Origin
Markesan, WI
Morning in Markesan on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Markesan, 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 52m
Distance
140.1 mi
226 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 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Markesan, WI
Ronin .
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Markesan, WI to North La Crosse, WI is 140.1 miles and takes about 2h 52m via I 90 and State Highways, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, traversing Wisconsin for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day drive. The relatively low fuel cost makes it an economical option for a quick excursion. Plan for a straightforward trip with minimal complexity.
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
70.1 miles from Markesan, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 102.5 mi | 1h 50m |
| State Highway 44 | 17.4 mi | 30m |
| State Highway 33 | 10.3 mi | 15m |
| East Cook Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| South Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Rose Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| West Manchester Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Margaret Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.5 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Markesan, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH S
164 ft
·
9 sec
·
West John Street
2
Turn left onto WI 44; CTH O
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Margaret Street
3
Turn right onto WI 44
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Manchester Street
4
Continue on WI 44
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 44
5
Continue on WI 44
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 44
6
Continue on WI 44
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Street
7
Continue on WI 44
7.9 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 44
8
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 44
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 44
9
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 44
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 44
10
At end of road, turn right onto WI 33; WI 44
10 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 33
11
Continue on WI 33
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Cook Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
13
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 90; I 94
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
15
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
16
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip of under three hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning would allow you to avoid early rush hour if any exists near your starting point. With only one stop suggested, consider making it a brief fuel and stretch break around the halfway point. The longest continuous stretch on I 90 is 102.5 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration between potential service areas. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22, suggesting a need for a fill-up or two.
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 70.1 miles from Markesan, WI, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.5 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 31 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.1 miles or 1h 35m 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 23m
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 Markesan, 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 Markesan, WI
This is one driving day of about 140.1 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Markesan, 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 102.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.1 miles from Markesan, 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 102.5 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 138.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WI 44; CTH O / South Margaret Street
Turn left onto WI 44; CTH O / South Margaret Street
Navigation decision point
4
16.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
WI 44 / State Highway 44
Keep slight left at fork onto WI 44 / State Highway 44
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
20.4 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
WI 33; WI 44 / State Highway 33
At end of road, turn right onto WI 33; WI 44 / State Highway 33
Navigation decision point
7
96.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m 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
138.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
$21.90 one way
$43.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.05 | $48.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.93 | $61.86 |
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: 49 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 | 42 | 0 | $14.71 | $6.72 |
| Efficient EV | 35 | 0 | $12.26 | $5.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56 | 0 | $19.61 | $8.97 |
Gas CO2
49 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
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
13 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 52m 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
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 62.8
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 93% of your time on highways, covering 102.5 miles primarily on I 90. This means you'll experience long stretches of consistent cruising before transitioning to State Highway 44 and State Highway 33 for the final portion of your drive. Expect frequent exits and on-ramps on the interstate, transitioning to more open road as you approach your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 44. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WI 44; CTH O / South Margaret Street.
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 140.1 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (WI 44; CTH O / South Margaret Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.5 miles (WI 44 / State Highway 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 20.4 miles (WI 33; WI 44 / State Highway 33): Navigation decision point.
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 Markesan, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
La Crosse
96.3 mi in
|
~2h 3m
|
via I 90
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 140.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m 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 102.5 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: near the start (WI 44; CTH O / South Margaret Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.5 miles (WI 44 / State Highway 44): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 20.4 miles (WI 33; WI 44 / State Highway 33): Navigation decision point.
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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