Poynette Rest Area 12
0 mi from route
Trip from Lake Geneva, WI to La Crosse, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
209.1 mi
337 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Geneva, WI
Wikimedia Commons
La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lake Geneva to La Crosse is 209.1 miles and takes about 4 hours 4 minutes via I-90, I-39, and US-14, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Plan for a steady pace as you traverse the state.
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
104.6 miles from Lake Geneva, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 102.6 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 39 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 14 | 14.5 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 50 | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| I 43 | 5.4 mi | 5m |
| WI 16 | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| East Racine Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Geneva Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,401 veh/hr typical · worst 2,038
Quietest
2 AM
~164 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
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 Lake Geneva, WI and La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 50
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on WI 50
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 50
3
Continue on WI 50
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Geneva Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
5
Merge onto I 43
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
I 43
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft
·
3 sec
8
Merge onto US 14
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 14
9
Turn left onto US 14; WI 11
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 14; WI 11
10
Turn left onto WI 11
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Racine Street
11
Enter roundabout
10 ft
·
0 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
12
Continue
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
13
Merge onto I 39; I 90
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 39; I 90
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
17
At end of road, turn left onto WI 16
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
WI 16
18
Continue on Losey Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Losey Boulevard North
19
Turn right onto CTH F
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
20
Turn left onto 16th Street South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Street South
21
Turn right onto Johnson Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Johnson Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto WI 35
326 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Avenue South
23
Arrive at destination
WI 35
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, this is a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, allowing you to leave later in the morning or depart early and still have plenty of time at your destination. Consider starting your drive mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic, especially if departing from the Lake Geneva area. While the longest stretch on I-90 is substantial, you'll encounter opportunities for fuel and rest stops along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach La Crosse, to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 104.6 miles from Lake Geneva, WI, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 46 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 2h 4m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Geneva, 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 Lake Geneva, WI
This is one driving day of about 209.1 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Lake Geneva, 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 102.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.6 miles from Lake Geneva, 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 102.6 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
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Janesville Rest Area 17
0.1 mi from route
Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area #17 Janesville
0.2 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pleasant Springs Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 16.7 and 201.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
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 15
Toward US 14: Darien, Janesville
6
32.9 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Enter roundabout toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-90 WEST, I-39 NORTH: Madison
6
99 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
162.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
201.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward WI 16: La Crosse, Onalaska
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.88 one way
$61.76 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $34.09 | $68.18 |
| premium | $4.72 | $38.82 | $77.65 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.48 | $78.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.96 | $10.04 |
| Efficient EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.30 | $8.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.27 | $13.38 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Lake Geneva, WI
Morning in Lake Geneva on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Areas Of Smoke
NE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
La Crosse, WI
Morning in La Crosse on Monday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Areas Of Smoke
NE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 4m 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
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 129.8
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 97% of the drive utilizing major interstates and highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of I-90, covering 102.6 miles without interruption, which means consistent speeds and minimal traffic delays. The character of the drive is largely determined by these main roads, offering a direct and efficient path. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of your trip as you follow these well-maintained arteries across Wisconsin.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 209.1 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 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,039 ft
669 ft
Total Climb
527 ft
Total Descent
739 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
~89.6 mi in
Elevation Range
370 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 Lake Geneva, WI to La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Janesville along the way.
Janesville
16.7 mi in
|
~24m
About the Cities
Starting in Lake Geneva, WI
Full guide →Lake Geneva is a city in Southeast Wisconsin. It is nestled on the shores of the lake it takes its name from and is a popular, mid-to-upscale daytrip destination for residents of Wisconsin and neighboring Illinois. During the summer, lakeside and downtown area events are held such as Arts and Crafts fairs and live music performances are held regularly.
Top landmarks
- • Horticultural Hall — building in Wisconsin, United States of America
- • Maple Park Historic District — historic district in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Arriving 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
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 4m. Total distance: 209.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 La Crosse, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crosse, 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, 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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