Origin
North La Crosse, WI
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
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
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
Lodi, WI
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between North La Crosse, WI and Lodi, WI.
Start on US 53; CTH B
Take the exit onto US 53
Continue on I 90
Take the exit
Enter roundabout onto WI 60
Continue on WI 60
Continue on WI 60
Turn left onto WI 113
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
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.
Take the exit onto US 53
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Enter roundabout onto WI 60 / State Highway 60
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto WI 113 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$19.04 one way
$38.08 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in North La Crosse on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Lodi on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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