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Trip from Lodi, WI to North La Crosse, 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 15m

Distance

122.3 mi

197 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 6m ★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States

Lodi, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a straightforward trip across Wisconsin, this 122.3-mile journey from Lodi to North La Crosse is a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient way to cross the state. Budgeting approximately $19 for fuel should comfortably cover your travel expenses for the trip. Since the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations, allowing you to easily complete the transit in one go. Navigating through the Midwest, this route offers a practical connection between two distinct Wisconsin locations. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prioritize speed and reliability over wandering backroads.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

61.1 miles from Lodi, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 105.8 mi 1h 53m
I 39 10.2 mi 10m
State Highway 60 4 mi 5m
Rose Street 1.6 mi 3m
Portage Street 0.4 mi 1m
South Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 105.8 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lodi, WI and North La Crosse, WI.

1

Start on WI 113

34 ft · 5 sec · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto WI 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · Portage Street
3

Continue on WI 60

3.8 mi · 5 min · State Highway 60
4

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

95 ft · 1 sec · State Highway 60
5

Continue on WI 60

0.1 mi · 11 sec · State Highway 60
6

Enter roundabout

226 ft · 4 sec
7

Continue

0.3 mi · 37 sec
8

Merge onto I 39; I 90; I 94

10 mi · 10 min · I 39; I 90; I 94
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 90; I 94
Use the straight lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

42 mi · 45 min · I 90
Exit 45 Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
11

Take the exit onto I 90; US 53

0.2 mi · 37 sec · I 90; US 53
Exit 3 Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
12

Turn left onto US 53; WI 35

1.6 mi · 3 min · Rose Street
13

Arrive at destination

US 53; CTH B

Trip Plan

Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 122.3-mile route, you have the flexibility to plan your own breaks based on your personal pace. Aim to depart outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain that 2-hour and 15-minute travel time without unnecessary delays. Because you are spending nearly the entire trip on highways, keep a close eye on your fuel levels before you merge onto I-90 to avoid needing to exit unexpectedly. If you find the long interstate stretches monotonous, consider mapping out a quick stretch break at the 60-mile mark to keep your focus sharp. Utilizing the interstate system makes this drive simple, but staying alert during the long highway segments is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in North La Crosse.

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 61.1 miles from Lodi, WI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61.1 miles or 1h 8m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lodi, 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 Lodi, WI

This is one driving day of about 122.3 miles and 2h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Lodi, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 105.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Delton, WI

61 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

Portage, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lemonweir, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.1 miles from Lodi, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.8 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 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 120.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
4.2 mi into trip | ~6m in | WI 60 / State Highway 60

Enter roundabout onto WI 60 / State Highway 60

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
4.4 mi into trip | ~6m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
14.9 mi into trip | ~18m 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
78.4 mi into trip | ~1h 26m 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
120.4 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | I 90; US 53

Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3 Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.12 one way

$38.24 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.99 $41.99
premium $4.89 $23.54 $47.07
diesel $5.61 $27.00 $54.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.7 0 $12.84 $5.87
Efficient EV 30.6 0 $10.70 $4.89
EV Truck/SUV 48.9 0 $17.12 $7.83

Gas CO2

43 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lodi, WI

Morning in Lodi on Sunday

Local time

6:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North La Crosse, WI

Morning in North La Crosse on Sunday

Local time

6:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°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

10 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

2h 15m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

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 42.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of your time spent on major routes including I-90, I-39, and State Highway 60. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on a long, 105.8-mile stretch of I-90, which dictates the overall pace of the experience. Expect a consistent, fast-moving environment that favors highway efficiency rather than technical or winding secondary roads. Because the route relies so heavily on interstate travel, you can anticipate a steady and predictable rhythm throughout the drive. It is a no-nonsense transit that gets you from Lodi to North La Crosse with minimal interruption.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 39. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near WI 60 / State Highway 60.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles (WI 60 / State Highway 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.9 miles (I 90; I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Lodi, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.

La Crosse

78.4 mi in | ~1h 26m | via I 90

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 122.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 4.2 miles (WI 60 / State Highway 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.9 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at North La Crosse, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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