Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Montello, 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 10m
Distance
105.5 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montello, WI
Marco Piccinelli
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Montello to North La Crosse is 105.5 miles and takes about 2h 10m via I 90 and State Highway 23, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 95% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient route. It's a short enough trip to complete comfortably in a single day, making it ideal for a quick getaway or a connecting leg of a larger adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Montello, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| State Highway 82 | 28.1 mi | 41m |
| State Highway 23 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Underwood Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Rose Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Ormsby Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East Montello Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Montello Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montello, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on WI 22; WI 23; CTH C
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Montello Street
2
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
West Montello Street
3
Turn slight right onto WI 23; CTH C
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Underwood Avenue
4
Continue on WI 23
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23
5
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 82
6
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ormsby Street
7
Continue on WI 82
25 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 82
8
Keep slight right at fork
278 ft
·
5 sec
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
10
Merge onto I 90; I 94
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 90; I 94
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 90
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
12
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
13
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Rose Street
14
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 10m duration and 105.5 miles, this is a perfect same-day trip. Aim to leave Montello in the morning to maximize daylight and give yourself plenty of time. There are no specific stops recommended, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 65.8-mile stretch on I 90, as services can be spaced out on interstates. The $16 fuel estimate should cover the trip comfortably.
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 52.7 miles from Montello, WI, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 23 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 48m
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 Montello, 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 Montello, WI
This is one driving day of about 105.5 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Montello, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 65.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Montello, 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 65.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
La Crosse Rest Area 31
1.2 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
4 of 44 decision points cluster between mile 37.7 and 103.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
37.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
3
38.1 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
I 90; I 94
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m 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
103.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
$16.49 one way
$32.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.11 | $36.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.30 | $40.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.29 | $46.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.23 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.77 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Montello, WI
Afternoon in Montello on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
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
12 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 10m 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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 10.9
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?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 95% of the 105.5 miles on high-speed roads like I 90. You'll experience a long stretch of 65.8 miles on I 90 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect quick cruising for most of the drive, with fewer turns and more direct travel. The transition from interstate to State Highway 23 will mark the shift to a more typical road environment.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 82. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 37.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 37.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 38.1 miles (I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 61.6 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Montello, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
La Crosse
61.6 mi in
|
~1h 21m
|
via I 90
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 105.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
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 37.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 38.1 miles (I 90; I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 61.6 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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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