Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Farmington, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
168.5 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
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
Farmington, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
North La Crosse, WI to Farmington, WI is 168.5 miles and takes about 3h 10m via I 90/I 94/US 53, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Wisconsin. Given its relatively short duration and primarily highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. Plan for a single day to make the most of your time, and consider the fuel estimate when budgeting for your travel expenses.
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
84.3 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 120.3 mi | 2h 8m |
| I 94 | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| County Road B | 4.6 mi | 10m |
| Rose Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| WI 26 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Milwaukee Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 120.3 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,290 veh/hr typical · worst 1,940
Quietest
2 AM
~155 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Farmington, 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
27 mi
·
28 min
·
I 94
Exit 138A
Toward I 94: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 267
Toward WI 26: Watertown, Johnson Creek
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
286 ft
·
9 sec
7
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
this road
8
Take the ramp
450 ft
·
14 sec
9
Merge onto WI 26
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
WI 26
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto CTH B
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Milwaukee Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on CTH B
4.6 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road B
12
Arrive at destination
CTH B
Trip Plan
For this 1-day trip, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Farmington without feeling rushed. The drive is manageable within a single day, so you have flexibility in your schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 90, to avoid unnecessary stops. The estimated fuel cost is around $26, so plan accordingly. Given the short duration, consider a mid-morning departure to avoid peak traffic and enjoy a more relaxed drive.
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 84.3 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 32m 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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.3 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Farmington, 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 168.5 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.3 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 120.3 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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Johnson Creek Rest Area 14
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
TA
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 135.5 and 163.5 — 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
8
162.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward WI 26: Watertown, Johnson Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 267
Toward WI 26: Watertown, Johnson Creek
5
162.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
162.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
WI 26
Merge onto WI 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
163.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
CTH B / Milwaukee Street
Turn left onto CTH B / Milwaukee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.11 one way
$56.22 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $30.55 | $61.10 |
| premium | $5.26 | $34.89 | $69.77 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $40.99 | $81.98 |
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: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.69 | $8.09 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.74 | $6.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.59 | $10.78 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Morning in North La Crosse on Monday
Local time
9:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
S 13 to 17 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Farmington, WI
Morning in Farmington on Monday
Local time
9:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
SW 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
68°F
Merrimac, WI
84 mi in
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
2 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 10m 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 75.5
Caution: Use Caution — Devil's Lake Segment
Caution: Use Caution — Tisch Mills Segment
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 96% of the 168.5 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 120.3 miles on I 90, offering consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your drive. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate these main arteries.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 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?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 135.5 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 10m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,048 ft
648 ft
Total Climb
665 ft
Total Descent
439 ft
Highest Point
1,048 ft
~36.1 mi in
Elevation Range
400 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
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 3h 10m. Total distance: 168.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
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 21 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 135.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.4 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Farmington, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
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