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Trip from North La Crosse, WI to Lodi, WI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 14m

Distance

121.8 mi

196 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 5m ★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States

North La Crosse, WI

Wikimedia Commons

city in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States

Lodi, WI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from North La Crosse to Lodi, expect a straightforward journey covering 121.8 miles. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes of driving time, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With fuel costs estimated at around $19, the drive is budget-friendly and efficient for travelers crossing the Wisconsin landscape. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, specifically I-90, US-53, and State Highway 60. Since the entire trip takes place within the Midwest, the transition is seamless and familiar. This route is ideal if you prioritize speed and direct access over meandering backroads.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

60.9 miles from North La Crosse, WI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 102.1 mi 1h 49m
US 53 14 mi 15m
State Highway 60 3.8 mi 5m
Rose Street 1.2 mi 2m
Portage Street 0.4 mi 1m
South Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 102.1 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Lodi, 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

102 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 90
Use the straight lane.
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
5

Enter roundabout onto WI 60

64 ft · 1 sec · State Highway 60
6

Continue on WI 60

3.8 mi · 5 min · State Highway 60
7

Continue on WI 60

0.4 mi · 1 min · Portage Street
8

Turn left onto WI 113

34 ft · 1 sec · South Main Street
9

Arrive at destination

WI 113

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because the drive is under two and a half hours, you likely won't need an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete the journey in one go. Keep in mind that with 102.1 miles of your journey spent on a single interstate stretch, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the highway to avoid unnecessary stops. Plan to manage your fuel budget of $19 by checking prices near North La Crosse before you depart. Taking advantage of the shorter duration means you can spend more time at your destination rather than behind the wheel.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.9 miles from North La Crosse, WI, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.1 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 27 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.9 miles or 1h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lodi, 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 121.8 miles and 2h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from North La Crosse, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 102.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Mauston, WI, WI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mauston, WI

61 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

Angelo, WI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mauston, WI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.9 miles from North La Crosse, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.1 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

4 of 4

4 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 121.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 53

Take the exit onto US 53

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

3
117.3 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

7
117.5 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | WI 60 / State Highway 60

Enter roundabout onto WI 60 / State Highway 60

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

3
121.8 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | WI 113 / South Main Street

Turn left onto WI 113 / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.04 one way

$38.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.91 $41.81
premium $4.89 $23.44 $46.88
diesel $5.61 $26.89 $53.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.5 0 $12.79 $5.85
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.66 $4.87
EV Truck/SUV 48.7 0 $17.05 $7.80

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

North La Crosse, WI

Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday

Local time

5:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lodi, WI

Late night in Lodi on Sunday

Local time

5:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

10 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

2h 14m 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

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 79.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 98 percent of the trip spent on high-speed routes. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 102.1 miles along I-90. While the interstate segments provide a fast-paced experience, the final transition onto State Highway 60 shifts the feel of the road as you approach Lodi. Because the route is so heavily reliant on major thoroughfares, you can expect consistent road conditions throughout the 2-hour duration. It is a no-nonsense path designed for those who want to get from point A to point B with minimal navigation stress.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.1 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 53. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 53.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from North La Crosse, WI to Lodi, WI is easy. At 2h 14m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.5 miles (WI 60 / State Highway 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 121.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 102.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 1.2 miles (US 53): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.5 miles (WI 60 / State Highway 60): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Yes — Ice Age National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lodi, WI before heading back.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Lodi, WI to North La Crosse, WI

Plan the drive back the other way.

122.3 mi 2h 15m

Explore more options from North La Crosse, WI or browse trips ending in Lodi, WI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WI road trips.