Origin
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
9:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Crosse, WI to Spring Valley, 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 36m
Distance
218 mi
351 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 23m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Spring Valley, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
La Crosse, WI to Spring Valley, WI is 218 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 90 and WI 33, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive almost entirely within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest. Given its manageable length and focus on major roadways, it’s a practical choice for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this route if you prioritize getting to your destination quickly without extensive detours.
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
109 miles from La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| WI 33 | 33.4 mi | 49m |
| State Highway 23 | 28.2 mi | 33m |
| US 151 | 26.4 mi | 31m |
| WI 32 | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| County Road C | 6 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 42 | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| WI 16 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
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 Spring Valley, 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
33 mi
·
49 min
·
WI 33
11
Turn right onto CTH A; CTH C
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
East State Street
12
Continue on CTH A; CTH C
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
County Road A
13
Turn left onto CTH C
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road C
14
Take the ramp
99 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 151 South: Sun Prairie
15
Merge onto US 151
136 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 151
16
Take the exit
329 ft
·
17 sec
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
17
Turn left onto US 151
26 mi
·
31 min
·
US 151
18
Turn right onto CTH V
451 ft
·
13 sec
·
Rienzi Road
19
Turn left onto CTH K
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road K
20
Enter roundabout
212 ft
·
4 sec
21
Continue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
22
Merge onto WI 23
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Street
23
Continue on WI 23
28 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward WI 32: Howards Grove, Sheboygan Falls
25
Turn left onto WI 32
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
WI 32
26
Continue on WI 42
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 42
27
Turn left onto CTH MM
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Pioneer Road
28
Arrive at destination
CTH MM
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4.5-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 99.6 miles on I 90, as services can be spread out. Since the majority of this route is on well-maintained highways, the drive should be smooth and predictable, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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 109 miles from La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 5m 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 48 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 5m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring Valley, 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 218 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109 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 99.6 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 204.1 — 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
146.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 151 North: Fond du Lac
5
204.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward WI 32: Howards Grove, Sheboygan Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 32: Howards Grove, Sheboygan Falls
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.08 one way
$68.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.42 | $74.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.95 | $83.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.13 | $96.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.89 | $10.46 |
| Efficient EV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.08 | $8.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.2 | 1 | $30.52 | $13.95 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Spring Valley, WI
Morning in Spring Valley on Sunday
Local time
9:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
25 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
4h 36m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of your journey on major roads. You'll experience long stretches of efficient travel, including a continuous 99.6 miles on I 90. The transition to WI 33 and then State Highway 23 will offer a slight change of pace from the interstate, though still maintaining a high-speed character for most of the 218 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes forward momentum over winding, scenic byways.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 WI 33. You will hit about 17 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 218 miles you will encounter 17 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.
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 Spring Valley, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Sheboygan Falls.
Baraboo
106.7 mi in
|
~2h 1m
Sheboygan Falls
204.1 mi in
|
~4h 11m
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 36m. Total distance: 218 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Spring Valley, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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