North La Crosse, WI to Baileys Harbor, WI is 272.6 miles and takes about 5h 50m via I 41, I 90, and WI 54, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Given that it's a single-day drive on mostly highway, it’s a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B. You’ll primarily be on interstates for this route, making it efficient for covering distance.
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
136.3 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 41
53.8 mi
58m
I 90
51.9 mi
55m
WI 54
33.4 mi
38m
State Highway 82
28.3 mi
42m
WI 57
18.4 mi
29m
State Highway 23
16 mi
23m
State Highway 44
14.8 mi
21m
US 53
14 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 41
— 53.8 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-41
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 140 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,248 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,819
Quietest
1 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
24.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 North La Crosse, WI and Baileys Harbor, WI.
1
Start on US 53; CTH B
1.2 mi·2 min·Rose Street
2
Take the exit onto US 53
14 mi·15 min·US 53
3
Continue on I 90
52 mi·55 min·I 90
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 69Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
5
Turn left onto State Highway 82
130 ft·5 sec·State Highway 82
6
Continue on State Highway 82
0.2 mi·17 sec·State Highway 82
7
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
29 ft·0 sec·State Highway 82
8
Continue on WI 82
25 mi·36 min·State Highway 82
9
Continue on WI 82
1.1 mi·1 min·West Ormsby Street
10
Continue on WI 82
3.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 82
11
Continue on State Highway 23
6.1 mi·8 min·State Highway 23
12
Continue on WI 23
1.8 mi·2 min·Underwood Avenue
13
Continue on WI 23; CTH C
0.2 mi·17 sec·West Montello Street
14
Continue on WI 22; WI 23; CTH C
0.6 mi·50 sec·East Montello Street
15
Continue on WI 23
9.9 mi·14 min·State Highway 23
16
Continue on WI 23
0.5 mi·49 sec·South 2nd Street
17
Turn right onto WI 73; CTH J
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
18
Turn right onto WI 23; WI 73; CTH D
0.8 mi·1 min·South Fulton Street
19
Continue on WI 23; WI 73
9.5 mi·13 min·State Highway 23 & 73
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 23 & 49
21
Continue on WI 23; WI 49
1.4 mi·2 min·West Fond du Lac Street
22
Turn left onto CTH FF
403 ft·15 sec·North Union Street
23
Turn straight onto West Oshkosh Street
1.4 mi·4 min·West Oshkosh Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto East Oshkosh Street
263 ft·8 sec·East Oshkosh Street
25
Continue on WI 44
15 mi·21 min·State Highway 44
26
Continue on WI 44; WI 91
0.8 mi·1 min·Ripon Rd
27
Continue on WI 44; WI 91
0.2 mi·21 sec·State Highway 44/91
28
Turn left
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward I-41_North: Appleton
29
Merge onto I 41; US 41
54 mi·58 min·I 41; US 41
Toward AppletonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 43 South, US 141 South: Milwaukee
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 170BToward I 43 South: Milwaukee
32
Continue on I 43
4.7 mi·5 min·I 43
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward WI 54, WI 57, LMCT: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
35
Merge onto WI 54; WI 57
33 mi·38 min·WI 54; WI 57
Toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
36
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
8.2 mi·12 min·State Highway 42/57
Use the straight lane.
37
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
106 ft·1 sec·State Highway 42/57
38
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.3 mi·2 min·State Highway 42/57
39
Enter roundabout onto WI 42; WI 57
102 ft·2 sec·State Highway 42/57
40
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
1.2 mi·1 min·State Highway 42/57
41
Continue on WI 42; WI 57
0.1 mi·9 sec·Egg Harbor Road
42
Turn slight right onto WI 57
18 mi·29 min·WI 57
43
Turn left onto CTH F
397 ft·17 sec·County Road F
44
Turn left onto School Lane
261 ft·19 sec·School Lane
45
Arrive at destination
School Lane
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 50-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid driving after dark. Since it’s a single-day trip with a total of 272.6 miles, you have flexibility with stops, but consider a break around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost is $43, so ensure your tank is full before departing North La Crosse, as the longest stretch without a stop is over 50 miles on I 41. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longer segment.
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 136.3 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.8 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 60 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.3 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baileys Harbor, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North 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 North La Crosse, WI
This is one driving day of about 272.6 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from North 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 41 for about 53.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 67.1 and 209.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 69
Toward WI 82: Mauston, Oxford
6
149.1 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Turn left toward I-41_North: Appleton
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I-41_North: Appleton
6
149.3 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 41; US 41
Merge onto I 41; US 41 toward Appleton
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Appleton
6
203.3 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 170B
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
6
209.4 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, Algoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 54 East, WI 57 North: Sturgeon Bay, A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.47 one way
$90.95 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$49.62
$99.23
premium
$5.25
$56.38
$112.75
diesel
$6.28
$67.36
$134.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.8
1
$28.62
$13.08
Efficient EV
68.2
0
$23.85
$10.90
EV Truck/SUV
109
1
$38.16
$17.45
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Late night
in North La Crosse on Friday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Baileys Harbor, WI
Late night
in Baileys Harbor on Friday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
N 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
45°F
Fall River, WI
136 mi in
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
15 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
5h 50m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the 272.6 miles on interstates like I 41 and I 90. You’ll encounter a stretch of 53.8 miles on I 41 without any planned stops. The transition to surface roads, where you’ll find WI 54, will occur later in the drive. Expect a consistent cruising speed for most of your travel, with the density of exits likely increasing as you approach your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.8 mi on I 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 41 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 272.6 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 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 149.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,056 ft597 ft
Total Climb
735 ft
Total Descent
787 ft
Highest Point
1,056 ft
~38.9 mi in
Elevation Range
459 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North La Crosse, WI and Baileys Harbor, WI, road signs point toward Oxford, Appleton, Lmct: Sturgeon Bay and Algoma.
Door County is a scenic part of the state of Wisconsin on the Door Peninsula in Lake Michigan. The easternmost part of Wisconsin, the scenic beauties of this peninsula along with maritime history makes this peninsula a very popular tourist destination in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes, especially in the Summer. Sturgeon Bay is the largest city in the county, and has its own article.
Top landmarks
•Cana Island Light — lighthouse in Wisconsin, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 272.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.8 miles on I 41. 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.
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 Baileys Harbor, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 149.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Baileys Harbor, WI before the return drive.
