Lyndon Station Rest Area 9
0 mi from route
Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Juneau, WI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
158.7 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
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
Juneau, WI
Anete Lusina
Trip Overview
North La Crosse, WI to Juneau, WI is 158.7 miles and takes about 3h 10m via I 90 and State Highway 16, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Wisconsin, moving you across the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip that should feel familiar to anyone who's driven in the region. With only one recommended stop and a short travel time, it’s an easy option for a single-day excursion.
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
79.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 88.9 mi | 1h 35m |
| State Highway 16 | 22.6 mi | 31m |
| US 53 | 14 mi | 15m |
| US 151 | 13.4 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 33 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| WI 33 | 4 mi | 5m |
| US Highway 51 & State Highway 16 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| West Wisconsin Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
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 Juneau, 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
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 33
17
Turn right onto WI 26
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 26
18
Continue on WI 26
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn right onto WI 26; CTH S
103 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Oak Grove Street
20
Arrive at destination
WI 26; CTH S
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 10m duration, leaving North La Crosse in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Juneau with daylight to spare. Plan for your single recommended stop to be a brief break rather than a lengthy exploration. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure your tank is topped off before you depart, as highway stretches can sometimes have fewer service areas. Since this is a manageable 158.7-mile drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your morning routine.
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 79.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 26m 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 35 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 1h 26m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Juneau, 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 158.7 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.4 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.
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
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
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
Petro Stopping Centers
2.1 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 104.1 and 149.8 — 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
4
112.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
WI 16 / State Highway 16
Turn left onto WI 16 / State Highway 16
Navigation decision point
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
5
149.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.81 one way
$49.62 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.24 | $54.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.54 | $61.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.04 | $70.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.66 | $7.62 |
| Efficient EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.89 | $6.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.22 | $10.16 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Late night in North La Crosse on Tuesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Juneau, WI
Late night in Juneau on Tuesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Portage, WI
79 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
17 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 76.6
Caution: General Advisory — Flooding Possible
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 96% of this 158.7-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on I 90 covers 88.9 miles. After that, expect a shift to surface roads as you transition to State Highway 16 and US 53. This means you'll experience a change from consistent highway speeds to navigating more local traffic and potentially more intersections as you approach Juneau.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 16. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 104.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 158.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 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 112.7 miles (WI 16 / State Highway 16): Navigation decision point.
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 Juneau, WI, road signs point toward Baraboo and Horicon.
Baraboo
104.1 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Horicon
149.5 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 158.7 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%). 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.
Yes — we found about 13 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 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 112.7 miles (WI 16 / State Highway 16): Navigation decision point.
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 Juneau, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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