North La Crosse, WI to Dover, WI is 176.8 miles and takes about 4h 36m via State Highway 13, State Highway 73, and State Highway 27, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip primarily through the Midwest region, staying within Wisconsin for the entire journey. Expect a straightforward drive focused on efficient travel between these two points. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for a direct connection without extensive detours.
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
88.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 13
39.4 mi
54m
State Highway 73
26.9 mi
46m
State Highway 27
24.6 mi
33m
US 53
14 mi
15m
State Highway 29
12.2 mi
14m
State Highway 95
8.6 mi
12m
County Highway E
7.8 mi
13m
I 90
7.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 13
— 39.4 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Dover, 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
7.8 mi·8 min·I 90
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 25Toward WI 27: Sparta, Melvina
5
Keep slight left at fork
169 ft·4 sec
6
Turn left onto WI 27
0.9 mi·1 min·South Black River Street
7
Enter roundabout onto WI 27
87 ft·1 sec·South Black River Street
8
Continue on WI 27
1.5 mi·2 min·South Black River Street
9
Continue on WI 27; WI 71
25 mi·33 min·State Highway 27
10
Continue on WI 27
0.3 mi·51 sec·Gebhardt Road
11
Continue on US 12; WI 27
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Roosevelt Road
12
Turn left onto US 12; WI 54; WI 27
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Main Street
13
Turn slight right onto US 12; WI 27
3.3 mi·5 min·US 12; WI 27
14
Turn right onto CTH E
7.8 mi·13 min·County Highway E
15
Turn left onto CTH K
0.6 mi·1 min·County Highway K
16
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J
3.4 mi·5 min·County Road J
17
Turn right onto WI 95
8.6 mi·12 min·State Highway 95
18
Continue on WI 73; WI 95
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 73
19
Turn right onto US 10; WI 73
517 ft·21 sec·West Division Street
20
Turn left onto WI 73; US 10 Bus
1.1 mi·1 min·Hewett Street
21
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Black River Road
22
Continue on WI 73
13 mi·22 min·State Highway 73
23
Continue on WI 73
2.0 mi·3 min·South Main Street
24
Continue on WI 73
11 mi·19 min·State Highway 73
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
26
Merge onto WI 29
12 mi·14 min·State Highway 29
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 131Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
28
Turn left onto WI 29 Business
0.3 mi·35 sec·Hiline Avenue
29
Continue on WI 29 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·West Spruce Street
30
Turn left onto WI 13
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on WI 13
12 mi·17 min·State Highway 13
32
Continue on WI 13
1.9 mi·4 min·South 8th Street
33
Continue on WI 13
139 ft·3 sec·North 8th Street
34
Keep slight right at fork onto WI 13
0.4 mi·57 sec·North 8th Street
35
Enter roundabout onto WI 13
126 ft·7 sec·North 8th Street
36
Continue on WI 13
0.3 mi·34 sec·North 8th Street
37
Continue on WI 13
28 mi·37 min·State Highway 13
Use the straight / left lanes.
38
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·52 sec
39
Turn right onto US 8
1.2 mi·1 min·US 8
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto CTH A
1.0 mi·2 min·County Highway A
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
Turn right onto CTH K
6.2 mi·15 min·County Road K
42
Turn right onto Spring Drive
1.0 mi·3 min·Spring Drive
43
Turn left onto West Cherry Road
65 ft·4 sec·West Cherry Road
44
Turn right onto CTH D
3.9 mi·9 min·County Highway D
45
Turn left onto CTH D
1.0 mi·2 min·County Road D
46
At end of road, turn left onto Martins Drive
30 ft·1 sec·Martins Drive
47
Arrive at destination
Martins Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 36m duration, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Dover, WI without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop to break up the 176.8 miles; this could be a good time to refuel, as the estimated fuel cost is around $28. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 39.4-mile stretch on State Highway 13, to ensure you don't need to search for a station. This route is manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility to depart when convenient.
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 88.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.4 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 39 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dover, 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 176.8 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 State Highway 13 for about 39.4 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 23 and 163.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward WI 27: Sparta, Melvina
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 25
Toward WI 27: Sparta, Melvina
5
23.3 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
62.8 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|CTH J / County Road J
At end of road, turn right onto CTH J / County Road J
Navigation decision point
6
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 131
Toward WI 29 Business: Spruce Street, Hiline Av...
6
163.6 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|CTH A / County Highway A
Turn left onto CTH A / County Highway A
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.64 one way
$55.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.35
$60.70
premium
$4.89
$34.02
$68.05
diesel
$5.61
$39.04
$78.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53
0
$18.56
$8.49
Efficient EV
44.2
0
$15.47
$7.07
EV Truck/SUV
70.7
0
$24.75
$11.32
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Night
in North La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 14 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 12:10AM CDT until April 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:47PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Dover, WI
Night
in Dover on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
31 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
4h 36m 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 route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the journey utilizing highway segments. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 39.4 miles on State Highway 13, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While primarily highway, the inclusion of State Highway 73 and State Highway 27 suggests transitions that may offer a slightly different driving experience compared to a pure interstate. Expect a consistent pace for much of the trip, allowing for efficient progress.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.4 mi on State Highway 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 13 and State Highway 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23 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 27 significant decision points across 176.8 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 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 62.8 miles (CTH J / County Road J): Navigation decision point.
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 Dover, WI, road signs begin pointing toward Melvina along the way.
Melvina
23 mi in|~26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 176.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 39.4 miles on State Highway 13. 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 Dover, 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 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 62.8 miles (CTH J / County Road J): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Dover, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
