Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Morning in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Cross Plains, 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 33m
Distance
129.3 mi
208 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North La Crosse, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Cross Plains, WI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from North La Crosse to Cross Plains, this 129.3-mile trip is an efficient way to traverse the Wisconsin landscape. Expect roughly 2 hours and 33 minutes of driving time, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily stick to major corridors including I-90, US-12, and US-53 to complete your journey. Budget about $20 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both the start and end points are located within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar regional feel throughout the drive. This route is ideal for those who prioritize a direct, highway-focused connection between these two points.
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
64.6 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 75 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 12 | 22 mi | 28m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| US Highway 14 | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 78 | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 19/78 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Rose Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Phillips Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 75 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Cross Plains, 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
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
6
Merge onto US 12
22 mi
·
27 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 12; WI 60
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Phillips Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 12; WI 78
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 12; WI 78
9
Turn right onto WI 78
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 78
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on WI 78; WI 19
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 19/78
11
Turn left onto US 14; WI 78
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 14
12
Continue on US 14; WI 78
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
13
Continue on US 14; CTH F
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 14
14
Continue on US 14; CTH KP
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 14; CTH KP
15
Arrive at destination
US 14
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple given the short duration and single-stop recommendation. Since you have a 2-hour and 33-minute drive ahead, consider departing in the mid-morning to avoid the heaviest regional traffic peaks. Keep in mind that your longest uninterrupted stretch is 75 miles, so plan your single stop accordingly to stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of the journey. Because fuel costs are estimated at $20, filling up before you leave North La Crosse will ensure you have plenty of range to reach Cross Plains without worry. Use the flexibility of this one-day itinerary to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than external travel constraints.
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 64.6 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.6 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cross Plains, 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 129.3 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 90 for about 75 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.6 miles from North La Crosse, 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 75 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 113.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 53
Take the exit onto US 53
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
90.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92
Toward US 12: Baraboo, Lake Delton
5
90.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
90.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
US 12
Merge onto US 12
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
WI 78 / State Highway 78
Turn right onto WI 78 / State Highway 78
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.21 one way
$40.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.19 | $44.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.88 | $49.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.55 | $57.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.58 | $6.21 |
| Efficient EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.31 | $5.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.10 | $8.28 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Cross Plains, WI
Morning in Cross Plains on Sunday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 33m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a straightforward, highway-focused experience with 97% of your time spent on high-speed roads. The journey features a significant 75-mile stretch on I-90, which provides the bulk of your momentum as you cross the state. Because this drive is heavily reliant on interstate and US highway infrastructure, the personality of the road remains consistent rather than technical. You will find yourself settling into a steady pace for the majority of the 129.3-mile transit. While the road surface is designed for efficiency, the transition between the interstate and the US highway sections offers a slight shift in traffic flow as you approach your final destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 53.
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 33m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 North La Crosse, WI to Cross Plains, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Delton along the way.
Lake Delton
90.2 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 129.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75 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 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cross Plains, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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