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Raymer's Cove
Viewpoint
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 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 websiteForevertron
Artwork
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
The Land Remembers
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Swarthout 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
Ribbon V
Artwork
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Bangor & Area Historical Society
Museum
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Bangor, WI
Visit websiteCliffwood Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sandstone Ridge Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Bluewater Bay Campground
Camp_site
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Wisconsin Union Hotel
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Visit website
Kennedy Park
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
New Lisbon, WI
Neshonoc Lakeside Camp Resort
Camp_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
West Salem
Visit websitePoints 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 Shorewood Hills, WI
Full guide →Founded 1927
Top landmarks
- • College Hills Historic District — residential historic district in Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin
- • First Unitarian Society of Madison — church building in Shorewood Hills, United States of America
- • Shorewood Historic District — historic district in Wisconsin, United States
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 54m. Total distance: 138.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Shorewood Hills, WI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Shorewood Hills, 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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