North La Crosse, WI to Kewaunee, WI is 228.7 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I 90 and I 41, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Wisconsin, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive that mostly sticks to major highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for an easy day trip. The route is efficient and predictable, ideal for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
114.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
51.9 mi
55m
I 41
47.4 mi
51m
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 29
11 mi
16m
State Highway 23 & 73
9.5 mi
13m
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 Kewaunee, 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
47 mi·51 min·I 41; US 41
Toward AppletonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 164B; 164AToward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 164BToward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 164BToward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward WI 172 East: East State Highway 172
34
Merge onto WI 172
5.4 mi·6 min·WI 172
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 43 South: Milwaukee
36
Merge onto I 43
1.9 mi·2 min·I 43
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 178Toward US 141, WI 29, CTH MM: Bellevue, Kewaunee
38
Keep slight left at fork
174 ft·4 sec
39
Turn left onto US 141
0.4 mi·43 sec·Elm View Road
40
Turn left onto US 141
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street
41
Turn right onto WI 29
0.3 mi·24 sec·Kewaunee Road
42
Enter roundabout onto WI 29
106 ft·1 sec·Kewaunee Road
43
Continue on WI 29
7.5 mi·11 min·Kewaunee Road
44
Continue on WI 29
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 29
45
Continue on WI 29
0.8 mi·1 min·Marquette Avenue
46
Continue on WI 29; CTH C
0.8 mi·1 min·Marquette Drive
47
Continue on WI 29
0.9 mi·1 min·Ellis Street
48
Arrive at destination
WI 29
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m estimated drive time, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Kewaunee with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is $31. For this drive, the main highways are I 90 and I 41, so ensure you're familiar with those routes before you set off to make your travel smoother.
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 114.4 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 2h 23m 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 50 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.4 miles or 2h 23m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kewaunee, 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 228.7 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 67.1 and 197.8 — 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
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
6
197 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 164B
Toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
6
197.8 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 164B
Toward WI 172: Austin Straubel Airport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.75 one way
$71.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.26
$78.51
premium
$4.89
$44.01
$88.02
diesel
$5.61
$50.49
$100.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.6
0
$24.01
$10.98
Efficient EV
57.2
0
$20.01
$9.15
EV Truck/SUV
91.5
1
$32.02
$14.64
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning
in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kewaunee, WI
Morning
in Kewaunee on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
5 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 56m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 94.6
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 89% of this trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 51.9 miles on I 90. After leaving the interstate system, you'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of your drive. Expect a relatively rural cruising experience for much of the way, with fewer dense exit sequences than you might find in a major metropolitan area.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 41. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.1 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 20 significant decision points across 228.7 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 67.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 149.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Kewaunee, WI, road signs point toward Oxford, Appleton and Cth Mm: Bellevue.
Oxford
67.1 mi in|~1h 13m
Appleton
149.3 mi in|~3h 18m|via I 41; US 41
Cth Mm: Bellevue
206.5 mi in|~4h 23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 228.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
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 Kewaunee, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 149.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 149.3 miles (I 41; US 41): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Kewaunee, WI, but most travelers stay overnight.
