Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Dane, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
127.1 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
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
Dane, WI
Anete Lusina
Trip Overview
Embark on a 127.1-mile journey from North La Crosse, WI, to Dane, WI, a trip that will take approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. This drive, primarily utilizing Highway 60, Portage Street, and South Main Street, is a manageable day trip with an estimated fuel cost of $19. The route offers a local feel, ideal for those who prefer to avoid major highways. As both your starting and ending points are within the Midwest region, you'll experience a consistent regional landscape throughout your travels. This drive is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility and exploration along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.6 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 102.1 mi | 1h 49m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 113 | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 60 | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| Rose Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Corner Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Portage Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.1 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,282 veh/hr typical · worst 1,894
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Dane, 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
102 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
5
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
64 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 60
6
Continue on WI 60
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 60
7
Continue on WI 60
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Portage Street
8
Turn left onto WI 113
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Main Street
9
At end of road, turn right onto WI 113
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Corner Street
10
Continue on WI 113
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 113
11
Enter roundabout onto WI 113; CTH V
187 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 113
12
Continue on WI 113; CTH V
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 113
13
Continue on WI 113; CTH V
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Main Street
14
Turn left onto CTH DM
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Military Road
15
Arrive at destination
CTH DM
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 24-minute duration and 127.1-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. To make the most of it, consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential spontaneous stops. With no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so ensure your tank is full before you leave North La Crosse to avoid unnecessary detours for gas. Pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route, especially as you approach Dane, WI, to ensure you don't miss any crucial turns.
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 63.6 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.1 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 63.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dane, 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 127.1 miles and 2h 24m.
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.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 102.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 63.6 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 102.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Portage Rest Area 11
0.1 mi from route
Poynette Rest Area 12
0.1 mi from route
Bangor Rest Area 15
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Sparta Rest Area 16
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Mauston Rest Area 10
0.3 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 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
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 126.1 — 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
3
117.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
7
117.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
WI 60 / State Highway 60
Enter roundabout onto WI 60 / State Highway 60
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
121.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
WI 113 / Corner Street
At end of road, turn right onto WI 113 / Corner Street
Navigation decision point
5
126.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
WI 113; CTH V / State Highway 113
Enter roundabout onto WI 113; CTH V / State Highway 113
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.13 one way
$42.26 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $23.02 | $46.04 |
| premium | $5.18 | $25.94 | $51.87 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $26.77 | $53.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.35 | $6.10 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.79 | $8.13 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
North La Crosse, WI
Afternoon in North La Crosse on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Areas Of Fog
W 2 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Dane, WI
Afternoon in Dane on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 78.9
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads and state highways rather than high-speed interstates. The absence of long, uninterrupted stretches suggests frequent turns and changes in scenery as you traverse through communities. The 'turn-heavy' profile indicates a driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation, making it more engaging for those who enjoy actively participating in their journey rather than cruising on autopilot. This is the kind of drive where you'll feel connected to the local environment.
98% 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: 102.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 53. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 53.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Dane, WI is easy. At 2h 24m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.5 miles (WI 60 / State Highway 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,069 ft
648 ft
Total Climb
725 ft
Total Descent
313 ft
Highest Point
1,069 ft
~118 mi in
Elevation Range
420 ft
About the Cities
Starting in North La Crosse, WI
Full guide →Founded 1842
Top landmarks
- • St. Rose of Viterbo Convent — historic church in Wisconsin, United States
- • La Crosse station — train station in La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
- • Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Wisconsin, United States of America
Arriving in Dane, WI
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 127.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.5 miles (WI 60 / State Highway 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 Dane, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Explore more options from North La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Dane, WI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.