North La Crosse, WI to Cudahy, WI is 213.5 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 90 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive that's almost entirely on major highways. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from the La Crosse area to the Milwaukee vicinity.
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
106.8 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
120.3 mi
2h 8m
I 94
70.7 mi
1h 18m
US 53
14 mi
15m
John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
Lake Freeway
2 mi
3m
Rose Street
1.2 mi
2m
East-West Freeway
1.2 mi
1m
South Kinnickinnic Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 120.3 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Cudahy, 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
120 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 90
Use the straight lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 94
Exit 138AToward I 94: MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794
1.2 mi·1 min·East-West Freeway
Exit 310CToward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of MilwaukeeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 794
2.0 mi·3 min·Lake Freeway
Toward LakefrontUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on I 794
2.3 mi·3 min·John R. Plewa Memorial Lake Parkway
8
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward Howard Avenue
9
Keep slight left at fork
96 ft·5 sec
10
Turn left onto East Howard Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·East Howard Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto South Kinnickinnic Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·South Kinnickinnic Avenue
12
Continue on East Plankinton Avenue
463 ft·14 sec·East Plankinton Avenue
13
Turn right onto South Kingan Avenue
167 ft·12 sec·South Kingan Avenue
14
Turn left
303 ft·22 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under 4 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated around $33, planning for one stop for gas and a quick break should be sufficient. Keep an eye on the mileage, as the longest continuous stretch on I 90 is over 120 miles, so make sure you're comfortable before that 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 106.8 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.3 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 47 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cudahy, 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 213.5 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 120.3 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 135.5 and 213.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
9
206.2 mi into trip|~3h 45m in|I 794 / East-West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 794 / East-West Freeway toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 310C
Toward I 794 East: Lakefront, Port of Milwaukee
5
211.9 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
212 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|East Howard Avenue
Turn left onto East Howard Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
213.5 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|South Kingan Avenue
Turn right onto South Kingan Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.38 one way
$66.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.65
$73.30
premium
$4.89
$41.09
$82.17
diesel
$5.61
$47.14
$94.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.1
0
$22.42
$10.25
Efficient EV
53.4
0
$18.68
$8.54
EV Truck/SUV
85.4
1
$29.89
$13.66
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 19, 2026
Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Morning
in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
9:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cudahy, WI
Morning
in Cudahy on Sunday
Local time
9:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 59m 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 81
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 99% of the 213.5 miles spent on major interstates like I 90 and I 94. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 120.3 miles on I 90 before transitioning to other routes. The route is characterized by frequent exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas, especially as you approach your destination.
99% 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: 120.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 135.5 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort6/10
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 213.5 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: at 135.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.2 miles (I 794 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 213.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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.
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 Cudahy, 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 135.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.2 miles (I 794 / East-West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Cudahy, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
