If you are planning to cross Wisconsin from North La Crosse to De Pere, expect a straightforward journey covering 197.7 miles. You should budget about 4 hours and 13 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, it is an affordable route for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. The path utilizes a combination of I-90, I-41, and State Highway 82 to get you across the state efficiently. Since the entire trip takes place within the Midwest, you can anticipate consistent road conditions throughout. It is best treated as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop.
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
98.8 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
51.9 mi
55m
I 41
46.3 mi
49m
State Highway 82
28.3 mi
42m
State Highway 23
16 mi
23m
State Highway 44
14.8 mi
21m
US 53
14 mi
15m
State Highway 23 & 73
9.5 mi
13m
State Highway 23 & 49
3.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 51.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and De Pere, 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
46 mi·49 min·I 41; US 41
Toward AppletonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 163AToward CTH G
31
Keep slight right at fork
363 ft·8 sec
32
Turn right onto West Main Avenue
284 ft·5 sec·West Main Avenue
33
Enter roundabout onto West Main Avenue
125 ft·2 sec·West Main Avenue
34
Continue on West Main Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·West Main Avenue
35
Continue on WI 32
0.3 mi·45 sec·Reid Street
36
Turn left onto WI 32
205 ft·4 sec·3rd Street
37
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 32
0.4 mi·48 sec·WI 32
38
Enter roundabout onto WI 57
269 ft·4 sec·WI 57
39
Continue on WI 57
475 ft·8 sec·WI 57
40
Arrive at destination
WI 57
Trip Plan
For a smooth experience, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the four-hour duration. Because this route relies heavily on major corridors, you should check traffic reports for I-90 and I-41 before departing, as these roads can experience congestion near urban centers. Keeping your fuel budget around $30 is realistic, but it is wise to fill up before hitting the longer stretches to avoid inflated prices at remote stations. Since the drive is short enough to complete in a single day, you have the flexibility to leave in the morning or afternoon based on your preference. Prioritize a steady pace during the 51.9-mile stretch on I-90 to maintain your arrival schedule.
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 98.8 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 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 43 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.8 miles or 2h 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Pere, 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 197.7 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 51.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 67.1 and 195.6 — 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
5
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|State Highway 82
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 82
Navigation decision point
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
5
195.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward CTH G
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 163A
Toward CTH G
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.91 one way
$61.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.94
$67.87
premium
$4.89
$38.05
$76.09
diesel
$5.61
$43.65
$87.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.3
0
$20.76
$9.49
Efficient EV
49.4
0
$17.30
$7.91
EV Truck/SUV
79.1
0
$27.68
$12.65
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Late night
in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
De Pere, WI
Late night
in De Pere on Sunday
Local time
5:22 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
4h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is built for efficiency, with 94% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 51.9 miles on I-90. While the interstate segments facilitate rapid progress, the inclusion of State Highway 82 provides a transition between these major arteries. Behind the wheel, you should expect a consistent, predictable driving experience that favors speed over winding secondary roads. The route balances heavy interstate travel with necessary highway connections, ensuring you stay on track as you navigate from the western side of the state toward the De Pere area.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.9 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 41. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 67.1 miles in.
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 197.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles (State Highway 82): Navigation decision point; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
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 De Pere, WI, road signs point toward Oxford and Appleton.
Oxford
67.1 mi in|~1h 13m
Appleton
149.3 mi in|~3h 18m|via I 41; US 41
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 197.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.9 miles on I 90. 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 De Pere, 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 67.6 miles (State Highway 82): Navigation decision point; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at De Pere, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
