Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Shorewood Hills, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 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
$22
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
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.
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
$21.59 one way
$43.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.71 | $47.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.58 | $53.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.49 | $60.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
Shorewood Hills, WI
Morning in Shorewood Hills on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
18 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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.
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
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 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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. 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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