Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 11m
Distance
198.3 mi
319 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 38m
10 AM
4h 21m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 4m
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
Grafton, WI
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
North La Crosse, WI to Grafton, WI is 198.3 miles and takes about 4h 11m via I 90 and State Highways 16/33, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and Wisconsin, offering a straightforward journey for a single day. Expect a drive that is primarily on highways, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal complexity, suitable for a quick trip between these two points.
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
99.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 88.9 mi | 1h 35m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.6 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 33 | 21.2 mi | 30m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| US 151 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 60 | 9.9 mi | 16m |
| I 41 | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| WI 60 | 4.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 88.9 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Grafton, 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
89 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 90
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft
·
4 sec
6
Turn straight onto WI 33
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
WI 33
7
Turn right onto US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Wisconsin Street
8
Continue on US 51; WI 16
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
9
Turn left onto WI 16
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 16
10
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
James Street
11
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
12
Merge onto US 151
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 151
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
14
Keep slight right at fork
228 ft
·
5 sec
15
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Park Avenue
16
Continue on WI 33
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 33
17
Continue on Washington Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
18
Turn left onto WI 33
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Main Street
19
Continue on WI 33
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Barstow Street
20
Turn straight onto WI 33
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Vine Street
21
Turn right onto WI 33; CTH E
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lake Street
22
Continue on WI 33
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 33
23
Enter roundabout onto WI 33
150 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 33
24
Continue on WI 33
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
25
Continue on WI 33
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 41 South: Milwaukee
27
Merge onto I 41; US 41
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
I 41; US 41
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 64A-B
Toward WI 60: Jackson, Hartford
Use the slight right lane.
29
Turn left onto WI 60
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
State Highway 60 East
30
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 60
31
Continue on WI 60
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 60
32
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 60
33
Continue on WI 60
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 60
34
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
125 ft
·
7 sec
·
State Highway 60
35
Continue on WI 60
420 ft
·
8 sec
·
State Highway 60
36
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
109 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 60
37
Continue on WI 60
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 60
38
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
113 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 60
39
Continue on WI 60
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 60
40
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
149 ft
·
2 sec
·
WI 60
41
Continue on WI 60
4.6 mi
·
11 min
·
WI 60
42
Turn right
78 ft
·
5 sec
43
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 11m duration, departing in the morning from North La Crosse, WI, allows ample time to reach Grafton, WI, well before evening. With only one recommended stop and 96% of the route on highways, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 88.9-mile stretch on I 90, as services might be less frequent than on local roads. Planning around this longer highway segment will ensure a smooth and uninterrupted journey.
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 99.2 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.9 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 44 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.2 miles or 1h 48m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grafton, 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 198.3 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 88.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.2 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 88.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 104.1 and 186.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
104.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward WI 33: Portage, Baraboo
5
104.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
149.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 33: Beaver Dam, Horicon
8
183 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward WI 60: Jackson, Hartford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 64A-B
Toward WI 60: Jackson, Hartford
6
186.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
WI 60 / State Highway 60
Enter roundabout onto WI 60 / State Highway 60
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.00 one way
$62.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $34.04 | $68.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.16 | $76.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.78 | $87.56 |
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: 69.4 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 | 59.5 | 0 | $20.82 | $9.52 |
| Efficient EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.76 | $12.69 |
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.
Destination
Grafton, WI
Late night in Grafton on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
9 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 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 96% of the drive utilizing major roadways like I 90 and State Highways 16 and 33. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 88.9 miles on I 90, indicating long periods of consistent speed. The character is predominantly that of a fast-paced highway drive, designed for covering ground efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing. Expect the road conditions to remain largely consistent for the majority of your journey.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.9 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 198.3 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 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 149.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Grafton, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo, Horicon and Hartford.
Baraboo
104.1 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Horicon
149.5 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Hartford
183 mi in
|
~3h 42m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 198.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.9 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 Grafton, 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 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 149.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Grafton, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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